The Clinical Stabilization Business Costs Program (BCP) is designed to support physician practices where rising operating costs are affecting clinic sustainability. While the program is available to all physicians, office-based family medicine and specialist physicians with higher overhead costs will experience the most benefit.
BCP payments are claimed through a fee modifier applied to eligible HSC codes for services provided in eligible office locations - no application is required.
- In 2017, the BCP payment rate was equalized with one rate for the entire province
- Effective April 1, 2022, the rate was increased to $3.59
Program Eligibility & Claims
- Locations are eligible if registered with Preventative and Primary Health Services (PPHS) as an OFFC (practitioner office) or DIAG office (diagnostic imaging facility). If not registered, contact H-Link.
- Claims details are available on the Clinical Stabilization Business Cost Program Details Report (BCP Details Report) which is issued on the same schedule as the Statement of Assessment. See BCP Details Report Sample (page 3)
- BCP payments are issued one week after fee-for-service claims are processed and are identified on the Statement of Account with the description “Business Cost PGM”
- cARP physicians must submit BCP claims through Service Event Reporting (SER) to receive payments. See AHCIP Bulletin for more details.
Workers Compensation Board (WCB)
BCP units must be manually entered on invoice using a second billing line; they are not added automatically.
- Code BCP01: Used for clinics located outside of Calgary and Airdrie
- Code BCP02: Used for clinics located in Calgary and Airdrie
For more details on WCB claims, see AMA’s Fee Navigator.
Maximum Daily Funding
- Physicians will receive payment for up to 50 BCP units per day for eligible claims, with the daily maximum applied across all office locations.
- Once the maximum is reached, additional claims are not eligible for payment and will be listed on the BCP Details Report with a reduced or $0.00 value and explanatory code 80M BUSINESS COST PROGRAM.
Eligible Health Service Codes
| HSC | Description |
| 03.02A | Diagnostic interview and evaluation, described as brief {Brief assessment of a patient's condition requiring a minimal history with little or no physical examination} |
| 03.03A | Diagnostic interview and evaluation, described as limited {Limited assessment of a patient's condition requiring a history related to the presenting problems, an examination of the relevant body systems, appropriate records, and advice to the patient - in office.} |
| 03.03B | Diagnostic interview and evaluation, described as limited {Prenatal visit - in office.} |
| 03.03C | Diagnostic interview and evaluation, described as limited {Routine post-natal office examination} |
| 03.03F | Diagnostic interview and evaluation, described as limited {Repeat office visit or scheduled outpatient visit in a regional facility, referred cases only - in office.} |
| 03.03FA | Diagnostic interview and evaluation, described as limited {Prolonged repeat office or scheduled outpatient visit in a regional facility, referred cases only, full 15 minutes or portion thereof for the first call when only one call is claimed} |
| 03.04A | Diagnostic interview and evaluation, described as comprehensive {Comprehensive assessment of a patient's condition requiring a complete history, a complete physical examination appropriate to the physician's specialty, an appropriate record and advice to the patient - in office.} |
| 03.04B | Diagnostic interview and evaluation, described as comprehensive {Initial prenatal visit requiring complete history and physical examination} |
| 03.04J | Diagnostic interview and evaluation, described as comprehensive {Development, documentation and administration of a comprehensive annual care plan for a patient with complex needs} |
| 03.04M | Diagnostic interview and evaluation, described as comprehensive {Pre-operative history and physical examination in relation to an insured service} |
| 03.04N | Diagnostic interview and evaluation, described as comprehensive {Comprehensive evaluation including completion of forms to determine capacity as defined by the Personal Directives Act (PDA) (RSA 2007 s9(2)(a))} |
| 03.04O | Diagnostic interview and evaluation, described as comprehensive {Follow-up care of patient with functioning renal transplant - first year} |
| 03.04P | Diagnostic interview and evaluation, described as comprehensive {Follow-up care of patient with functioning renal transplant - second and subsequent years} |
| 03.04Q | Diagnostic interview and evaluation, described as comprehensive {Post surgical cancer surveillance examination} |
| 03.04R | Diagnostic interview and evaluation, described as comprehensive {Pre-surgical planning and patient navigation visit} |
| 03.05H | Other diagnostic interview and evaluation {Medical examination, including completion of form, required pursuant to the Traffic Safety Act to obtain or renew an operator's license, where the patient is 74.5 years of age or older} |
