RN(C)s, RPN(C)s and RNs, RPNs

This page has information on enrolling with MSP for registered nurses (RNs), registered psychiatric nurses (RPNs), certified registered nurses (RN(C)s), and certified registered psychiatric nurses (RPN(C)s), to support their ability to refer for laboratory testing.

On this page:

Read more about legislation governing RN(C)s/RPN(C)s and RNs/RPNs and clinical records.

Certified practice

RNs who hold a certified practice designation may use the title “Registered Nurse (Certified)” or the abbreviation “RN(C)”. They have an expanded scope of practice in one or more of five practice categories:

• Remote practice
• Reproductive health – contraceptive management
• Reproductive health – sexually transmitted infections
• RN first call
• Opioid use disorder

RPNs who hold a certified practice designation may use the title “Registered Psychiatric Nurse (Certified)” or the abbreviation RPN(C). They have an expanded scope of practice in one category:

• Opioid use disorder

Learn more about certified practice for RNs and certified practice for RPNs.

Enrolment with MSP

RN(C)s, RPN(C)s, RNs and RPNs are eligible to enrol with MSP and obtain a unique MSP practitioner number. The practitioner number authorizes the requisition of selected laboratory medicine tests for eligible MSP beneficiaries and allows laboratories performing these services to submit claims to MSP for remittance.

For all nurses, MSP enrolment is contingent on continued registration with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM). For RN(C)s and RPN(C)s, enrolment is contingent as well on the maintenance of a certified practice designation.

If an RN(C), RPN(C) with an existing MSP practitioner number becomes a nurse practitioner, they will need to apply for a new MSP practitioner number.

If an RN or RPN with an existing MSP practitioner number becomes certified in any of the five certified practice categories, they will need to apply for a new MSP practitioner number.

When an MSP practitioner number is needed

All nurses should check with their employer about whether an MSP practitioner number is required in their role and setting. 

Nurses working in inpatient settings, including emergency departments, hospitals and diagnostic and treatment centres, may not need to enrol for an MSP practitioner number. 

Nurses working in community settings are more likely to require their own MSP practitioner number for the ordering of laboratory tests – especially if the nurse refers the patient for specimen collection at an outpatient or community laboratory facility. 

How to enrol

Complete form HLTH 2998 – Application for MSP practitioner number (nurse/registered nurse/registered psychiatric nurse) (PDF, 714KB).

In addition to the form, you should submit a copy of your BCCNM registration. Refer to the BCCNM online directory. Sign and mail the form and copy of your registration to:

Health Insurance BC, Provider Programs
PO Box 9840 Stn Prov Govt, Victoria B.C. V8W 9E7

You can also fax your application to 250-405-3592

Health Insurance BC (HIBC) will mail written confirmation of your enrollment with MSP and your MSP practitioner number.

Note: You are responsible for informing HIBC of any changes to the information provided in your application form, including (but not limited to) your registration status with the BCCNM.

Eligible clients and services

Eligible clients

Eligible clients include residents of B.C. who are enrolled with MSP and thus have a Personal Health Number (PHN). The client's PHN, along with the nurse's MSP practitioner number, must be included on the laboratory test requisition. 

If the client is not enrolled with MSP because they are travelling from out-of-province or out-of-Canada, the laboratory may not be able to accept the requisition and/or they may require the client to pay out-of-pocket. Payment for these services is the responsibility of the individual.

One exception is for residents of Canadian provinces/territories (except Quebec),as there is a reciprocal billing system is in place. For these patients, the ordering practitioner is to enter the client's medical insurance number (from their home province/territory), birth date, and province code in the appropriate fields on the laboratory requisition.

Please note that any laboratory services referred for international patients without Canadian or B.C. medical insurance are not covered by MSP. Payment for these services is the responsibility of the individual.

Ordering laboratory services

The Health Professions Act, Nurses (Registered) and Nurse Practitioners Regulation and Nurses (Registered Psychiatric) Regulation permit RN(C)s, RPN(C)s, RNs and RPNs to perform certain activities, such as requesting certain laboratory medicine services according to their designation. 

Standards for ordering laboratory services are set out in the:

• RN Screening and Diagnostic Tests & Imaging practice standard
• RPN Screening and Diagnostic Tests & Imaging practice standard

Clinical guidance related to some tests can be found in the BCCDC Communicable Disease Control Manual.

RN(C)s and RPN(C)s

RN(C)s and RPN(C)s can only refer patients for the list of medically necessary fee-for-service laboratory tests set out in the relevant Laboratory Services Referral Schedule (schedule B) as approved within scope by the BCCNM and the BCCNM-approved Decision Support Tools (DSTs) for RN(C)s and RPN(C)s. Tests must be approved by the nurse's employer.

RN Certified Practice Decision Support Tools & Competencies – Nurses and Nurse Practitioners of British Columbia (NNPBC)

• For certified nursing practice designations: Contraceptive management, remote nursing, RN first call

Decision Support Tools for Opioid Use Disorder – British Columbia Centre on Substance Use (BCCSU)

• For certified practice designation: Opioid use disorder

STI Certified Practice – BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC)

• For certified practice designation: Sexually transmitted infections

RNs and RPNs

RNs and RPNs are permitted to order fee-for-service laboratory medicine tests for the purposes of communicable disease prevention and management as set out in the relevant Laboratory Services Referral Schedule (schedule D). RNs and RPNs may also order globally funded laboratory medicine services; a list within nursing scope of practice is available on the PLMS website, under the heading "Related nursing scope of practice tests".

How to make an outpatient referral

To make an outpatient referral to an approved laboratory facility for an MSP funded laboratory test, complete the following steps:

1. Use the HLTH 1901 – Standard out-patient laboratory requisition (PDF, 628KB) form, or equivalent. Complete all fields. This information ensures test results are sent to the appropriate ordering practitioner/worksite. 

2. If copies to a physician are required, complete the Copy To Physician/MSP Practitioner Number section (upper right-hand side of form).

3. Select the appropriate box(es) on the requisition for the test or tests being ordered or use the Free Text box.

4. Sign and date the form before providing it to the patient.

Prohibitions

Under the Medicare Protection Act and Medical and Health Care Services Regulation, certain restrictions apply to the submission of claims to MSP.

Services to a family member

It is recommended that an RN(C), RPN(C), RN or RPN not provide services directly to a family member. Please refer to the BCCNM Practice Standard Boundaries in the nurse-client relationship.

Use of another practitioner's MSP number

An RN(C), RPN(C), RN or RPN cannot request a service under another medical or health care practitioner’s MSP number. The RN(C), RPN(C), RN or RPN whose MSP practitioner number is recorded on the laboratory referral as the ordering practitioner assumes full responsibility for the service provided and acting on the results.

Delegation of services

An RN(C), RPN(C), RN or RPN  can only delegate the provision of services to another person as per the BCCNM Practice Standard Delegating tasks to unregulated care providers (PDF, 172KB).