The GPSC recognizes the pressure on divisional infrastructure and A GP for Me budgets due to the 5.8% increase in sessional fees made effective April 1, 2015. At its April meeting, the committee agreed to provide divisions an increase in these budgets for the 2015/16 fiscal year to cover the difference in fees. Details of this support are covered below.
The GPSC also recognizes the need for greater participation of physicians and Coordinators/Executive Directors at regional collaborative tables. To this end, the committee has allocated additional funding support to ensure that divisions of family practice can participate effectively and meaningfully in strategic interdivisional and regional collaboration. Details of this support are covered below.
If you have any further questions, please contact the provincial Divisions office.
Q&A
Sessional rate funding
What are the new sessional rates for GPs and specialists and when did they go into effect?
The new sessional rate for GPs is $435.90 ($124.54/hour) and for specialists is $514.19 ($146.91/hour). The new rates went into effect on April 1, 2015.
How are funding amounts calculated and paid?
Funding amounts are calculated for each division based on the following formula: Calculating 5.8% of 50% of the division’s infrastructure funding. These funds will be provided as a separate addendum with your infrastructure funding allocation.
What will be covered and retroactive to when?
Divisions can apply these funds to sessional payments for non-clinical (i.e., committee and change management) services provided by physicians on projects initiated using division infrastructure funds. Divisions can apply their additional funds to sessional increases retroactive to April 1, 2015.
Additional funding for sessional payments for non-clinical services provided by physicians on A GP for Me and Shared Care projects is under discussion. Information will be provided by the provincial A GP for Me and Shared Care programs, respectively.
Are divisions required to do anything to initiate provision of these additional funds?
No. And divisions will not need to submit separate sessional payment requests to the provincial Divisions office.
Funding for strategic interdivisional/regional activities
How are funding amounts calculated and paid?
Funding is calculated on the basis of 30 hours per physician, for two physicians (total of 60 hours), plus travel and accommodation costs as needed. These funds will be provided as a separate addendum with your infrastructure funding allocation.
What costs will these funds cover?
The funds will cover the costs of physician participation at regional collaborative tables, as well as travel and accommodation. Funds can also be used to cover the cost of travel (not wages) for division Coordinators and Executive Directors.
Will the provincial Divisions office hold and disperse payments to divisions for physician participation in strategic interdivisional/regional activities, as it has in the past?
No. Divisions will be responsible for paying their members directly.