Direct Billing
We are able to direct-bill most insurers for the following services: Registered Massage Therapy, Physiotherapy (including Pelvic Health), Acupuncture, and Chiropractic.
Osteopathic Manual Therapy can be direct billed for some insurers depending on your plan/policy.
Registered Clinical Counselling and Kinesiology are direct-billable under ICBC only.
Please note there are some exceptions to the above, feel free to email the clinic for any clarification.
Alberta Blue Cross
BPA
Canada Life (formerly Great West Life)
Canadian Construction Workers Union (CCWU)
Chamber of Commerce Group Insurance Plan
CINUP (Johnson Group)
ClaimSecure
Cowan Insurance Group (Express Scripts Canada)
D.A. Townley
Desjardins Insurance
Empire Life
Equitable Life
First Canadian (Johnson Group)
GMS Carriers 49 & 50 (Express Scripts Canada)
GreenShield Canada
GroupHEALTH
GroupSource
Honeybee
ICBC
Industrial Alliance Insurance & Financial Services
Johnston Group Inc.
Johnson Inc.
LiUNA Local 183
LiUNA Local 506
Manion
Manulife Financial
Maximum Benefit or Johnson Group
Medavie Blue Cross
MSP
NexgenRx
Pacific Blue Cross
People Corporation
SSQ Insurance
Sun Life Financial
Telus AdjudiCare
The Co-operators
You will need to have the following information available in order for us to direct the bill for you.
The Policy/Plan Members:
- Whether you are the plan member, spouse or dependent
- First and Last name
- Birthdate
- Policy/Plan Number
- Member ID/Certificate #
Usually when a patient is using their insurance for the first time, or for the first time in a new insurance year, they have a deductible which needs to be paid before their treatments are covered. This is why you may be required to pay a bit more for your first (or first few) appointment(s). Once your deductible is paid you will not have to pay it again until your insurance renews the following year or your annual limit is reached.
Unless your policy has full coverage, patients will usually be required by their insurance plans to pay a portion of each treatment. These balances vary by plan so it is best to check with your insurance provider as to what your policy covers.
Deductibles vary by insurance company and by each individual policy. As there is no universal amount for a deductible, it is best to check with your insurance provider as to what your deductible amount is.
Sometimes. Billing multiple insurers or plans is dependent on a variety of factors (primary v. secondary provider etc. ) which are stipulated by the insurance companies themselves. Patients are encouraged to bring in all their direct billing information (see above question 3) and we will submit as much as is possible on their behalf.
Give us a call at (250) 370-5525, or email us at hello@betahealth.ca and one of our front end staff will be happy to help you!
Billing & Payment Procedure
Beta Team-Based Healthcare: Core Values for Cohesive Collaboration
At Beta Team-Based Healthcare, we nurture a culture of excellence and teamwork, striving to unite diverse healthcare professionals to offer optimal patient care. Our core values form the bedrock of our unified and patient-centred approach.
Organizational values go beyond words on a wall; they're our cultural compass. They foster teamwork, guide decisions, and define us collectively. Embracing these values creates a motivated and harmonious workplace.
Our values steer our choices, ensuring alignment with our mission and ethics. And our values shape how the public sees us. They reflect our commitment to ethics and quality, building trust and a strong reputation.
- Respect: We value all team members, fostering an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives are valued and voices heard. This mutual respect forms the basis for trust and positivity.
- Communication: Open and transparent communication ensures effective teamwork. We listen actively, encourage feedback, and communicate clearly with both our team and patients for optimal outcomes.
- Consistency: Standardized, evidence-based practices guide our care, ensuring patient safety, continuity, and trust. We uphold these standards collectively.
- Curiosity: Our culture of learning drives innovation and growth. We embrace new ideas, pursue knowledge, and share insights for enhanced patient care.
- Congruency: We align actions with values, establishing trust and credibility. Our integrity shines through in every interaction, fostering ethical behaviour and accountability.
- Integrity: Ethical standards define our practice. Patient advocacy, confidentiality, and responsibility are paramount in our actions.
- Trust: Trust is the bedrock of collaboration. We cultivate it through openness, respect, and consistent actions, enabling effective teamwork and patient care.
By embracing these values, we create an environment for our collaborative healthcare team to thrive, impacting patients positively and providing exceptional care together.