| 03.05I | Other diagnostic interview and evaluation {Direct care, reassessment, education and/or general counselling of a patient requiring palliative care, per 15 minutes or portion thereof - in office or a patient's home} |
| 03.05JA | Other diagnostic interview and evaluation {Formal, scheduled, multiple health discipline team conference, full 15 minutes or major portion thereof for the first call when only one call is claimed} <With para-medical personnel regarding the provision of health care where social and other issues are involved} |
| 03.05JB | Other diagnostic interview and evaluation {Formal, scheduled family conference relating to a specific patient, per 15 minutes or major portion thereof} |
| 03.05JG | Other diagnostic interview and evaluation {Formal, scheduled family conference relating to a deceased child, per 15 minutes or major portion thereof} |
| 03.05JK | Other diagnostic interview and evaluation {Pediatric conference with parents/guardians of patients, without the patient (child) being present} |
| 03.05JM | Other diagnostic interview and evaluation {Formal, scheduled, professional conference related to the care and treatment of multiple patients undergoing rehabilitation therapy including those with chronic pain with other physician(s), allied health professionals, educational, correctional and other community agencies on behalf of a specific patient provided by the physiatrist most responsible for the patient's care per full 5 minutes to a maximum of 6 units in a 30 minute period} |
| 03.05JN | Other diagnostic interview and evaluation {Second and subsequent physician attendance at a formal, scheduled, professional conference related to the care and treatment of multiple patients undergoing rehabilitation therapy including those with chronic pain, when discussion occurs on behalf of a specific patient per full 5 minutes to a maximum of 6 units in a 30 minute period} |
| 03.05K | Other diagnostic interview and evaluation {Formal, scheduled, team/family conference full 30 minutes or major portion thereof for the first call when only one call is claimed} |
| 03.05LA | Other diagnostic interview and evaluation {Group session, multiple patients, where a physician is involved in providing care and teaching to patients in attendance} |
| 03.05LB | Other diagnostic interview and evaluation {Group teaching session for patients and/or family members with chronic pain, previous amputation, stroke, brain injury, concussion, spinal cord injury, or other neuromusculoskeletal condition, first 45 minutes or major portion thereof for the first call when only one call is claimed} |
| 03.05O | Other diagnostic interview and evaluation {Direct management, reassessment, education and/or general counselling of a patient with chronic pain, per 15 minutes or portion thereof} |
| 03.05S | Diagnostic interview and evaluation, described as limited {Special call to office} |
| 03.05T | Other diagnostic interview and evaluation {Formal, scheduled, professional interview relating to the care and treatment of a palliative care patient with other physicians, family, and/or direct therapeutic supervision of allied health professionals or community agencies, on behalf of a specific patient, full 15 minutes or major portion thereof for the first call when only one call is claimed} |
| 03.05U | Other diagnostic interview and evaluation {Second and subsequent physician attendance at formal, scheduled, professional interview relating to the care and treatment of a palliative care patient with other physicians, family and/or direct therapeutic supervision of allied health professionals or community agencies, on behalf of a specific patient, full 15 minutes or major portion thereof for the first call when only one call is claimed} |
| 03.05V | Other diagnostic interview and evaluation {Formal, scheduled, professional interview relating to the care and treatment of a patient with chronic pain with other physicians, and/or direct therapeutic supervision of allied health professionals or community agencies, on behalf of a specific patient, per 15 minutes} |
| 03.05W | Other diagnostic interview and evaluation {Second and subsequent physician attendance at a formal, scheduled, professional interview relating to the care and treatment of a patient with chronic pain with other physicians, family, and/or direct therapeutic supervision of allied health professionals or community agencies, on behalf of a specific patient, per 15 minutes} |
| 03.05X | Other diagnostic interview and evaluation {Formal, scheduled, professional interview with relative(s) relating to the care and treatment of a patient with chronic pain on behalf of a specific patient, full 15 minutes or major portion thereof for the first call when only one call is claimed} |
| 03.05Y | Other diagnostic interview and evaluation {Formal, scheduled, professional interview, case conference with other physicians and/or direct therapeutic supervision of allied health professionals, educational or other community agencies on behalf of a specific patient, provided by the physician most responsible for the patient's care.} |
