Coronavirus message - Repatriating retired doctors - March 19, 2020

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Coronavirus message - Repatriating retired doctors - March 19, 2020

Dear Doctor,

Yesterday, Premier Stephen McNeil announced that Nova Scotia is enlisting the support of retired doctors who wish to provide services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Doctors who have retired in the past three years may be eligible to return to practise.

If retired members wish to return to practise, all organizations will work with them to make the process as smooth and easy as possible.

  • Doctors Nova Scotia will not require retired physicians to become full members. Their membership category will remain the same.
  • The Department of Health and Wellness will pay retired physicians’ Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA) dues.
  • The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia will not charge fees for licensing. The College can quickly provide licensure. The restricted licence – restricted to pandemic response as directed by the NSHA/IWK – has the following criteria:
    • Physicians must have practised in the last three years
    • The end date for these licences will be June 30, 2020, to be re-visited as required
    • No fee will be charged for this licensure
    • Physicians must obtain CMPA coverage
      For physicians that do not currently qualify: note the above info and be aware that your name will remain on a list as the needs and requirements may change over time as the College stays in close contact with Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) and the IWK. If physicians have questions about this restricted licence, please contact the College at: registration@cpsns.ns.ca.
  • The NSHA will manage the paperwork for physicians returning to practise, including reinstating billing numbers.

Retired physicians over the age of 65 who return to work may be at greater risk if they contract COVID-19. To protect their health, DNS encourages these physicians to provide care virtually—using the telephone or other virtual care platforms.

A new fee code was approved yesterday that will support physicians to provide care using non face-to-face methods. Read the MSI bulletin.

We want retired physicians to be able to practise during the pandemic while limiting their risk of contracting the virus and minimizing the financial obligations of returning to practise.

Any physician interested in practising may contact Katrina Philopoulos at Katrina.Philopoulos@nshealth.ca.

Sincerely,

Gary Ernest, MD, CCFP, FCFP, MBA
President