Coming soon: New rules for Quebec specialists

Québec specialists in areas such as allergology-immunology, urology, obstetrics-gynecology, emergency medicine and dermatology face a number of new or repealed procedure rules and codes in the weeks ahead. The Institut de la pertinence des actes médicaux (IPAM)—an organization made up of representatives of the Fédération des médecins spécialistes du Québec and the provincial government—has introduced the following changes, to take effect on Feb. 1, with the exception of changes for dermatology, which take effect March 1. Read: Facing staff shortages, Quebec asks public sector workers to help in health system Allergology and immunology: Ultra-rapid insect venom hyposensitization treatment will be limited to four injections per type of venom, per patient, per day. Urology: Follow-up cystoscopy will be limited to two per patient for the first year of treatment, and one per patient in subsequent years for low-risk primary bladder tumors. There will be no limit on the number of cystoscopies per year for recurrent low-risk bladder tumors, nor for intermediate- or high-risk bladder tumors. Obstetrics and gynecology: The code for wedge resection to treat infertility in patients with chronic anovulation syndrome (polycystic ovary syndrome) will be repealed. The Association of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Québec no longer considers this treatment as a recommended practice for this clientele. Emergency medicine: Code 00522 for gastric lavage will be repealed, due to the “low value-added” level of evidence associated with this procedure, according to the institute’s newsletter published in December. If gastric lavage is indicated, this procedure will be performed by an emergency room nurse who has the required training. Dermatology: Only one phototherapy treatment per day per patient can be claimed. Physicians will be paid at 100% for the first 60 sessions per year for a phytotherapy treatment for psoriasis or atopic dermatitis and at 50% for subsequent sessions. The cap of 60 sessions per patient does not apply to phototherapy treatment for conditions other than psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. Read: Will Quebec's stricter vaccine passport sway those who've refused the jab up to now? This piece was translated and edited from its original French and appeared originally in Profession Santé.

Coming soon: New rules for Quebec specialists

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