Video and telephone physician consultations made permanent
By Medicine Hat News on June 10, 2020.
The telephone and video doctor consultations that patients were introduced to during the COVID-19 lockdown will now continue, says Alberta Health. Minister of Health Tyler Shandro says these visits have been valuable, and by making them permanent, physicians will be appropriately compensated. The new billing codes introduced a few months ago for doctors to use for these types of consultations will now be permanent. Shandro says the virtual care options have been an important part of the COVID-19 response. It protected patients, doctors and clinic staff by having an alternative to office visits. Virtual services will be offered by physicians and specialists where appropriate. Permanent billing codes include patient visits, consultations and mental health services provided over the phone or through secure video conference. In-person physician and specialist care will also continue. The permanent virtual codes will not be subject to the daily patient visit cap imposed on physicians. Rates vary depending on specialty and service, and are the same as current basic in-person rates. 9-8
