Presently physicians are not remunerated for telephone prescription renewals. The only time physicians are paid are when they see a patient in person. Telephone prescription renewals are very convenient for many patients since this saves patients the time of making a doctors appointment and possibly spending some time and money for travel and parking. Some patients get their prescriptions renewed at walkin clinics, an option that may be convenient for patients, but results in a cost to the government of $25-$30 for each visit and results in fragmentation of medical care. The mediator between BC Government and the BCMA proposed a solution which would have simplified the procedure, and potentially saved the government money; namely introduction of a billing code for telephone prescription renewals which would be remunerated at a rate equal to 25% of that of an office visit, or about $8. This fee item is one that the BC government has rejected.

Physicians are liable for any adverse consequences of a prescription renewed over the telephone, and telephone prescription renewals require time of office staff to process. Accordingly, no further telephone prescriptions will be allowed except in exceptional cases. For those patients who wish to avail themselves of this service, telephone prescription renewals will be available at a cost of $10 (if paid in cash) or $15 (if paying by Visa). Telephone prescription renewals are not an MSP benefit and it should be noted that the BCMA suggests charging patients a fee of $19 for each telephone prescription renewal. I have set my fees to more closely reflect the costs of providing this service in the office.

PhoneRxMay2002a Mon 27-May-2002