Annual retention benefits are paid to physicians working in eligible communities covered under the RSA.  The incentive program was designed to enhance the supply and stability of physicians in RSA communities.

A physician’s individual premium is determined by the number of isolation points of his or her community: 30% of medical isolation points are paid as a flat fee amount, while the remaining 70% are paid as a fee-for-service premium.  Physicians who are paid by a method other than fee-for-service will receive a retention payment equivalent to the fee-for-service premium, and the flat fee sum.  Physicians must meet eligibility requirements in order to qualify for the flat fee sum.

Isolation point ratings are based on a number of factors, including the number of GPs in the community, and the distance of the community from a major medical community.  The Joint Standing Committee on Rural Issues (JSC) administers the RRP and determines the value of retention premiums.  RSA communities must have a minimum of 6.0 isolation points to qualify for retention payments.

If a physician lives in a RSA community but practices in a different RSA community, he or she will receive the fee premium and flat sum premium for the community where he or she practices.

For communities without a resident physician, or with a vacancy, the total isolation points will be applied as a fee premium, to a maximum of 30%.

The fee-for-service premium is automatically paid as long as the Service Clarification Code of the community where the service is provided is on the Medical Services Plan (MSP) claim.

To Qualify for the Flat Fee Premium

  • You must be a physician residing and directly providing medical services in an eligible RSA community.
  • You must be living and working in an eligible RSA community for at least nine months per year.
  • You must have billings equal to or greater than $65,000 in the previous year to qualify for the flat fee.

Rural Retention Program Policy Framework for Health Authorities by the Ministry of Health - 2011

For information contact:

Rural Practice Programs:

Physician Compensation
Rural Practice Programs
Ministry of Health Services
3-2, 1515 Blanshard St
Victoria BC V8W 3C8
ph: 250 952-2754
fax: 250 952-3486
email: HLTH.RuralPrograms@gov.bc.ca
website: Ministry of Health Services

BC Medical Association
115 – 1665 West Broadway
Vancouver BC V6J 5A4
ph: 604 736-5551 or 1 800 665-2262
email: ruralprograms@bcma.bc.ca
website: BCMA