Impact on Healthcare in British Columbia: Shaping a Better World
In British Columbia, transformative changes in healthcare are vital to better patient outcomes and provider well-being. These are some ways that Beta strives to create change in the strained healthcare system.
- Enhanced Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Collaboration across disciplines improves patient care. We break silos, promote teamwork, and offer comprehensive, patient-centred treatments.
- Preventive Care and Health Promotion: Shifting focus to preventive care and health promotion prevents diseases, improves patients' lives and reduces the healthcare burden
- Empowering Patient Engagement: Shared decision-making enhances patient autonomy and outcomes, fostering trust and congruency within the team.
- Strengthening Primary Care: Robust primary care enhances patient access and continuity, reducing unnecessary hospitalizations, and easing the strain on emergency services.
- Leveraging Technology and Innovation: Embracing technology improves communication, access, and care delivery, aligning with curiosity and better outcomes.
- Promoting Ethical and Transparent Practices: Ethical, transparent practices enhance patient-provider trust and safety, aligning with values of integrity and communication.
These changes benefit patients, providers, and the entire healthcare system, as we collectively strive for a healthier, more connected future.
Team-Based Care Collaborations: Transforming Healthcare Together
At Beta, we're pioneering a healthcare model that revolves around the patient and disperses the care of their needs among a group of health care professionals. Our approach is simple yet revolutionary: team-based care collaborations. This means that healthcare professionals from various fields, including physicians, nurse practitioners, and our dedicated allied healthcare team, come together to provide comprehensive, holistic care.
Why? Because we understand that a patient's health is multifaceted, and addressing their unique needs requires a symphony of expertise. By combining our knowledge, skills, and resources, we can create care plans that are not just effective but exceptional.
However, this collaborative approach relies on something crucial: clear communication and seamless teamwork among our staff and practitioners. We hold regular meetings to discuss patient care plans, we use electronic health records to share vital information, and we are continually looking for ways to improve our systems and methods. All this ensures that patient care is coordinated and comprehensive.
Our team-based approach allows the primary care providers more space to focus on their longevity medicine expertise, leaving the annual assessments and some preventive care to us. This provides patients with even more attentive and personalized care. We want to help fill some of the the gaps in patient care in BC’s healthcare system.
While this model might be new to some, it’s the direction that healthcare is heading in this province. We're actively exploring innovative ways for everyone's unique expertise to work in harmony because we believe that this approach has the power to deliver exceptional patient outcomes and support our dedicated physicians and nurse practitioners.
Choosing to be part of Beta means choosing a healthcare model that's evolving, improving, and ultimately putting the patient at the centre of it all.
Thank you for being part of our journey to redefine healthcare. Together, we're making a difference.
Learn about Beta’s Primary Care Model: Understanding Our Clinic's Healthcare Approach
We don't expect you to become a healthcare expert or to grasp all the intricacies of our province's healthcare system. However, gaining a basic understanding of what your patients might experience at our clinic can be quite beneficial.
Here's a simple breakdown of what private pay medicine looks like here at Beta:
- Â Yearly Membership: Our primary care patient panel pays a yearly membership fee to be attached to a Physician or Nurse Practitioner. There are 3 tiers of membership with differing amounts of additional allied care appointments over the year. Current membership rates and packages can be found on our website. Membership fees are strictly for uninsured services and not for publicly insured services.
- Team-Based Approach: We take a distinctive approach to healthcare by integrating the expertise of our allied care providers into the holistic care of our members. Our annual assessments, led by our allied care professionals such as physiotherapists, clinical counsellors, athletic therapists, and more, distribute care and assessments among a diverse group of healthcare experts. This approach leads to improved outcomes as these specialists conduct assessments within their areas of expertise, thus supporting the workload on the primary care provider. It's a collaborative effort that enhances the quality of healthcare our members receive.
In summary, private pay clinics in BC offer healthcare services for a fee, giving patients the option to access important healthcare services. These services are not included in those covered by the publicly funded healthcare system. A patient is still able to access medically necessary care through public health care if they one day need it in conjunction with their private pay care, as in the instance of needing cancer treatment or emergency surgery.
As we work together in this dynamic and collaborative healthcare setting, it's crucial that we prioritize prompt and effective communication.
