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Physician Compensation & Recruitment

Last updated on February 13, 2025

There are two main physician compensation models in B.C: fee-for-service and the Alternative Payment program. Physicians can also receive funding through rural practice programs, which focus on recruiting and retaining physicians in rural practice, and through the Medical On-Call Availability program, which compensates physicians for being on call.

Effective February 1, 2023, eligible physicians will also be able to submit claims under the Longitudinal Family Physician (LFP) payment model. An alternative to the fee-for-service model, the LFP model compensates family doctors for time, patient encounters, and overall size and complexity of patient panels.

The Alternative Payments program works with and funds health authorities to improve service delivery and patients’ access to services through alternative physician compensation models to fee-for service.

PCN Family Physician Contracts

Group Contract for practicing full-service family physicians

The B.C. Ministry of Health has introduced a new group contract option for B.C.’s family physicians. The group contract is for full-service family physicians with established patient panels who work together to provide community longitudinal care. It provides choice for family physicians who want to move away from fee-for-service (FFS) and practice in a different way.

The ministry consulted with Doctors of BC during the development of the contract, which support the ministry’s ongoing efforts to transform primary care in the province through the patient medical home (PMH) and primary care network (PCN) initiatives. The contract requires physicians to align their services with the principles of the PMH. Physicians must participate in an existing PCN or commit to actively support the development of a PCN in the community, where one is planned.

Established group practices of three or more full service family physicians with an interest in the Practicing Full-Service Family Physician Group Contract, are encouraged to visit the Doctors of BC’s website and review resources including:

  • A contract template;
  • A recorded contract webinar; and,
  • A contract FAQ.

Groups wishing to participate in a formal expression of interest (EOI) process for the contract are required to complete a ministry EOI Form, available here (PDF, 575KB).

To align with PCN planning and implementation efforts and to manage the volume of demand, the ministry will be accepting EOIs in a staged approach.

Stage 1: EOIs will be accepted from physician groups in communities with PCNs with approved plans and implementation underway. Communities included in the first stage of the EOI process outlined in the table below.

Community Health Service Area (CHSA) and their associated PCN.

If you are not certain of your CHSA, enter your address in the Health Geographies Portal.

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Stage 2 of EOI process will include communities in final stages of PCN planning. Information on communities included in stage 2 will be provided prior to stage 2 intake. Clinics eligible under stage 1 may continue to submit during stage 2.

Stage 3 of EOI process will include all communities. Physicians who are in communities without approved PCN plans in place must be willing to commit to participating in the PCN when available once plans are approved.

When the EOI form is ready for submission, please contact PCN.Compensation@gov.bc.ca

If you have questions about the EOI process, please contact PCN.Compensation@gov.bc.ca.

Individual Contract for new-to-practice family physicians

The revised new to practice contracts will continue to be available to family physicians without a patient panel who are interested in opening up a longitudinal practice. Access to these will be through a similar process that currently exists in relationship to PCN planning. If there is interest within one of the communities listed above, please contact your Division of Family Practice to discuss opportunities within your PCN. Outside of PCN communities, we will be considering these requests at the Ministry in relation to overall primary care need in the community, and as an early draw on future PCN plans. Please contact your Division of Family Practice to coordinate discussion and next steps.

Rural Practice Programs

Rural Practice Programs work with health authorities and other partners to address issues, and develop policy and programs to improve health services in rural areas of the province. Rural Practice Programs manages a number of programs such as the Rural Retention program and programs under the Subsidiary Agreement for Physicians in Rural Practice.

Medical On-Call Availability Program

The Medical On-Call/Availability Program (MOCAP) compensates physicians who are part of a call rotation (or physician group) for providing new or unassigned patients requiring emergency care with continuous coverage that meets the standards of care as a minimum requirement of response to emergency on call.

Return of Service Programs

Physician Return of Service (ROS) programs support patient access to physician health services in B.C. The Province funds a set number of training positions and assessments for physicians. In exchange, participating physicians complete a ROS practicing in a B.C. community. Participants sign a contract with the Province that details the ROS commitment. 

 

There is one main negotiated agreement, the Physician Master Agreement, covers the relationship and economic arrangements between the Government of British Columbia and the Doctors of BC. There are a few Physician Master Subsidiary Agreements included as appendices.

Physician Compensation Branch
Ministry of Health
PO Box 9649 Victoria, BC V8W 9P4

Email: HLTH.PhysicianComp@gov.bc.ca
Fax: 250 952-3486

Rural Practice Programs
Email: HLTH.RuralPrograms@gov.bc.ca
Phone: 250 952-2754