Diagnostic Services
The Ministry, in cooperation with key stakeholders, is pleased to announce the creation of a new clinical guideline for sleep apnea. The guideline is a companion resource to the provincial Standard Requisition for Home Sleep Apnea Testing.
Important Changes for individuals submitting Diagnostic Facilities Services’ Assignment of Payment (AOP) and Medical Director Authorization, please see the AOP page.
Moratoriums on Outpatient Diagnostic Facility Applications
For the Current Moratorium on Applications for Outpatient Polysomnography click here
For the Current Moratorium on Applications for Outpatient Ultrasound click here
Outpatient diagnostic services are provided in approved facilities in both community and hospital settings. A diagnostic facility is defined as “a facility, place or office principally equipped for prescribed diagnostic services, studies or procedures, and includes any branches of a diagnostic facility.”
On this page...
- Diagnostic Facilities Administration
- Diagnostic Service Modalities
- Advisory Committee on Diagnostic Facilities
- Policies and Guidelines
- Assignment of Payment
- Payment Schedule, Categories, and Fee Items
- Approved Diagnostic Outpatient Requisition Forms
Diagnostic Facilities Administration
Diagnostic Facilities Administration supports the application process for new, expansion and relocation of publicly-owned and privately-owned outpatient diagnostic facilities through the Advisory Committee on Diagnostic Facilities (ACDF), a committee of the Medical Services Commission (MSC).
Diagnostic Service Modalities
The following modalities, within the Medical Services Commission’s Payment Schedule, have been deemed ‘restricted.’ Any facility that wishes to provide and bill BC’s Medical Services Plan for these services requires approval from the Advisory Committee on Diagnostic Facilities or the Medical Services Commission. The restricted diagnostic modalities include:
- diagnostic radiology
- diagnostic ultrasound (including TTE & TEE)
- nuclear medicine scanning
- polysomnography
- pulmonary function
- electromyography (EMG)
- electroencephalography (EEG)
For information on laboratory services including the Laboratory Services Payment Schedule; Schedules of Benefits for Referring Practitioners; Facility Approval Applications; and Operator Payment Administration forms, please see: www.gov.bc.ca/laboratoryservices.
Advisory Committee on Diagnostic Facilities
The Advisory Committee on Diagnostic Facilities is a committee of the Medical Services Commission that provides advice, assistance, and recommendations to support the Medical Services Commission’s powers, duties, and functions in relation to outpatient diagnostic services and facilities.
Any publicly or privately-owned diagnostic facility in British Columbia intending to bill BC’s Medical Services Plan for outpatient services, must first apply for a new, relocation, or expansion Certificate of Approval.
- Learn more about the Advisory Committee on Diagnostic Facilities
- Check here for final decisions concerning application approvals or denials:
Key Decisions Made by the Committee - Committee Meeting Schedule
- Application and Notification Forms
Policies and Guidelines
- Policies and Guidelines for Diagnostic Outpatient Facilities
- Moratorium on applications for outpatient diagnostic ultrasound and polysomnography facilities
Assignment of Payment
July 26, 2020: Important changes for individuals submitting Diagnostic Facilities Services’ Assignment of Payment and Medical Director Authorization. Click here for more details.
Payment Schedule, Categories, and Fee Items
Payment to approved diagnostic facilities is on a fee-for-service basis and is facilitated through the Diagnostic Services Assignment of Payment process.
Approved Diagnostic Outpatient Requisition Forms
Requisition forms approved by the Medical Services Commission for provincial use.