Clear and timely communication can make all the difference in ensuring that our patients receive the best possible care, our staff are able to complete their duties, and colleagues are able to collaborate.
Let's work together to keep the lines of communication open and make sure we're all on the same page.
As rule of thumb:
- Reply to text & Slack messages ASAP.
- Reply to emails within 3 business days.
- Check in with Slack at least once a week to catch up on things.
Learn about how you and the clinic will maintain excellent communication:
- Emails
At Beta, our team of dedicated practitioners thrives on seamless communication. Whether it's sharing important updates, collaborating on patient cases, or brainstorming new ideas, our emails keep us connected and informed.
Given that these emails often involve action items with specific timelines, we've established an easy protocol to ensure smooth coordination. When you receive an email from the front desk, a quick read and a timely response are highly appreciated. This acknowledgment lets us know that the email has safely landed in your inbox and that you're on the case.
Furthermore, if you can't immediately address the action item, providing a brief timeline for completion can be incredibly helpful. This transparency helps us manage expectations and ensures that tasks are handled efficiently.This collaborative approach keeps us all in sync and helps us maintain a smooth workflow, especially when dealing with time-sensitive matters. Together, let's continue to make our communication effective and our actions impactful.
- Text Messages
At Beta, we understand that urgent matters sometimes require a more immediate touch. That's why, on occasion, we might reach out to you through text messages. Think of it as our way of ensuring swift and personalized communication for matters that need urgent attention or have a personal touch.These text messages serve as a direct line to keep you informed about time-sensitive updates, critical patient needs, or anything that requires your swift response. It's all part of our commitment to providing the best care possible, even when time is of the essence. But don’t worry, we won’t use this as a main line of communication, that’s what email is for.
- Slack
Ever wondered how independent contractors, each with their own unique schedules, manage to stay in the loop about all things happening at Beta? That's where Slack comes to the rescue.
Acting as our virtual water cooler, Slack brings all contractors together, making sure everyone's up-to-date with the latest buzz. Whether it's clinic news, or cool updates, Slack keeps us connected and feeling like one big team. So, cheers to staying informed and keeping the Beta team-based spirit alive, no matter when you clock in.
During your onboarding process you will have received an invitation to join our Slack channel. If you have any trouble with getting yourself set up with it, please reach out to the front desk or the communications coordinator to see if they can help you out.Slack Best Practices:
Based on practitioner feedback, we’ve heard that people want to keep the Beta Slack channels focussed on relevant clinic communications.There’s nothing like the overwhelm of opening an app and having to sort through 67 new notifications, many of which are sassy memes or personal interest posts! Love it, but also dread it, right?
We’re all busy professionals, so let’s be most efficient by using Slack as a way to collaborate on patient care, or catch up on clinic announcements & reminders.
Please note that at this point Slack is not capable of keeping an archive of our exchanges and is best used for present-time interactions. Content older that 90 days is archived out of our view. Just a good thing to know!
Quick Reference
Email: scheduling@betahealth.ca
Call/text: (250)-370-5525
Managing patient bookings and practitioner scheduling requests can be a complex and challenging task. But fear not, you have a fantastic front desk team to support your practice.
Our goal is to ensure that patients receive top-notch care and our practitioners have the time and resources they need to deliver it. Let's work together to make the scheduling process a breeze.
Sudden Sickness or Injuries
If you're suddenly unwell or injured and need to cancel your shift, please act promptly.
Morning Shifts (8 am - 2 pm)
- Notify the front desk as early as possible by calling/texting 250-370-5525. They'll handle your patient bookings.
- If it's before the clinic opens, do these three things:
- Post a message on Slack in #pick-up-shifts to check if someone can cover for you.
- Call the patients scheduled between 8:00 am - 9:30 am (contact info in JaneApp).If it's before the clinic opens, do these three things:
- Text/call the clinic to confirm your absence.
Afternoon Shifts (2 pm - 8 pm)
- Call/text the clinic by 9:00 am to report your absence, 250-370-5525.
- Â If no one picks up your shift by 10:00 am, the front desk will reschedule your patients.
Weekend Shifts
- Follow the Morning Shift protocol.
For Better Notice: If you anticipate illness/injury the night before, that's even more helpful. Our front desk staff are available until 8:00 pm. If it's after this time and you need to initiate this process, post a message on Slack in #pick-up-shifts to inquire if someone can cover for you. Most importantly: Get well soon!
