These frequently asked questions may help you decide whether the Blended Capitation Funding Model Pilot Project is right for your clinic.
How do I know if this pilot project is right for my practice?
Doctors Nova Scotia is ready to support you in making this decision. We can meet with you and your practice colleagues, answer your questions, and help you analyse your practice’s data to help you determine if this funding model is right for you.
Uncertain whether your clinic would like to participate in the pilot project? Contact your physician advisor to discuss the model further:
Ryan Brown
Physician advisor (Northern and Eastern zones)
902-481-7016
1-800-563-3427 ext. 7016
ryan.brown@doctorsns.com
Jennifer Girard
Physician advisor (Western and Central zones)
902-481-4912
1-800-563-3427 ext. 4912
jennifer.girard@doctorsns.com
Kim Oakley
Senior physician advisor and compensation manager
902-481-4924
1-800-563-3427 ext. 4924
kim.oakley@doctorsns.com
I’m already in a collaborative practice. Can my practice still participate in this pilot project?
Yes! The Blended Capitation funding model is designed specifically to support collaborative practices in providing comprehensive, office-based primary care to their patients. If you are currently in a collaborative practice that is supported through NSHA, all current arrangements and agreements with allied health-care providers and/or the NSHA will not change as a result of participating in this pilot project.
Is funding for allied health-care providers included in this pilot project?
The funding that was secured through the 2019 Master Agreement was for physician remuneration only – it does not include funding for allied health-care professionals. The Blended Capitation Funding Model pilot project supports collaborative care and provides the practice with base funding for every patient rostered to physicians in the practice. Physicians may hire one or more allied health-care professional(s) who can help with the workload associated with these patients. Capacity created by the allied health-care professionals may support the addition of new patients to the clinic roster, which increases patient attachment and access and results in increased practice revenue to cover the costs associated with hiring the allied health-care providers into the practice. If making hiring decisions, be mindful that this is a pilot initiative and there is no guarantee that the blended capitation model will continue beyond the pilot project.
If you are currently in a collaborative practice that is supported through the NSHA, all current arrangements and agreements with allied health-care providers and/or the NSHA will not change as a result of participating in this pilot project.
How do I recruit new patients from the 811 Need a Family Practice Registry to increase my panel size?
Physicians who have or gain capacity to add patients to their roster should reach out to the 811 Need a Family Practice Registry by emailing needafamilypractice@nshealth.ca. The Nova Scotia Health Authority’s Primary Health Care team will assist practices as required.
What happens if I take a short-term leave (e.g., vacation or sick leave) from the practice during the pilot project?
One of the benefits of a collaborative practice is that the group can provide cross coverage while a physician is absent from the practice for a short-term leave. However, we know that this isn’t always possible, due to things like physician burnout, ongoing vacancies within the practice, etc. For the duration of the pilot project, practices which are otherwise eligible can access the Provincial Locum Program. This activity will be monitored and used in the evaluation to help inform the approach for short-term leaves in a province-wide Blended Capitation Model.