Email notifications feature update, OntarioMD funding ends, and BC MSP fees increase

Just a few quick updates regarding the email notifications feature, the OntarioMD funding program, and a recent change to BC's MSP fee schedule. Find out more about the changes below.

Email notifications without online booking

The feature that sends email notifications for appointments is now available for Oscar without needing the online booking module as well! If you'd like to find out more about how this works with Oscar, please get in touch!

OntarioMD funding ends

Going the way of the dodo (like PITO in BC and POSP in Alberta), the OntarioMD funding program has now officially come to an end. Physicians in Ontario can no longer be funded for using an EMR.

MSP fee increase in BC

As of April 1st, 2015, a fee increase occurred in BC, funded from the 2015/2016 fee allocation. The fee increase was implemented on June 4th, with the most current rates available for download as of June 5th.

Any claims that were being processed when the change was made and have been submitted at the previous rates will be adjusted to match the new rates. The explanatory code BG-Amount will be displayed and a retroactive payment will be applied to a future remittance for any services provided between April 1st and June 4th that have been paid using the previous rates.

The MSC Payment Schedule on the MSP website will be updated with the new rates shortly.

New features for ClinicAid billing add-on and client profile | OscarHost blog

Spring is upon us and we hope you're enjoying the longer days as much as we are!

We've been using the extra light to update the ClinicAid billing software, a module that can easily integrate into your OSCAR instance. This update allows for automatic code associations to facilitate even faster billing.

We also have our first client profile, a brief introduction to one of our oldest OscarHost users, Amari Medical Clinic. More details about the BC billing updates and our brief interview with Dr. Sachit Shah from Amari Medical Clinic can be found below.

New features for ClinicAid billing add-on

One of the features we've been hard at work on is code associations for our ClinicAid-integrated OSCAR users. This new feature will allow ClinicAid users to create invoices that auto-fill multiple codes associated with one another. For example, when billing an injection, an association can be created for the code to automatically also bill for the office visit. Code associations are easily created within the interface and will allow users to save time when completing their billing through ClinicAid.

For BC ClinicAid users, we've also added age-based service codes that automatically fill the appropriate code based on the patient's age. Once the age association code is selected on an invoice, the billing software will complete the correct service code for that particular patient.

These new features make ClinicAid an even more user-friendly option for BC OSCAR users. If you'd like to see how our ClinicAid billing software can help you bill quicker and easier, please get in touch for a free demo.

Introducing Amari Medical Clinic

Amari Medical Clinic is one of our oldest clients here at OscarHost. The clinic is based in Surrey, BC and serves White Rock, Langley, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, and other surrounding areas. Its focus is on family practice, but also offers chiropractic, massage therapy, and rehabilitation services.

The clinic has been making use of EMR since 1999 and became an OscarHost client in 2012. Staff at Amari are currently also using the MyHealthAccess application, integrated with their OscarHost instance, and already have over 1000 patient connections.

Dr. Shah is one of the physicians at Amari Medical Clinic and has worked in Surrey since 1997. Initially starting as a solo practitioner, he now works with over 10 physicians in multiple locations. When asked what he likes about OscarHost's services, this is what he had to say:

"We have had excellent service. We love Oscarhost. We are always pleased with their prompt attention."

Dr. Sachit Shah

One of the clinic staff's favourite features about using OscarHost combined with MyHealthAccess is the ease with which patients are able to make appointments.

Thank you for your continued support, Dr. Shah and Amari Medical Clinic!

We wish you a very bright and warm start to spring!

BC MSP cut-off dates for 2014

BC physicians and medical practitioners are able to electronically submit their Medical Service Plan (MSP) claims through the Teleplan system. Cut-off dates for Teleplan claim submissions in BC occur twice a month. Remittance files are posted about 7-10 days after cut-off, with payment being made shortly after that (generally within a few days). 

Claims should be submitted by 7:00 p.m. on the day of cut-off in order to be assessed for the next remittance date and paid out. Remittance files can be accessed as of 5:00 a.m. on the dates the remittance is posted.

MSP cut-off, remittance, and deposit dates for 2014 are as follows:

Month	MSP Cut-off 7:00 PM	Remittance Posted	Payment
January	3rd	13th	15th
	21st	29th	31st
February	3rd	12th	14th
	18th	26th	28th
March	4th	12th	14th
	19th	27th	31st
April	3rd	11th	15th
	16th	28th	30th
May	5th	13th	15th
	20th	28th	30th
June	3rd	11th	13th
	18th	26th	30th
July	3rd	11th	15th
	21st	29th	31st
August	5th	13th	15th
	19th	27th	29th
September	3rd	11th	15th
	18th	26th	30th
October	2nd	10th	15th
	21st	29th	31st
November	3rd	12th	14th
	18th	26th	28th
December	3rd	11th	15th
	16th	24th	31st
January - 2015	5th	13th	15th

Statutory Holidays in BC for 2014 are as follows:

January 1st

February 10th

April 18th

April 21st

May 19th

July 1st

August 4th

September 1st

October 13th

November 11th

December 25th

December 26th

Please note that MSP will be closed on these dates.