Taking Time Off
To request time off for vacation or other personal reasons, please email your requested days off to scheduling@betathealth.ca
- The front desk staff have a system for tracking who is away and when, so please leave it to them to block off your schedule and adjust any pre-existing bookings for your time away.
- Please provide as much notice as possible, *ideally 2 or more weeks*, to allow for ample time for rescheduling existing bookings or reallocating room use for another practitioner who may want to pick up your shifts.
- If you are looking to take more than 4 consecutive weeks off, please review your Professional Services Agreement/Contract to be sure you understand your obligations regarding time away and send an email to start the conversation about how to organize this for you.
- The front desk staff will get back to you to confirm that your schedule has been blocked off, and will also initiate the conversation around pick-up shifts so you have an opportunity to make up for any lost revenue.
Picking Up Shifts
If you want to temporarily or permanently add some shifts to your schedule there’s a good chance that we can accommodate that. Email scheduling@betathealth.ca to see what’s available.
It often works best to give yourself a 1-2 week runway to allow time for those new days on your schedule to be filled with bookings.
The Beta staff team also use the Slack Channel to communicate about last minute schedule openings, so watch for those posts if you’re looking to add to your schedule. Make sure your mobile notifications are turned on so you don’t miss any shifts that are up for grabs.
You may also want to review your Professional Services Agreement/Contract to brush up on how this works.
Adjusting Your Regular Schedule
When you signed your Professional Services Agreement/Contract, it outlined the days and times you were willing to commit to for the duration of your contract. But we understand that sometimes things change.
If you would like to explore what is available for making changes to your shift schedule, please reach out to us via email at scheduling@betathealth.ca to start a conversation about the adjustments you'd like to make.
We kindly request that you provide as much notice as possible to allow for the smooth fulfillment or rescheduling of your existing bookings. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.
Maximizing Team-Based Care with Janeapp
- Reviewing Chart Notes in Jane: A Seamless Continuation
To ensure a smooth handover of care, please prioritize the timely completion and locking of your chart notes. This practice allows fellow practitioners to seamlessly pick up from where you left off.Take a moment to review who the patient has been working with and the context of their recent appointments, especially when relevant. Scrolling down their chart provides insights into the types of appointments or assessments they've undergone, aiding your understanding of their status as primary care membership patients.
Your commitment to thorough chart note management is key to delivering the best care possible.
- Medical Alert Field in Jane
The "Medical Alert" field at the chart's top isn't a permanent fixture; it's editable by any team member. At Beta, we leverage this space for patient information that might not belong in the locked chart or for intra-clinic communication purposes.For instance, consider inputting data such as membership status, care context, or trauma histories. Doing so helps streamline patient care by avoiding repetitive discussions and ensuring essential information is readily available to the team.
- Note Feature in Jane
Adding a new "Note" field to a chart file is a breeze. Just click the three-dot button on the right side. To keep it front and centre for all to quickly see, pin it to the top of the chart using the pin icon.Here's where it gets handy:
Once you've addressed or resolved the note's content, you can "unpin" it. This helps maintain a neat and current chart header.
For instance, if a note relates to a pregnancy that has concluded or an injury that is no longer relevant, unpin it. The note remains part of the locked chart where it originated but no longer takes up the prime position at the top.
Slack and Email
Connecting with a colleague to join forces on patient care can also be done through direct messaging in Slack or by email.
You can find more about this in the Communications chapter of this handbook here.
Join Our Collaborative Sessions
At Beta, we value the strength of teamwork and knowledge sharing. That's why we host regular Collaborative Sessions, providing a platform for us to come together and collaborate in various ways:
- Collaborative: These sessions focus on supporting patients with complex care needs in a multi-disciplinary way, and finding new ways to work together cohesively and creatively. They allows us to brainstorm and innovate.
- Educational: Colleagues share their expertise on various topics. If you’re interested in presenting to the group, please contact Samantha R to arrange this.
- Workshop: In our Workshop sessions, you can seek valuable peer support for challenges you may encounter in your practice—be they administrative, clinical, or personal. We understand that our practices reflect all aspects of ourselves, and sometimes, having a community of like-minded professionals to turn to can make a significant difference.
