The following common questions have been raised by podiatric surgeons regarding the amalgamation of the College of Podiatric Surgeons of BC and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC. This document will continue to evolve so please check back regularly to obtain the most up-to-date responses. To submit questions, please email cpodsbc@cpsbc.ca.
Will podiatric surgeons continue to be allowed to charge patients for orthotics?
Will podiatric surgeons continue to be allowed to charge patients for orthotics?
Will the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) Code of Ethics and Professionalism apply to podiatric surgeons, even though they are not members of the CMA?
Will the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) Code of Ethics and Professionalism apply to podiatric surgeons, even though they are not members of the CMA?
Once the amalgamation is complete will podiatric surgeons be included on Pathways?
Once the amalgamation is complete will podiatric surgeons be included on Pathways?
Will continuing education (CE)/continuing medical education (CME) requirements change in any significant way?
Will continuing education (CE)/continuing medical education (CME) requirements change in any significant way?
Will podiatric surgeons be allowed to join Doctors of BC as members?
Will podiatric surgeons be allowed to join Doctors of BC as members?
After the amalgamation, will podiatric surgeons’ scope be incrementally reduced?
After the amalgamation, will podiatric surgeons’ scope be incrementally reduced?
Will the College set prices for appointments and procedure billing even though podiatric surgeons do not bill and collect from the Medical Services Plan (MSP)?
Will the College set prices for appointments and procedure billing even though podiatric surgeons do not bill and collect from the Medical Services Plan (MSP)?
Will podiatric surgeons be permitted to refer patients directly to other specialists instead of having to refer back to the family physician to do so?
Will podiatric surgeons be permitted to refer patients directly to other specialists instead of having to refer back to the family physician to do so?
Will the College assist podiatric surgeons in reducing restrictions on prescribing narcotics once the colleges have amalgamated?
Will the College assist podiatric surgeons in reducing restrictions on prescribing narcotics once the colleges have amalgamated?
Will the College be refunding money to podiatric surgeons if there is a surplus in funds following the amalgamation of the two colleges?
Will the College be refunding money to podiatric surgeons if there is a surplus in funds following the amalgamation of the two colleges?
What will happen to podiatric surgeons whose registration with the existing college expires on December 31, 2020?
What will happen to podiatric surgeons whose registration with the existing college expires on December 31, 2020?
Will podiatric surgeons be required to get a new MSP number?
Will podiatric surgeons be required to get a new MSP number?
Will podiatric surgeons need to update their prescription pads to include their College ID number (CPSID)?
Accreditation
If podiatric surgeons must do surgery at an accredited facility, what are the standards that they will need to meet and when? Is there a transition period?
If podiatric surgeons must do surgery at an accredited facility, what are the standards that they will need to meet and when? Is there a transition period?
Can podiatric surgeons continue to do simple procedures in office?
Can podiatric surgeons continue to do simple procedures in office?
Can podiatric surgeons continue to do complex procedures in office? What is defined as a complex surgery?
Can podiatric surgeons continue to do complex procedures in office? What is defined as a complex surgery?
Is there a list of procedures that can be performed in an office and a list of procedures that must be performed in an accredited non-hospital facility?
Is there a list of procedures that can be performed in an office and a list of procedures that must be performed in an accredited non-hospital facility?
Are podiatric surgeons accredited or are facilities accredited?
Are podiatric surgeons accredited or are facilities accredited?
Where can podiatric surgeons find credentialing requirements for working in non-hospital facilities?
Where can podiatric surgeons find credentialing requirements for working in non-hospital facilities?
What is the timeline for podiatric surgeons to become accredited by the NHMSFAP?
What is the timeline for podiatric surgeons to become accredited by the NHMSFAP?
Can a podiatric surgeon be the medical director of a non-hospital facility?
Can a podiatric surgeon be the medical director of a non-hospital facility?
If a podiatric surgeon chooses not to pursue accrediting their own office but would like to start operating at a colleague’s accredited non-hospital facility, do they need to apply to that facility by February 2021?
If a podiatric surgeon chooses not to pursue accrediting their own office but would like to start operating at a colleague’s accredited non-hospital facility, do they need to apply to that facility by February 2021?
Do podiatric surgeons who are already working in accredited non-hospital facilities have to reapply on a yearly basis?
Do podiatric surgeons who are already working in accredited non-hospital facilities have to reapply on a yearly basis?
Will all podiatric surgeons get the application for having a surgical center?
Will all podiatric surgeons get the application for having a surgical center?
What fee is the facility charged for the assessment and reassessment?
What fee is the facility charged for the assessment and reassessment?
Will podiatric surgeons be required to be board certified to keep doing surgery?
Will podiatric surgeons be required to be board certified to keep doing surgery?
Can podiatric surgeons continue operating as they currently are between now and February 2021?
Can podiatric surgeons continue operating as they currently are between now and February 2021?
Is there a podiatric surgeon on the NHMSFAP Committee?
Is there a podiatric surgeon on the NHMSFAP Committee?
What type of inspections will be required for podiatric surgeons who are not working in accredited facilities?
What type of inspections will be required for podiatric surgeons who are not working in accredited facilities?
Will there be an independent review of standards specifically for podiatric surgical facilities?
Will there be an independent review of standards specifically for podiatric surgical facilities?