| 03.05YM | Other diagnostic interview and evaluation {Second and subsequent physician attendance at a formal, scheduled, professional interview, case conference on behalf of a specific patient 18 years of age and under, full 15 minutes or major portion thereof for the first call when only one call is claimed} |
| 03.07A | Consultation, described as limited {Minor consultation - in office} |
| 03.07B | Consultation, described as limited {Repeat consultation} |
| 03.07C | Consultation, described as limited {Repeat obstetrical consultation} |
| 03.08A | Consultation, described as comprehensive {Comprehensive consultation - in office} |
| 03.08B | Consultation, described as comprehensive {Obstetrical consultation - in office} |
| 03.08C | Consultation, described as comprehensive {Formal major neuro-otolaryngological consultation} |
| 03.08F | Consultation, described as comprehensive {Formal, comprehensive consultation, for a patient with chronic pain, full 60 minutes or major portion thereof for the first call when only one call is claimed} |
| 03.08H | Consultation, described as comprehensive {Formal major neuro- ophthalmology consultation, including complex consultations of orbit or oncology} |
| 03.08I | Consultation described as comprehensive {Prolonged cardiology, clinical immunology, endocrinology/metabolism, gastroenterology, hematology, infectious diseases, internal medicine, nephrology, physiatry, medical oncology, neurology, respiratory medicine or rheumatology consultation or visit, full 15 minutes or major portion thereof for the first call when only one call is claimed - in office.} |
| 03.08J | Consultation, described as comprehensive {Prolonged consultation or hospital admission by pediatrics (including subspecialties) and clinical immunology and allergy for patients 18 years of age and under, or by medical genetics (no age restriction), full 15 minutes or portion thereof for the first call when only one call is claimed - in office.} |
| 03.08K | Consultation, described as comprehensive {Otolaryngological oncology consultation for patients with complex invasive malignancies of the head and neck} |
| 03.08M | Consultation, described as comprehensive {Extended uro-gynecology, pediatric gynecological, gyne-oncology, reproductive endocrinology or perinatology consultation, per 15 minutes or major portion thereof} |
| 03.09A | Consultation {Prenatal consultation for fetal assessment} |
| 03.09B | Consultation, described as other {Teleophthalmology consultation for examination, evaluation and interpretation of stereoscopic digital retinal imaging using store and forward technology} |
| 08.11A | Psychiatric mental status determination {Requiring complete mental status examination and investigation, first full 30 minutes or major portion thereof for the first call when only one call is claimed} |
| 08.11C | Psychiatric mental status determination {For complex patient, requiring complete mental status examination and investigation, first full 30 minutes or major portion thereof for the first call when only one call is claimed} |
| 08.19A | Consultation, described as comprehensive {Formal major psychiatric consultation, first full 30 minutes or major portion thereof for the first call when only one call is claimed - in office.} |
| 08.19AA | Consultation, described as comprehensive {Formal major psychiatric consultation for a patient referred by a registered: occupational therapist, psychologist, community based psychiatric nurse, social worker or speech language pathologist, first full 30 minutes or major portion thereof for the first call when only one call is claimed} |
| 08.19B | Consultation, described as limited {Minor psychiatric consultation, full 15 minutes or major portion thereof for the first call when only one call is claimed} |
| 08.19BB | Consultation, described as limited {Minor psychiatric consultation for a patient referred by a registered: occupational therapist, psychologist, community based psychiatric nurse, social worker or speech language pathologist, full 15 minutes or major portion thereof for the first call when only one call is claimed} |
| 08.19C | Consultation, described as limited {Repeat psychiatric consultation, per full 30 minutes or major portion thereof for the first call when only one call is claimed} |
| 08.19CC | Consultation, described as limited {Repeat psychiatric consultation for a patient referred by a registered: occupational therapist, psychologist, community based psychiatric nurse, social worker or speech language pathologist, per full 30 minutes or major portion thereof for the first call when only one call is claimed} |
| 08.19D | Other psychiatric evaluation and interview {Professional interview with relative(s) in connection with the management of a patient with a psychiatric disorder, but without the patient being present during the interview, per 15 minutes or major portion thereof} |
| 08.19F | Other psychiatric evaluation and interview {Formal, scheduled, professional conference related to the care and treatment of a psychiatric patient with other physician(s), and/or direct therapeutic supervision of, allied health professionals, educational, correctional and other community agencies on behalf of a specific patient, provided by the physician most responsible for the patient's care, per 15 minutes or major portion thereof} |