Our Collaborative Sessions take place in the break room every couple of weeks, and all practitioners are welcome. Feel free to enjoy your lunch during these sessions.
You can find reminders for these sessions on the Jane schedule marked as a grey break with the message "Collaborative session today, 12:10-1:00! Drag this break to 12:10 to attend."
While attendance is encouraged, it's not mandatory. If you'd like to attend but are concerned about potential lost revenue, reach out to the front desk or email scheduling@betahealth.ca to explore options for making up missed time by extending an existing shift. We look forward to your active participation!
Did you miss a session and wish you could have been there? Don’t fret, you can find our growing Collaborative Session Archive here.
This page serves as a bridge to access the Beta Collaborative Session Archive, which contains valuable information and resources that have been created by and for our practitioners.
The content is stored in a Google Sheet, which you can access here.
Feel free to explore and make the most of the collaborative knowledge shared in the archive!
Other
Beta Team-Based Healthcare: Core Values for Cohesive Collaboration
At Beta Team-Based Healthcare, we nurture a culture of excellence and teamwork, striving to unite diverse healthcare professionals to offer optimal patient care. Our core values form the bedrock of our unified and patient-centred approach.
Organizational values go beyond words on a wall; they're our cultural compass. They foster teamwork, guide decisions, and define us collectively. Embracing these values creates a motivated and harmonious workplace.
Our values steer our choices, ensuring alignment with our mission and ethics. And our values shape how the public sees us. They reflect our commitment to ethics and quality, building trust and a strong reputation.
- Respect: We value all team members, fostering an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives are valued and voices heard. This mutual respect forms the basis for trust and positivity.
- Communication: Open and transparent communication ensures effective teamwork. We listen actively, encourage feedback, and communicate clearly with both our team and patients for optimal outcomes.
- Consistency: Standardized, evidence-based practices guide our care, ensuring patient safety, continuity, and trust. We uphold these standards collectively.
- Curiosity: Our culture of learning drives innovation and growth. We embrace new ideas, pursue knowledge, and share insights for enhanced patient care.
- Congruency: We align actions with values, establishing trust and credibility. Our integrity shines through in every interaction, fostering ethical behaviour and accountability.
- Integrity: Ethical standards define our practice. Patient advocacy, confidentiality, and responsibility are paramount in our actions.
- Trust: Trust is the bedrock of collaboration. We cultivate it through openness, respect, and consistent actions, enabling effective teamwork and patient care.
By embracing these values, we create an environment for our collaborative healthcare team to thrive, impacting patients positively and providing exceptional care together.
Impact on Healthcare in British Columbia: Shaping a Better World
In British Columbia, transformative changes in healthcare are vital to better patient outcomes and provider well-being. These are some ways that Beta strives to create change in the strained healthcare system.
- Enhanced Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Collaboration across disciplines improves patient care. We break silos, promote teamwork, and offer comprehensive, patient-centred treatments.
- Preventive Care and Health Promotion: Shifting focus to preventive care and health promotion prevents diseases, improves patients' lives and reduces the healthcare burden
- Empowering Patient Engagement: Shared decision-making enhances patient autonomy and outcomes, fostering trust and congruency within the team.
- Strengthening Primary Care: Robust primary care enhances patient access and continuity, reducing unnecessary hospitalizations, and easing the strain on emergency services.
- Leveraging Technology and Innovation: Embracing technology improves communication, access, and care delivery, aligning with curiosity and better outcomes.
- Promoting Ethical and Transparent Practices: Ethical, transparent practices enhance patient-provider trust and safety, aligning with values of integrity and communication.
These changes benefit patients, providers, and the entire healthcare system, as we collectively strive for a healthier, more connected future.
Team-Based Care Collaborations: Transforming Healthcare Together
At Beta, we're pioneering a healthcare model that revolves around the patient and disperses the care of their needs among a group of health care professionals. Our approach is simple yet revolutionary: team-based care collaborations. This means that healthcare professionals from various fields, including physicians, nurse practitioners, and our dedicated allied healthcare team, come together to provide comprehensive, holistic care.
Why? Because we understand that a patient's health is multifaceted, and addressing their unique needs requires a symphony of expertise. By combining our knowledge, skills, and resources, we can create care plans that are not just effective but exceptional.
