As per the 2019 Physician Agreement, the Department of Health and Wellness (DHW) and Doctors Nova Scotia (DNS) developed a new framework that ensures accountability principles are applied to both physicians and the government, ensuring health-care transparency and consistency in application and ensuring all stakeholders have confidence in the APP funding model well into the future.

New accountability framework

Phase one of the new accountability framework is now being implemented among APP family physicians in solo or collaborative practice.

It includes parameters around shadow billing and panel size, and was designed with collaboration and communication as cornerstones.

Physicians will receive comprehensive quarterly reports that compare their practice profile against the accountability parameters so they can manage their practice accordingly and are able to inform DHW/DNS if there are any unforeseen circumstances impacting their practice.

An initial version of this report has been distributed to APP physicians to help them refine the data and inform the final report. Physician feedback is integral to ensuring the data and report are refined and improved.

More about the framework

All APP physicians are encouraged to refer to the webinar recording, the FAQ (which includes written answers to all questions posed during the webinar) and the infographic to aid in the interpretation of their report.

What’s next?

Phase two includes family physicians on a group APP or whose practices are unique (such as First Nations clinics, geriatric/palliative care, rehab and CECs), which will commence soon.

Feedback and questions

Feedback on the new framework, the quarterly reports or information related to your practice that would alter your accountability parameters should be communicated to one of the following:   

Ryan Brown
Physician advisor (Northern and Eastern zones)
902-304-6569
ryan.brown@doctorsns.com

Jennifer Girard
Physician advisor (Central zone)
902-240-6301
1-800-563-3427
jennifer.girard@doctorsns.com

Noelle Moulaison
Physician advisor (Western zone)
902-740-5240
1-800-563-3427
noelle.moulaison@doctorsns.com

Kim Oakley
Senior physician advisor and compensation manager
902-221-3064
1-800-563-3427
kim.oakley@doctorsns.com

Barbarie Palmer
Project Executive, Physician Services
Department of Health and Wellness
barbarie.palmer@novascotia.ca