These funding programs are generally available to fee-for-service physicians, but some apply to physicians on alternative payment plans (APPs). There is more information about Master Agreement funding programs applicable to APP physicians.
Payment eligibility for most funding programs depends on your MSI billings, and is identified through fee codes, specific fee modifiers or the attainment of billing thresholds. Accurate and comprehensive MSI billing is essential, regardless of your payment model.
Blended Capitation Funding Model
The development of a new payment model providing fixed capitation rates along with a fee-for-service component will promote and support comprehensive family medicine.
Community Hospital Inpatient Program
A funding model that is available to compensate community family physicians who provide care to their patients while in hospital.
**Electronic medical record grants
Funding is available for any EMR that fits Canada Health Infoway's definition, which has been adopted by Doctors Nova Scotia.
General Practice Chronic Disease Management Incentive Program
This funding recognizes additional work done by family physicians, beyond office visits, to ensure an annual cycle of guidelines-based care is provided to patients with diabetes and/or ischaemic heart disease and/or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
**General Practice Collaborative Practice Incentive Program
Encourages family physicians to participate in collaborative care models.
General Practice Complex Care Visit
Recognizes the extra work and time required of family physicians to provide ongoing comprehensive care in the office for “complex” patients with three or more eligible chronic diseases.
General Practice Surgical Assist Incentive Program
Provides an annual incentive payment to family physicians who carry out surgical assists.
Nova Scotia Facility On-Call Program
This program funds approved GP and specialty on-call rotas.
CPD Stipends
Family physicians, rural specialists and urban fee for service specialists are eligible for funding to cover part of their expenses for continuing medical education.
Primary Maternity Care
A new funding model that will stabilize and support primary maternity care services across the province.
Provincial Locum Program
This provincial locum program provides coverage for physicians who require covered for leave for vacation, CME, maternity and medical leave, or illness.
Rural Specialist Retention Incentive Program
This incentive program encourages specialist physicians to work and stay in rural Nova Scotia communities.
**Under the terms of the 2019 Master Agreement contract, some programs are still slated to convert to fees. The programs remain unchanged until the Fee Committee establishes the new fees.