However, this collaborative approach relies on something crucial: clear communication and seamless teamwork among our staff and practitioners. We hold regular meetings to discuss patient care plans, we use electronic health records to share vital information, and we are continually looking for ways to improve our systems and methods. All this ensures that patient care is coordinated and comprehensive.
Our team-based approach allows the primary care providers more space to focus on their longevity medicine expertise, leaving the annual assessments and some preventive care to us. This provides patients with even more attentive and personalized care. We want to help fill some of the the gaps in patient care in BC’s healthcare system.
While this model might be new to some, it’s the direction that healthcare is heading in this province. We're actively exploring innovative ways for everyone's unique expertise to work in harmony because we believe that this approach has the power to deliver exceptional patient outcomes and support our dedicated physicians and nurse practitioners.
Choosing to be part of Beta means choosing a healthcare model that's evolving, improving, and ultimately putting the patient at the centre of it all.
Thank you for being part of our journey to redefine healthcare. Together, we're making a difference.
Learn about Beta’s Primary Care Model: Understanding Our Clinic's Healthcare Approach
We don't expect you to become a healthcare expert or to grasp all the intricacies of our province's healthcare system. However, gaining a basic understanding of what your patients might experience at our clinic can be quite beneficial.
Here's a simple breakdown of what private pay medicine looks like here at Beta:
- Â Yearly Membership: Our primary care patient panel pays a yearly membership fee to be attached to a Physician or Nurse Practitioner. There are 3 tiers of membership with differing amounts of additional allied care appointments over the year. Current membership rates and packages can be found on our website. Membership fees are strictly for uninsured services and not for publicly insured services.
- Team-Based Approach: We take a distinctive approach to healthcare by integrating the expertise of our allied care providers into the holistic care of our members. Our annual assessments, led by our allied care professionals such as physiotherapists, clinical counsellors, athletic therapists, and more, distribute care and assessments among a diverse group of healthcare experts. This approach leads to improved outcomes as these specialists conduct assessments within their areas of expertise, thus supporting the workload on the primary care provider. It's a collaborative effort that enhances the quality of healthcare our members receive.
In summary, private pay clinics in BC offer healthcare services for a fee, giving patients the option to access important healthcare services. These services are not included in those covered by the publicly funded healthcare system. A patient is still able to access medically necessary care through public health care if they one day need it in conjunction with their private pay care, as in the instance of needing cancer treatment or emergency surgery.
As we work together in this dynamic and collaborative healthcare setting, it's crucial that we prioritize prompt and effective communication.
Clear and timely communication can make all the difference in ensuring that our patients receive the best possible care, our staff are able to complete their duties, and colleagues are able to collaborate.
Let's work together to keep the lines of communication open and make sure we're all on the same page.
As rule of thumb:
- Reply to text & Slack messages ASAP.
- Reply to emails within 3 business days.
- Check in with Slack at least once a week to catch up on things.
Learn about how you and the clinic will maintain excellent communication:
- Emails
At Beta, our team of dedicated practitioners thrives on seamless communication. Whether it's sharing important updates, collaborating on patient cases, or brainstorming new ideas, our emails keep us connected and informed.
Given that these emails often involve action items with specific timelines, we've established an easy protocol to ensure smooth coordination. When you receive an email from the front desk, a quick read and a timely response are highly appreciated. This acknowledgment lets us know that the email has safely landed in your inbox and that you're on the case.
Furthermore, if you can't immediately address the action item, providing a brief timeline for completion can be incredibly helpful. This transparency helps us manage expectations and ensures that tasks are handled efficiently.This collaborative approach keeps us all in sync and helps us maintain a smooth workflow, especially when dealing with time-sensitive matters. Together, let's continue to make our communication effective and our actions impactful.
- Text Messages
At Beta, we understand that urgent matters sometimes require a more immediate touch. That's why, on occasion, we might reach out to you through text messages. Think of it as our way of ensuring swift and personalized communication for matters that need urgent attention or have a personal touch.These text messages serve as a direct line to keep you informed about time-sensitive updates, critical patient needs, or anything that requires your swift response. It's all part of our commitment to providing the best care possible, even when time is of the essence. But don’t worry, we won’t use this as a main line of communication, that’s what email is for.
