Improving access to mental health care

More Albertans will receive the mental health care they need as a result of billing code changes allowing psychiatrists to provide additional virtual care.

Alberta’s government is making changes to allow psychiatrists to bill for virtual indirect care as part of a psychiatric consultation. Currently, only time spent with a patient is counted toward virtual care billing code time requirements. Time taken with sameday patient management activities, such as reviewing patient history, ordering tests and completing the medical record, will now be eligible for payment.

“The pandemic has had a significant impact on Albertans’ mental health. Psychiatrists have a very important role in providing assistance to the mental health needs of Albertans. By continuing to expand virtual care, we are improving Albertans’ access to supports and providing them with more treatment options.”

Jason Copping, Minister of Health

Another change will allow psychiatrists to bill for time when a child’s treatment is discussed with their guardian. Currently, psychiatrists can only bill when talking with a patient directly.

“The AMA and the government are negotiating a new interest-based agreement. In establishing our working relationship, we have agreed to address some priorities requiring action now to support physician practices and encourage uptake of virtual care. Today, through continued collaboration in the interests of patients, we fill another gap in mental health care delivery.”

'r. Michelle Warren, president, Alberta Medical Association

“Improving access to a range of addiction and mental health treatment services is key to a recovery-oriented system of care. Allowing psychiatrists to provide additional care means that more Albertans will have the opportunity to pursue recovery.”

Mike Ellis, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions

These changes will be effective retroactively. Eligible services performed on or after Feb. 1, 2022, will be assessed on the basis of enhanced billing codes for virtual psychiatric care.

The changes build on virtual care expansions the government and the Alberta Medical Association AMA announced in 'ecember 2021 to encourage more physicians to provide care virtually and make virtual health care more readily available to Albertans.

Psychiatrists are currently compensated by the government for providing virtual patient visits, consultations and group therapy.