$20 H1N1 pandemic telephone fee
AMA President Dr. Christopher J. (Chip) Doig updates the October 30, 2009 President's Letter
Effective October 30, 2009, a new health service code -- 03.01AD -- has been added to the Schedule of Medical Benefits to allow physicians to bill fee-for-service for pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza-related advice to patients via telephone.
This follows a decision by Dr. Andre Corriveau, Alberta's chief medical officer of health.
03.01AD
Telephone advice to a patient or their agent [agent as defined in the Personal Directives Act (RSA 2007c37s3)] regarding H1N1 virus............$20
NOTE:
- May only be claimed when a declaration of a public health emergency is made pursuant to 52.1(1) of the Public Health Act ; or when the Chief Medical Officer of Health determines, in his discretion, that it is appropriate to implement this health service code even though a public health emergency has not been declared.
- May only be claimed for direct physician telephone advice provided to a patient or their agent about the patient's suspected or active H1N1 symptoms.
- May only be claimed when the request for advice is initiated by a patient or their agent.
- May only be claimed once per patient, per physician, per day.
- Benefit includes providing a new prescription or prescription renewal if provided.
- May not be claimed for providing general information on H1N1.
- May not be claimed for services provided through Health Link.
- Documentation of the request and advice given must be recorded.
Alternate relationship plan (ARP) physicians are eligible to submit fee-for-service claims for 03.01AD. When applicable, ARP physicians should submit claims for 03.01AD in the same way they submit their other claims. These 03.01AD claims will be processed as fee-for-service claims and paid to the ARP Business Arrangement.