Enrolment

Midwives who are licensed by the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) are eligible to enrol with MSP and obtain MSP billing numbers.

Enrolment status, and, therefore, the possession of an active billing number, is contingent upon the practitioner's continued licensure by the BCCNM. Any change in licensure, such as the renewal of a temporary license or specialty, must be reported to MSP to avoid refusal of claims.

Enrolled Midwives

Licensed midwives who register with MSP are called "enrolled" midwives. Enrolled midwives can bill MSP directly for eligible services provided to eligible MSP beneficiaries.

Midwives Who Are Not Enrolled

The services of a non-enrolled or de-enrolled midwife are not benefits of MSP. These services can be billed directly to the patient for an amount more than that set in the midwifery payment schedule, provided the patient is advised of the practitioner's payment protocol before the service is rendered.

Assignment of a Billing Number

Each practitioner enrolled with MSP is assigned a billing number consisting of two numbers:

• a practitioner number, which identifies the practitioner rendering the service, and
• a payment number, which identifies the person or group (e.g. clinic, hospital) to which payment is to be made.

The practitioner and payment numbers are usually the same. However, they differ in cases where a practitioner designates another practitioner or a group, such as a clinic or hospital, to receive that practitioner's MSP fee-for-service payments. See Assignment of Payment.

All claims submitted to MSP must include the practitioner number of the practitioner who performed the service; therefore, a practitioner cannot bill under another practitioner's number. The practitioner whose number appears on the MSP claim assumes full responsibility for the service provided.

Applying for a Billing Number

Midwives wishing to obtain a billing number from MSP must follow a clearly defined process.

1. You must first request licensure from the BCCNM.
2. You must complete and submit the following application form:
   • Application for MSP Billing Number (Midwives) (HLTH2996) (PDF, 126KB)

Change of Address or Licence

If you change your address or telephone number, or if there is a change in your specialty or licence status, you must advise MSP so that your records can be updated accordingly. Timely notification of changes enables MSP to provide practitioners with accurate and efficient service and helps prevent unnecessary refusal of claims.