| 08.19G | Other psychiatric evaluation and interview {Direct contact with an individual patient for psychiatric treatment (including medical psychotherapy and medication prescription), psychiatric reassessment, patient education and/or general psychiatric counselling, per 15 minutes or major portion thereof - in office.} |
| 08.19GA | Other psychiatric evaluation and interview {Direct contact with a patient for psychiatric treatment (including medical psychotherapy and medication prescription), psychiatric reassessment, patient education and/or psychiatric counseling, per 15 minutes or major portion thereof - in office.} |
| 08.19GB | Other psychiatric evaluation and interview {Direct contact with a complex patient for psychiatric treatment (including medical psychotherapy and medication prescription), psychiatric reassessment, patient education and/or psychiatric counseling, per 15 minutes or major portion thereof} |
| 08.19H | Other psychiatric evaluation and interview {Second and subsequent physician attendance at a formal, scheduled, professional conference related to the care and treatment of a psychiatric patient, on behalf of a specific patient, per 15 minutes or major portion thereof} |
| 08.19J | Other psychiatric evaluation and interview {Formal, scheduled, professional conference related to the care and treatment of multiple psychiatric patients with other physician(s), allied health professionals, educational, correctional and other community agencies on behalf of a specific patient, provided by the physician most responsible for the patient's care} |
| 08.19K | Other psychiatric evaluation and interview {Second and subsequent physician attendance at a formal, scheduled, professional conference related to the care and treatment of multiple psychiatric patients, when discussion occurs on behalf of a specific patient} |
| 08.19L | Other psychiatric evaluation and interview {Issuance, development and documentation of a Community Treatment Order (CTO) as defined by the Mental Health Act including all activities and services that are directly related to the CTO initiation and development, per full 15 minutes} |
| 08.19M | Other psychiatric evaluation and interview {Second physician involved in the issuance, development and documentation of a CTO, per full 15 minutes} |
| 08.19N | Other psychiatric evaluation and interview {Renewal, amendments, cancellation or expiry of a CTO as well as necessary work involved in the completion of an apprehension order, examination on apprehension, written statement or non-compliance report, per full 15 minutes} |
| 08.44A | Group therapy {Group psychotherapy, where all members of the group are receiving therapy in the session, full 15 minutes or major portion thereof for the first call when only one call is claimed} |
| 08.44B | Group therapy {Second and subsequent physician attendance at group psychotherapy, where all members of the group are receiving therapy in the session, full 15 minutes or major portion thereof for the first call when only one call is claimed} |
| 08.44C | Group therapy {Group psychotherapy, complex group, where all members of the group are receiving therapy in the session, full 15 minutes or major portion thereof for the first call when only one call is claimed} |
| 08.44D | Group therapy {Second and subsequent physician attendance at complex group psychotherapy, where all members of the group are receiving therapy in the session, full 15 minutes or major portion thereof for the first call when only one call is claimed} |
| 08.45 | Family therapy {Assessment or therapy of a family, requiring comprehensive psychiatric or family systems evaluation, first full 45 minutes or major portion thereof for the first call when only one call is claimed - in office.} |
| 08.45A | Family therapy {Complex assessment or therapy of a family, requiring comprehensive psychiatric or family systems evaluation, first full 45 minutes or major portion thereof for the first call when only one call is claimed} |
| 09.01F | Limited eye examination {Complete oculo-visual examination} |
| 09.02D | Comprehensive eye examination {Community or outpatient retinopathy examination of prematurity in infants} |
AHCIP Med Bulletins
The following list contains the most relevant BCP-related bulletins for physicians and billing teams:
- December 15, 2022, AHCIP Bulletin (Bed 261) – $3.59 rate increase
- March 28, 2017, AHCIP Bulletin (Med 190) – daily payment maximum
- March 10, 2009, AHCIP Bulletin (“Special Edition to Alternate Relationship Plan Physicians”) – Service Event Reporting for cARP physicians
- March 13, 2008, AHCIP Bulletin (Med 130) – DIAG facility eligibility expansion
- January 15, 2008, AHCIP Bulletin (Med 128) – initial program bulletin & sample BCP Details Report
Med 198, Med 199, Med 216, Med 240 and Med 264 contain information that has been updated or overwritten by subsequent bulletins. See alberta.ca for more details.