In this edition:

• Annual General Meetings
• Fee Code Updates
• GIM Audits
• DoBC Committee Opportunities
• Leadership Awards *extended deadline*
• SGIMBC Executive Updates
• Support for FHA GIM
• Practice Updates

Fee Code Updates

The Executive would like to update you all with good news about our GIM Fee Codes.

ALL of our Fee Codes (ie 311, 32308, 32307, 32210, 32208, 32207, etc) have now been made permanent.

This means that the remuneration comes from the general “pot” of MSP money and thus they are not subject to fee reductions. Further, we can now use our disparity funding (currently around $7 million inclusive of the most recent award) to further increase GIM remuneration.

The Executive Committee is currently working with MSP to determine which codes will be increased (and by how much) and we should have a further update at the AGM.

Click here for general fee code and billing information.

GIM Audits

Despite the lengths that we have gone to take care of patients during the pandemic (as clearly evidenced by the above), there has been an uptick in Audits among our members.  This greatly concerns us and is also something that we are actively monitoring.  We are looking for proactive solutions to protect our members and we are hoping to have a more robust update at our AGM.  

Doctors of BC has some billing and audit resources as well as a number of contacts that may be helpful for those looking for additional information.

There continues to be a shortage of GIM Auditors and anyone with an interest is strongly encouraged to apply.  A lack of auditors does NOT protect us from audit, but may result in a subspecialist auditing a GIM physician. 

Please contact Tara Hamilton if you are interested in becoming a Medical Inspector for GIM.

GIM Leadership Awards

A reminder to submit your nominations for the GIM Awards. The deadline has been extended to October 31st, 2023. 

1. Early Leadership Award:
   To recognize the leadership role of SGIMBC members who are within the early years of their career. $1000 will be awarded. 
2. Career Leadership Award:
   To recognize the leadership role of SGIMBC members who are well established in their GIM career. $1000 will be awarded. 
3. Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Champion Award:
   To recognize the champion role of SGIMBC members as it relates to equity, diversity and inclusion within the medical community. $1000 will be awarded. 
4. Doctors of BC Committee Award:
   To acknowledge members in good standing who are successful in being appointed to a Doctors of BC committee with a one-time award of $500.

Please submit documentation to membership@sgimbc.org. Winners will be announced at the December AGM and highlighted in the subsequent SGIMBC Newsletter.

DoBC Committee Opportunities

Are you a Doctors of BC member in good-standing who wants to get involved in the association at a meaningful level?  Having GIM representation on DoBC committees ensures GIM issues and needs are front and centre when decisions are being made that impact our community. 

DoBC currently has a number of committees that are accepting applications including:

Joint Standing Committee on Rural Issues
Doctors of BC is seeking applications for one Rural Family Physician Alternate Member position on the Joint Standing Committee on Rural Issues (JSC).

The goals of the JSC are to enhance the availability and stability of services provided by physicians in smaller urban, rural and remote areas of British Columbia by addressing some of the uniquely demanding and difficult circumstances attendant upon the provision of those services by physicians.

All applicants must be a member in good standing of the Doctors of BC.

CLOSING DATE 11:59 PM (PST) ON NOVEMBER 14, 2023

** A reminder of the SGIMBC Leadership Award for GIM physicians who are successful in being appointed to a DoBC committee with an associated monetary award of $500**

SGIMBC Executive Updates

The Executive Committee has had a number of changes in its membership.

Dr. Stephane Voyer, Dr. Graham Lea, Dr. Robert Shaw, Dr. David Shanks, Dr. Denise Jaworsky and Dr. Ritu Kumar have stepped down from their positions.

Dr. Casey Chan, Dr. Jasdeep Saluja, Dr. Roopjeet Kahlon, Dr. Mike Pascas, Dr. Terence Yung and Dr. Faraz Moein joined the committee as new members. In addition, Dr. Jennifer Grace re-joined the committee in the Past-President role. 

Support for FHA GIM

Recently the GIM physicians working in the Fraser Health Authority reached out to SGIMBC for support with the challenges their members are facing related to their expanding GIM roles in hospitals and need for fair remuneration within the Fraser Health Authority.

The Executive unanimously agreed to provide support for these GIM physicians being given the ‘Internal Medicine Subspecialty’ rate of APP as Doctors of BC recognizes GIM physicians as subspecialists and thus they should be monetarily compensated as such.

The Executive also strongly suggested using the same criteria as MSP to determine GIM eligibility to ensure consistent and equitable compensation.

Adequate and fair remuneration is essential to support and sustain ongoing, complex care for patients across BC.

Practice Updates

SPECIAL AUTHORITY UPDATE

FreeStyle Libre 2 now covered for Diabetics (Type 1 or 2) on multiple daily insulin injections.