Expanding virtual health care

To support Albertans’ health care needs during the COVID-19 pandemic, the province is working with physicians to increase options for virtual care. Adjustments to how physicians can bill the province will encourage more physicians to provide care virtually and to make virtual health care more readily available to Albertans who need or choose to use this option.

When billing for high priority virtual care services, such as visits and consultations, physicians can now include the time spent on indirect care like charting and completing referrals. Previously, physicians were permitted to bill only for the time spent on a phone or video call. In addition, physicians can now bill for longer visits (e.g. family physician visits lasting longer than 14 minutes), using a complex modifier code. These changes take effect on January 1, and will be evaluated over the next year to inform future adjustments in virtual care services.

READ MORE HERE