Preparing to start billing in BC as a new physician? We’ve taken the confusion out of the process with this 5-step guide. Here are the steps you need to take: Step 1: Gain Licensure in BC If you haven’t already, apply for your independent practice registration through physiciansapply. To start the process, choose “Application for Medical Registration.” The preliminary document you complete and submit here will be sent to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC (CPSBC). The CPSBC will take approximately one week to review your application and confirm your eligibility. You will receive an email with a detailed request for documentation, including your degree, CV, references, ID and more. Once you’ve sent the required documentation and the CPSBC has confirmed receipt, processing time for evaluating your credentials and granting your licence generally takes around 6 weeks. Apply For Licensure Step 2: Apply for Your MSP Billing Number (Practitioner & Payee Numbers) Confusion over these numbers is common since your practitioner and payee numbers can be one in the same or two different numbers. Here’s how it works: Practitioner numberThis number stays with you throughout your career and identifies you as the physician who provides service. Your practitioner number is also what other physicians will use as your referring or consultant physician number. Payee numberThis number may start out identical to your practitioner number, but you may use multiple payee numbers throughout your career. Payee numbers identify the person or group to which payment is to be made. You will receive both a practitioner and payee number when you apply for an MSP billing number. In most cases for new physicians, the practitioner and payee numbers are initially the same 5-digit number. However, there are several scenarios you may encounter throughout your career where you will require a different or additional payee number. For example: You will need additional payee numbers if you bill at multiple locations (a single payee number can only be used to bill with a single billing service/EMR) Your payee number will differ from your practitioner number when you designate a practitioner or group other than yourself to receive your MSP payments (E.G. in some locum or shared clinic payee number situations) If you are not incorporating right away, you will apply for a new payee number once you incorporate Apply For Practitioner & Payee Numbers Step 3: Connect Your MSP Billing Number to a Billing Service Once you have your practitioner and payee numbers, you will need to choose a billing service in order to submit claims to MSP. Claims get submitted through Teleplan, so new physicians will complete a Teleplan Application (when receiving payments directly) or an Assignment of Payment Application (when designating payments for service to another party). If you are choosing Dr.Bill as your billing service, you can complete and submit either document electronically. Simply create your Dr.Bill account and follow the prompts to choose the correct application. Then complete, sign and submit your e-documents. If you are choosing another billing service, you can complete the correct forms for your situation and submit them by mail. Sign up for Dr.Bill or See All Forms Online Step 4: Set Up Direct Deposit Setting up direct deposit with MSP allows your payments to flow directly to your bank account. Ensure you have opened a business (versus personal) bank account for your payments. Keep in mind that banks often offer fee waivers, rebates, and other benefits specifically for healthcare professionals opening business bank accounts. If you choose Dr.Bill as your billing service, you can complete and submit the MSP direct deposit form electronically from your account. Other billing providers may or may not provide electronic direct deposit form submission. However, you can always mail your completed form to MSP. Sign up for Dr.Bill or View Mailable Direct Deposit Form Step 5: Secure Other Memberships and Privileges Remember that ensuring all other registrations are completed in a timely manner is critical to uninterrupted billing, including, Hospital Privileges Apply directly through the hospital where you intend to work or care for your hospital inpatients. You will be required to provide various documents, including a copy of your medical licence, proof of insurance and CV. CMPA (Canadian Medical Protective Association) Coverage Once you get your practice licence and have a job and work address, you must update your CMPA coverage to reflect your new status. If you are transitioning from postgraduate training to practice, you can defer payment of CMPA membership fees for up to 6 months Memberships Update your membership status with Doctors of BC, the CMA and any other professional groups you may belong to. Specialty-Specific Requirements Though rare, your specialty may require an additional step for billing. For example, general internists must contact the CPSBC for approval to bill GIM fee codes. Helpful Resources Find the codes and best practices you need to start billing successfully: Medical Services Commission Fee Schedule The Ultimate MSP Billing Guide Searchable MSP Fee Codes Database College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC Common MSP Billing Mistakes (And How To Fix Them) GPSC Billing How-To Video Series Contact Us For Help Questions? We’re experts in helping new physicians connect credentials and check all the boxes to get started billing. Contact us for support and we will get back to you within 24 hours. Solutions Designed For The Unique Needs Of Your Practice Get a $150 Credit when you sign up for Dr.Bill*. No credit card required. Terms & conditions apply Learn More
1/* When you sign up for the Comprehensive Plan (fee of 1.95% of paid claims per billing cycle) with Dr.Bill you will receive a $150 billing credit (“Billing Credit”) to be applied to future Dr.Bill fees ( “Offer”). Offer is only available to new Dr.Bill users and can only be used once. Billing Credit cannot be converted to cash. If you cancel your Dr.Bill account or switch to the Essentials Plan at any time before the Billing Credit balance has reached $0, you will forfeit the balance of the Billing Credit. Offer cannot be applied retroactively and may not be combined or used in conjunction with any other Dr.Bill offer. Offer is only available in provinces where Dr.Bill operates. Offer may be amended or withdrawn at any time without notice. 2Up to $7,500 in billings free refers to the maximum amount of billings with a fee rate of 1.95% of paid claims that the $150 billing credit would cover in full. You will be charged for any additional services requested outside of the Comprehensive plan.
Already an MDBilling.ca client? It’s business as usual and you’ll still be using the same product you’ve come to know and trust for your medical billing. Click here to sign in to your MDBilling.ca account as you normally would.
Looking for MDBilling.ca? You’re in the right place! Dr.Bill and MDBilling.ca have come together to make it even easier to find the right codes, submit claims and get paid.