The Manitoba Medical Association and Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba have reached a tentative three-year agreement recognizing the comprehensive nature of services physicians provide to WCB claimants.

"We are pleased at this positive outcome of our recent negotiations with the WCB," said MMA President Dr. Garth Campbell." The new agreement acknowledges the important role physicians play in helping injured employees recover and return to work as soon as possible.

"We, at WCB, value doctors' time and the care physicians provide to our claimants," said Doug Sexsmith, CEO of WCB of Manitoba. "This tentative three-year agreement is a very positive development which offers service stability to our claimants and responds fairly to physician concerns about the time spent documenting WCB services," concluded Sexsmith.

In particular, Dr. Campbell explained, new administrative fees address the non-clinical time physicians spend working with WCB staff on various issues relating to the care and recovery of claimants. For example, they often present in the emergency room or trauma centre with serious work-related injuries requiring immediate attention. Subsequent follow-up surgeries and treatment may extend over a lengthy period. At various stages, physicians are involved in assessments and discussions about the patient's work situation, surgery outcomes, the rehabilitation plan and return-to-work plan.

This agreement represents the first increase in WCB reporting and administrative fees paid to physicians since 1997.

Highlights of the agreement are as follows:

• New Administrative Fee - General applies to family physicians and specialists seeing WCB claimants on second and subsequent visits. The rate is $10.00.
• New Administrative Fee - Surgical is paid for urgent/emergent or WCB-approved surgical procedures. The rate is $100.00 or $200.00, depending on complexity. It is based on the provincially insured (Manitoba Health) rate WCB pays for the procedure itself. The new surgical administrative fee includes payment to anesthetists and for pain management procedures.
• First Visit Report Fee and Progress Report Fee increase to $30.00. The previous rate was $20.50.
• Comprehensive Consultation Report Fee increases to $100.00 per page. Previously, physicians were paid $50.00 per page, or at an hourly rate with WCB's prior approval.
• All of the above fees will increase by 3% on January 1, 2004 and again on January 1, 2005.
• A mechanism for resolving fee disputes includes access to arbitration.

The tentative contract is the first of its kind to be negotiated by the two parties.

"We at the WCB want to build on this spirit of cooperation to enhance our relationship with Manitoba doctors in ways which will help our claimants receive the care they need for a speedy return to health and work," said Sexsmith.

The agreement remains tentative until ratified in an MMA membership vote, with the ballot return deadline November 24. Meanwhile, the MMA has agreed to ask physicians who have participated in a WCB service withdrawal over the past five months to cease the job action. It was launched over concerns about remuneration.