Physicians in Nova Scotia will now have the opportunity to consult with colleagues via secure messaging (using NSH-approved platforms such as Ocean and Virtual Hallway) and bill for their time. This will support more timely access to care for patients and provide more support to physicians providing that care to patients.

The 03.09K and L fee codes will be expanded to apply to physician to-physician discussions, whether those are by telephone, face-to-face or secure messaging.

The government continues to explore the possibility of supporting physician-to patient secure messaging as well. In terms of synchronous virtual care (telephone or video), there will be no change to the current approach without consultation and minimum of three months’ notice to DNS and physicians.