This program (new fee codes 891B, 899B) is applicable to all community-based fee-for-service family physicians providing extended/after-hours office-based services and virtual care (5 p.m. – 8 a.m. on weekdays, weekends and statutory holidays), and applies to eligible visit services provided during scheduled and unscheduled/walk-in visits.

Please note that family physicians do not need to apply for this program. These new fee codes will be available in their EMRs and can be billed with eligible services provided during after-hours.

891B – Extended/After-hours-office-based visit payment – $12.00

This service code is billable when the following General Practice (B Section) visit services are provided in a community-based office between 5 p.m. – 8 a.m. on weekdays, all-day weekends and statutory holidays:

Eligible service codes for Extended/After-hours office-based visit payment:

• 3B, 4B, 5B, 8B, 9B, 11B, 15B, 40B, 42B, 43B, 55B, 64B, 150B, 163B, 205B, 206B, and 207B.

This code is billable in addition to the existing F-premium where applicable.

899B – Extended/After-hours virtual care visit payment – $8.00

This service code is billable when the following General Practice (B Section) virtual care visit services are provided via telephone or secure video between 5 p.m. – 8 a.m. on weekdays, all-day weekends and stat holidays:. 

Eligible service codes for Extended/After-hours virtual care visit payment:

• 805B, 809B, 811B, 840B, 855B, and 864B.

The F-premium is not applicable to virtual care codes; only the new add-on code can be billed with eligible virtual care service codes. 

Program parameters:

• Program effective date is May 1, 2023 to until further notice.
  

• These two extended/after-hours service codes are billable by Saskatchewan licensed fee-for-service family physicians when providing certain visit services to Saskatchewan beneficiaries, as specified above.

• They are billable with scheduled visits or walk-in visits in an office location.

• 891B is billable with in-person visit services provided to out-of-province residents, but not reciprocally by out-of-province physicians.

• They are not eligible for any premiums or surcharges.

• They are not billable when the visit service has not been performed personally by the physician.

• The 10% after-hours ‘F’ premium is still applicable to services provided in an office location during the hours of 7 p.m. – 7 a.m. on weekdays, weekends and statutory holidays.

• Family physicians who are compensated by an alternate payment plan (APP), or directly by the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) are permitted to “shadow bill” these services, but no payment will be eligible.

• The ministry and the SMA reserve the right to mutually agree to reduce, suspend or cancel these items, and/or make changes to the rates/amounts paid to ensure financial accountability and effectiveness.