Policies and Guidelines

Diagnostic Services Facilities Approval Policy

Any publicly or privately-owned diagnostic facility in British Columbia that seeks to bill the British Columbia Medical Services Plan (MSP) for outpatient diagnostic services must first obtain a Certificate of Approval from  the Advisory Committee on Diagnostic Facilities (the Committee) or the Medical Services Commission (the Commission).

In order to obtain a Certificate of Approval, an application must be submitted to the Committee. Facilities must also be formally accredited by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC's Diagnostic Accreditation Program to provide the services applied for.

All Certificates of Approval are site-and-owner specific and  cannot be transferred or assigned. If a facility is sold, the new owner must apply for a new Certificate of Approval in order to bill MSP for the provision of outpatient diagnostic services.

The purpose of the application and assessment process is to establish and administer the provision of province-wide diagnostic services based on the rational distribution of services and actual need. Issues such as medical need, facility capacity, funding, integration between public and private sector, capital equipment acquisition and conflict of interest are considered when assessing an application.

Conflict of Interest Policy

The Diagnostic Facility Conflict of Interest Policy aims to ensure that conflicts of interest are identified and managed in a timely and proactive manner.

The Medical Services Commission has approved the Conflict of Interest Policy to assist persons who own or intend to own a diagnostic services facility to meet their conflict of interest obligations, with respect to their facility and beneficiaries.