{"id":1755,"date":"2026-06-09T14:22:39","date_gmt":"2026-06-09T14:22:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.petal-health.com\/?p=1755"},"modified":"2026-06-09T14:33:03","modified_gmt":"2026-06-09T14:33:03","slug":"bc-virtual-care-billing-codes-msp-cheat-sheet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.petal-health.com\/fr\/blog\/physicians\/bc-virtual-care-billing-codes-msp-cheat-sheet\/","title":{"rendered":"British Columbia virtual care billing codes cheat sheet and MSP checklist\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Points cl\u00e9s \u00e0 retenir<\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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  1. Virtual care is billable in BC under MSP<\/span><\/b>, but the right code depends on the service type, patient age, provider type, and whether a specific telehealth fee exists.<\/span><\/li>
  2. BC uses telehealth fee items for common family practice services<\/span><\/b>, including FP consultations, FP visits, individual counselling, group counselling, and FP-assisted specialist assessments.<\/span><\/li>
  3. Documentation matters<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>for many telehealth\u00a0<\/span><\/b>services<\/span><\/b>,\u00a0so\u00a0physicians should record the medical necessity, time of service, start\/end times where required, and patient consent to receive care virtually.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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    British Columbia physicians can bill virtual care through MSP using either designated telehealth fee codes or, in some cases, the equivalent in-person fee with a telehealth claim note.\u00a0Selecting the\u00a0correct billing code depends on the service provided, patient age, documentation\u00a0requirements, and more.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

    Virtual care is now a routine part of healthcare delivery in BC. For many patients, a phone or video appointment is more convenient than\u00a0travelling\u00a0to a clinic. For physicians, virtual care\u00a0allows for\u00a0three things: schedule flexibility, continuity of care, and improved patient access.\u00a0All improvements everyone can get behind.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

    But one question\u00a0remains\u00a0critical:\u00a0<\/span>How do you bill virtual care correctly under\u00a0BC\u2019s\u00a0Medical Services Plan?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

    BC\u2019s rules are different from\u00a0many provinces including\u00a0Alberta\u00a0and Ontario\u2019s. Instead of a single virtual care framework that mirrors\u00a0<\/span>Alberta\u2019s AHCIP approach<\/span><\/a>, BC\u2019s MSP Payment Schedule defines telehealth services broadly and then lists specific fee items by section and service type.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

    The result:<\/span><\/b> Virtual care\u00a0billing is\u00a0straightforward once you know which codes apply, but easy to underbill or reject if the wrong code, patient age category, or documentation is used.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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    Medical billing for virtual care in British Columbia: Key rules<\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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    In BC, the\u00a0<\/span>MSP\u00a0defines<\/span><\/a>\u00a0a telehealth service as a medical-practitioner-delivered health service provided to a patient through\u00a0<\/span>video technology or telephone<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

    The MSP Payment Schedule also notes that where no specific telehealth fee exists, consultations, office visits, and non-procedural interventions may be claimed under the face-to-face fee with a claim note\u00a0stating\u00a0that the service was provided by telehealth.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

    For physicians, this creates two billing pathways:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

    1. Use a specific telehealth fee item when one exists.<\/span><\/b>
      This is common in family medicine, where <\/span>      MSP lists<\/span><\/a>\u00a0age-based telehealth codes for FP consultations, visits, and counselling.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
    2. Use theappropriate in-personfee with a telehealth note when no telehealth fee exists.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0
      This applies only where the\u00a0<\/span>      Payment Schedule<\/span><\/a>\u00a0permits\u00a0it\u00a0and no designated telehealth fee is available for the service.<\/span><\/li><\/ol>

      \u00a0<\/p>

      It’s important to check the latest schedule before publication or use during your billing workflows.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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      General <\/span><\/span>r<\/span>ules for AHCIP\u00a0<\/span>v<\/span>irtual\u00a0<\/span>c<\/span>are\u00a0<\/span>b<\/span>illing<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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      To keep claims compliant, physicians should keep the following rules in mind:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

      1. Patient consent is\u00a0required.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0Patients must be informed and given the opportunity to agree to receive services by telehealth, without prejudice.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
      2. Telehealth includes\u00a0phone or video.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0BC defines telehealth as care delivered through video technology or telephone, although individual fee items may specify\u00a0additional\u00a0requirements.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
      3. Use a designated telehealth code when available.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0If a service has a specific telehealth fee item, use that code rather than defaulting to a face-to-face equivalent.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
      4. If no telehealth code exists, add a claim note.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0MSP states that consultations, office visits, and non-procedural interventions without a telehealth fee may be claimed under the face-to-face fee with a note record saying the service was provided by telehealth.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
      5. Video services are\u00a0generally payable\u00a0once per patient, per day, per physician.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0Exceptions must meet the Payment Schedule\u2019s criteria for multiple visits.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
      6. Document medical necessity and time.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0MSP says information about medical necessity and times of service should\u00a0accompany\u00a0claims.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
      7. Counselling requires start and end times.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0For FP individual counselling, MSP\u00a0requires\u00a0start and end times in both the billing claim and the patient chart, plus documentation of the condition\u2019s effect and the advice or service provided.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
      8. Claims must be\u00a0submitted\u00a0on time.<\/span><\/b> Fee-for-service practitioners must\u00a0submit\u00a0MSP claims electronically within\u00a090 days\u00a0of the service date, either through Teleplan or a service bureau.<\/span><\/li><\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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        Physicians using Petal gained\u00a0$29,267\u00a0more annually on average compared to manual billing.\u00a0<\/p>

