Database of Health Workforce Innovations
658
Virtual care reciprocal billing for Northwest Territories residents
Patients in northern and remote communities face barriers to accessing care, which is emphasized by the COVID-19 pandemic. They often travel to neighbouring communities or provinces to receive care, which may now be restricted.
New methods of care need to be implemented during the pandemic to reduce exposure of patients and providers and maintain continuity of care even if services can't be offered in person for everyone.
New methods of care need to be implemented during the pandemic to reduce exposure of patients and providers and maintain continuity of care even if services can't be offered in person for everyone.
Effective immediately, at the request of the Government of the Northwest Territories (NWT), Alberta Health is temporarily allowing Alberta physicians to reciprocally bill for virtual medical services provided to NWT residents using virtual fee-for-service codes and billing rules identified in Bulletin MED 222, and MED 221 where possible.
PLEASE NOTE THIS TEMPORARY ALLOWANCE IS ONLY AVAILABLE TO ALBERTA PHYSICIANS WHO ARE PROVIDING VIRTUAL SERVICES TO NWT RESIDENTS.
These changes will allow for the continuation of care of NWT residents while also minimizing the risk of exposure to the COVID-19 virus, as it will reduce the need for patients to travel to Alberta.
PLEASE NOTE THIS TEMPORARY ALLOWANCE IS ONLY AVAILABLE TO ALBERTA PHYSICIANS WHO ARE PROVIDING VIRTUAL SERVICES TO NWT RESIDENTS.
These changes will allow for the continuation of care of NWT residents while also minimizing the risk of exposure to the COVID-19 virus, as it will reduce the need for patients to travel to Alberta.
- Licensure flexibility
- Telehealth/virtual care
- Other
- Physicians - Emergency
- Physicians - Intensive Care
- Physicians - Primary/Family
- Physicians - Specialists
Government of Alberta
- Community Health Services
- Critical Care
- Diagnostic Services
- Emergency Medical Services
- Home Care Services
- Hospitals
- Indigenous Health Services
- Long-Term Care
- Mental Health Services
- Primary Health Care
- Public Health
- Other
- Urban/Suburban
- Rural
- Remote
Formal Policy
Government of Alberta
780-427-2711
Canada - Alberta
Canada