Telemedicine and virtual care guidelines (and other clinical resources for COVID-19)
As information is changing daily and sometimes hourly, we cannot guarantee that this information is always current. Always defer to your provincial colleges, professional organizations and/or governmental websites for accurate and timely information.
Information has been organized by province and was last updated on July 6, 2020.
Please note: The Royal College does not promote any virtual care platforms at this point and encourages its physician members to refer to their respective provincial/territorial authorities for information and guidance on approved platforms.
Please send suggestions for changes or additions to healthpolicy@royalcollege.ca
- Royal College resources
- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- New Brunswick
- Nova Scotia
- Ontario
- Prince Edward Island
- Quebec
- Saskatchewan
- Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut
Royal College resources
Alberta
- Doctors advised to provide telemedicine / virtual care when possible during the COVID-19 pandemic
- The Alberta Medical Association has made virtual care codes permanent
Useful links
- Telemedicine and virtual care standards of practice: http://www.cpsa.ca/standardspractice/telemedicine/
- Virtual Care: Advice to the Profession: http://www.cpsa.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/AP_COVID-19-Virtual-Care.pdf
- Billing for telemedicine/virtual care: https://open.alberta.ca/dataset/58a224a2-0fed-4b1e-b8d5-9f6cf70450c6/resource/8323480b-939c-4099-ab76-bdb5147bde9c/download/health-ahcip-bulletin-med-231-virtual-care-codes-permanent.pdf
- Physician and Family Support Program: https://www.albertadoctors.org/services/pfsp
British Columbia
- Family Physicians advised to provide virtual care/telemedicine when possible
- Daily volume limits are temporarily suspended
- Age-adjusted fees
- Specialists advised to provide virtual care/telemedicine when possible
- Video technology can be used.
- Effective May 1, 2020, the Business Cost Premium (BCP) will be temporarily expanded to apply to telehealth fee items, including phone and video communication with patients.
Useful links
- Virtual Care/Telemedicine Guide: https://www.doctorsofbc.ca/news/doctors-technology-office-virtual-care-support-response
- Virtual Care/Telemedicine Practice Standards: https://www.cpsbc.ca/files/pdf/PSG-Telemedicine.pdf
- FAQ for temporary changes to virtual care/telemedicine services: https://www.doctorsofbc.ca/sites/default/files/faq_telehealth-telephone_services_covid-19-final.pdf
- Specialist virtual care/telemedicine FAQ: https://www.doctorsofbc.ca/sites/default/files/specialist_covid-19_billing_information.pdf
- Virtual Care/telemedicine learning series: https://www.doctorsofbc.ca/news/new-video-learning-series-support-physicians-virtual-care
- Physician Health Program: https://www.doctorsofbc.ca/news/supports-physicians-feeling-stress-or-burnout
Manitoba
- Doctors advised to provide telemedicine or virtual care when possible during pandemic
Useful links
- Telemedicine and virtual care: https://doctorsmanitoba.ca/2020/03/covid-19-coronavirus-updates/
- Billing codes for virtual care (COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 related): https://doctorsmanitoba.ca/2020/05/virtual-care-visit-tariffs-codes-may-1/
- Physician and Family Support Program: https://doctorsmanitoba.ca/wellness/physician-family-support-program/
Newfoundland and Labrador
- Doctors advised to provide telemedicine and virtual care if possible o Virtual care visits capped at 40 per day (annual 521 cap removed)
Useful links
- Pandemic Virtual Care Assessment code: http://www.nlma.nl.ca/FileManager/COVID19/docs/May/Newsletter_20-05.pdf
- Virtual Care/Telemedicine FAQs: http://www.nlma.nl.ca/FileManager/VirtualCare/docs/FAQ_on_Virtual_Care_-_General.pdf
- Physician Care Network: http://www.nlma.nl.ca/Wellness/InConfidence
New Brunswick
- Doctors advised to provide telemedicine and virtual care if possible
Useful links
- Physicians’ Manual: https://www2.gnb.ca/content/dam/gnb/Departments/h-s/pdf/en/Physicians/new_brunswick_physicians_manual.pdf
- Walk-in clinics: https://www.vitalitenb.ca/sites/default/files/2020_03_18_updates_to_virtual_care_codes_for_walk-in_clinics_-_codes_temporaires_pour_les_cliniques_sans_rendez-vous.pdf
- Consultations: https://www.vitalitenb.ca/sites/default/files/documents/medecins/updates_to_temporary_virtual_care_codes_for_consultations_march_24_2020.pdf
- NBMS Wellness Program: https://members.nbms.nb.ca/login?client=OjvSb8cW5MgEzbM&redirect_url=?BackURL=%2Fphysicianwellness%2F
Nova Scotia
- Doctors advised to provide telemedicine and virtual care if possible
Useful links
- Telemedicine and virtual care: https://cpsns.ns.ca/covid-19-telemedicine-services/
- Advise to the Profession Regarding Virtual Care During Pandemic: https://cpsns.ns.ca/covid-19-bulletin-1/
- Virtual care practice implementation guide: https://files.constantcontact.com/bb5ecdfa601/5f987c11-5433-40af-9e7f-189933ae6d46.pdf
- Professional Support Program: https://doctorsns.com/benefits/professional-support
Ontario
- Doctors advised to provide telemedicine and virtual care if possible
Useful links
- Telemedicine and virtual care: http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/ohip/bulletins/4000/bul4745.aspx
- Virtual care webinar: https://www.ontariomd.ca/pages/watch-physicians-demonstrate-virtual-care-tools-and-submit-your-questions-during-ontariomd’s-webinars-on-march-20.aspx
- Physician Health Program: http://php.oma.org
Prince Edward Island
- Doctors advised to provide telemedicine and virtual care when possible
Useful links
- Physician Health Program: https://mspei.org/salary-and-employee-benefits/salary-and-employee-benefits-physician-health-program/
- Continuation of virtual care and telemedicine services even as services resume: https://www.mspei.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/2020-06-17-PC-Reinstatement-Memo.pdf
Quebec
- Family physicians and general practitioners advised to provide telemedicine or virtual care if possible
Useful links
- Telemedicine and virtual care:
- Physician Health Program: http://www.pamq.org/en
Saskatchewan
- Doctors advised to provide telemedicine or virtual care if possible
Useful links
- Virtual Care and Telemedicine General Information (including billing): https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/health-care-administration-and-provider-resources/treatment-procedures-and-guidelines/emerging-public-health-issues/2019-novel-coronavirus/information-for-health-care-providers/clinical-practice-resources/general/virtual-care
- Physician Health Program: https://www.sma.sk.ca/programs/44/physician-health-program.html