Annual retention benefits are paid to physicians working in eligible communities covered under the Rural Subsidiary Agreement (RSA). The incentive program was designed to enhance the supply and stability of physicians in RSA communities.
The Program
A physician’s individual premium is determined by the number of isolation points assigned to his or her community: 30% of medical isolation points are paid as a flat fee amount, while the remaining 70% are paid as a fee-for-service premium. Physicians who are paid by a method other than fee-for-service will receive a retention payment equivalent to the fee-for-service premium, and the flat fee sum. Physicians must meet eligibility requirements in order to qualify for the flat fee sum.
Isolation point ratings are based on a number of factors, including the number of GPs in the community, and the distance of the community from a major medical community. The Joint Standing Committee on Rural Issues (JSC) administers the RRP and determines the value of retention premiums. RSA communities must have a minimum of 6.0 isolation points to qualify for retention payments.
If a physician lives in an RSA community but practices in a different RSA community, he or she will receive the fee premium and flat sum premium for the community where he or she practices.
For communities without a resident physician, or with a vacancy, the total isolation points will be applied as a fee premium, to a maximum of 30%.
The fee-for-service premium is automatically paid as long as the Service Clarification Code of the community where the service is provided is on the Medical Services Plan (MSP) claim.
Eligibility
- Physicians must reside and practice in an eligible RSA community for at least nine months per year.
- Physicians must bill equal to or greater than $65,000 in the previous calendar year.
Rural Retention Program Policy Framework for Health Authorities by the Ministry of Health – Updated June 2012
For information contact:
Physician Compensation
Rural Practice Programs
Ministry of Health Services
3-2, 1515 Blanshard Street
Victoria, BC, V8W 3C8
P: 250 952-2754
F: 250 952-3486
hlth.ruralprograms@gov.bc.ca
www.health.gov.bc.ca/pcb/rural.html
Doctors of BC (formerly BC Medical Association)
#115 – 1665 West Broadway
Vancouver, BC, V6J 5A4
TFP in BC: 1 800 665-2262
P: 604 736-5551
RuralPrograms@doctorsofbc.ca
doctorsofbc.ca