        Learn how<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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        BC virtual care billing codes cheat sheet: Family practice<\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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        Here are the core MSP telehealth fee items for family physicians.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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        Telehealth FP consultation<\/b><\/em><\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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        Use these codes for a family physician consultation provided by telehealth. These are age-based:<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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        Code<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

        Description<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

        Value<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

        13236<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

        Telehealth FP Consultation, age 0\u20131<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

        $103.02<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

        13436<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

        Telehealth FP Consultation, age 2\u201349<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

        $95.95<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

        13536<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

        Telehealth FP Consultation, age 50\u201359<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

        $103.02<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

        13636<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

        Telehealth FP Consultation, age 60\u201369<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

        $107.77<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

        13736<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

        Telehealth FP Consultation, age 70\u201379<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

        $121.20<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

        13836<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

        Telehealth FP Consultation, age 80+<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

        $139.50<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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        These codes are listed under \u201cTelehealth Service with Direct Interactive Video Link with the Patient\u201d and must be interpreted with reference to the general telehealth preamble.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

        Billing tip:<\/span><\/b> Confirm that the service meets consultation requirements. In BC, a consultation generally requires a request from another practitioner, the consultant\u2019s opinion, and a written report to the referring practitioner.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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        Telehealth FP visit\u00a0<\/b><\/em><\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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        Use these codes for age-based FP visits provided by telehealth:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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        Code<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

        Description<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

        Value<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

        13237<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

        Telehealth FP Visit, age 0\u20131<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

        $41.42<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

        13437<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

        Telehealth FP Visit, age 2\u201349<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

        $38.61<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

        13537<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

        Telehealth FP Visit, age 50\u201359<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

        $41.42<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

        13637<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

        Telehealth FP Visit, age 60\u201369<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

        $43.27<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

        13737<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

        Telehealth FP Visit, age 70\u201379<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

        $48.76<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

        13837<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

        Telehealth FP Visit, age 80+<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

        $56.47<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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        These are the everyday virtual visit codes many family practices will use most often.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

        Billing tip:<\/span><\/b> Make\u00a0age\u00a0selection part of the billing workflow. A simple patient age mismatch can lead to unnecessary rework.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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        Telehealth FP individual counselling\u00a0<\/b><\/em><\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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        For prolonged counselling visits, MSP lists telehealth FP individual counselling codes with a\u00a0<\/span><\/span>minimum time per visit of 20 minutes<\/span><\/span><\/strong>:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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        Code<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

        Description<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

        Value<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

        13238<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

        Telehealth FP Individual Counselling, age 0\u20131<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

        $82.84<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

        13438<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

        Telehealth FP Individual Counselling, age 2\u201349<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

        $77.24<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

        13538<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

        Telehealth FP Individual Counselling, age 50\u201359<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

        $82.84<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

        13638<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

        Telehealth FP Individual Counselling, age 60\u201369<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

        $86.57<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

        13738<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

        Telehealth FP Individual Counselling, age 70\u201379<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

        $97.52<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

        13838<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

        Telehealth FP Individual Counselling, age 80+<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

        $112.93<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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        MSP pays up to four individual counselling visits per patient per year, across any combination of age-appropriate in-office, out-of-office, and telehealth counselling visits. Start and end times must be entered in both the claim and the patient chart.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

        Billing tip:<\/span><\/b> For counselling, the note should do more than confirm that the call happened. MSP requires documentation of the effect of the condition on the patient and what advice or service was provided.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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        Telehealth FP group counselling\u00a0<\/b><\/em><\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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        For groups of two or more patients:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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        Code<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

        Description<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

        Value<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

        13041<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

        Telehealth FP Group Counselling, first full hour<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

        $199.44<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

        13042<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

        Telehealth FP Group Counselling, second hour, per \u00bd hour or major\u00a0portion<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

        $99.73<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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        Don\u2019t\u00a0forget to include the start and end\u00a0times\u00a0as they\u00a0must be entered in both the billing claim and the patient chart.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

        Billing tip:<\/span><\/b>\u00a0Group counselling documentation should clearly\u00a0identify\u00a0the session timing and support the medical necessity of the service.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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        Telehealth family physician assistant\u00a0<\/b><\/em><\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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        Code<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

        Description<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

        Value<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

        13020<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

        Telehealth Family Physician Assistant \u2014 physical assessment requested by receiving specialist, per 15 minutes or major\u00a0portion<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

        $50.35<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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        This code applies only when a family physician is\u00a0required\u00a0at the referring end to\u00a0assist\u00a0with an essential physical assessment, without which the specialist service would be ineffective. It applies only to the time spent during the consultation with the\u00a0specialist and\u00a0start\/end times must be recorded in both the claim and chart.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

        Billing tip:<\/span><\/b> This is not a general \u201csupporting the virtual visit\u201d code. It is tied to a specialist-requested physical assessment that is essential to the telehealth consultation.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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        MSP virtual care checklist<\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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        Before submitting a BC virtual care claim, confirm:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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