By rdnewsNOW staff

complex modifiers

Alberta cancels changes to physicians’ payments for complex modifiers

Mar 17, 2020 | 4:22 PM

EDMONTON – The Government of Alberta will not proceed with changes to physicians’ payments for complex modifiers on March 31.

“During these unprecedented times, we want to ensure physicians on the front lines can focus solely on providing patient care,” Health Minister Tyler Shandro says in a release. “We’ve heard concerns that this change would result in what has been called ‘10-minute medicine.’ While we respectfully disagree with that characterization, we are nevertheless halting this change so that doctors can concentrate on the critical tasks at hand.”

A physician compensation advisory committee will be created to look into all aspects of the physician services funding model and make recommendations to support the delivery of patient-focused health services.

“We appreciate the removal of the complex (time) modifier from Alberta Health’s physician funding framework,” says Dr. Christine Molnar, president of the Alberta Medical Association. This is a significant step in supporting patients and physicians. There is still work to be done. We will work in any venue to advance patient care and to reach a formal agreement between physicians and Alberta Health.”

Complex modifiers provide incentives to doctors to spend more time with patients who have complex medical needs.

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The first modifier that general practitioners bill for a visit will remain at the 15-minute mark at the current rate of $18.48. Other complex modifiers will remain at their current rates and time requirements.

Alternatives to fee-for-service and complex modifiers will be developed with the assistance of the physician compensation advisory committee, which will be made up of the public, physicians and Alberta Health.

“It is an important step forward that Minister Shandro has begun to realize how irresponsible and dangerous his attack on doctors during a pandemic is,” said David Shepherd, NDP Opposition Critic for Health. “But it is incomprehensible that he is pressing forward with other changes that will weaken Alberta’s pandemic response.”