- Slack
Ever wondered how independent contractors, each with their own unique schedules, manage to stay in the loop about all things happening at Beta? That's where Slack comes to the rescue.
Acting as our virtual water cooler, Slack brings all contractors together, making sure everyone's up-to-date with the latest buzz. Whether it's clinic news, or cool updates, Slack keeps us connected and feeling like one big team. So, cheers to staying informed and keeping the Beta team-based spirit alive, no matter when you clock in.
During your onboarding process you will have received an invitation to join our Slack channel. If you have any trouble with getting yourself set up with it, please reach out to the front desk or the communications coordinator to see if they can help you out.Slack Best Practices:
Based on practitioner feedback, we’ve heard that people want to keep the Beta Slack channels focussed on relevant clinic communications.There’s nothing like the overwhelm of opening an app and having to sort through 67 new notifications, many of which are sassy memes or personal interest posts! Love it, but also dread it, right?
We’re all busy professionals, so let’s be most efficient by using Slack as a way to collaborate on patient care, or catch up on clinic announcements & reminders.
Please note that at this point Slack is not capable of keeping an archive of our exchanges and is best used for present-time interactions. Content older that 90 days is archived out of our view. Just a good thing to know!
Quick Reference
Email: scheduling@betahealth.ca
Call/text: (250)-370-5525
Managing patient bookings and practitioner scheduling requests can be a complex and challenging task. But fear not, you have a fantastic front desk team to support your practice.
Our goal is to ensure that patients receive top-notch care and our practitioners have the time and resources they need to deliver it. Let's work together to make the scheduling process a breeze.
Sudden Sickness or Injuries
If you're suddenly unwell or injured and need to cancel your shift, please act promptly.
Morning Shifts (8 am - 2 pm)
- Notify the front desk as early as possible by calling/texting 250-370-5525. They'll handle your patient bookings.
- If it's before the clinic opens, do these three things:
- Post a message on Slack in #pick-up-shifts to check if someone can cover for you.
- Call the patients scheduled between 8:00 am - 9:30 am (contact info in JaneApp).If it's before the clinic opens, do these three things:
- Text/call the clinic to confirm your absence.
Afternoon Shifts (2 pm - 8 pm)
- Call/text the clinic by 9:00 am to report your absence, 250-370-5525.
- Â If no one picks up your shift by 10:00 am, the front desk will reschedule your patients.
Weekend Shifts
- Follow the Morning Shift protocol.
For Better Notice: If you anticipate illness/injury the night before, that's even more helpful. Our front desk staff are available until 8:00 pm. If it's after this time and you need to initiate this process, post a message on Slack in #pick-up-shifts to inquire if someone can cover for you. Most importantly: Get well soon!
Taking Time Off
To request time off for vacation or other personal reasons, please email your requested days off to scheduling@betathealth.ca
- The front desk staff have a system for tracking who is away and when, so please leave it to them to block off your schedule and adjust any pre-existing bookings for your time away.
- Please provide as much notice as possible, *ideally 2 or more weeks*, to allow for ample time for rescheduling existing bookings or reallocating room use for another practitioner who may want to pick up your shifts.
- If you are looking to take more than 4 consecutive weeks off, please review your Professional Services Agreement/Contract to be sure you understand your obligations regarding time away and send an email to start the conversation about how to organize this for you.
- The front desk staff will get back to you to confirm that your schedule has been blocked off, and will also initiate the conversation around pick-up shifts so you have an opportunity to make up for any lost revenue.
Picking Up Shifts
If you want to temporarily or permanently add some shifts to your schedule there’s a good chance that we can accommodate that. Email scheduling@betathealth.ca to see what’s available.
It often works best to give yourself a 1-2 week runway to allow time for those new days on your schedule to be filled with bookings.
The Beta staff team also use the Slack Channel to communicate about last minute schedule openings, so watch for those posts if you’re looking to add to your schedule. Make sure your mobile notifications are turned on so you don’t miss any shifts that are up for grabs.
You may also want to review your Professional Services Agreement/Contract to brush up on how this works.
Adjusting Your Regular Schedule
When you signed your Professional Services Agreement/Contract, it outlined the days and times you were willing to commit to for the duration of your contract. But we understand that sometimes things change.
If you would like to explore what is available for making changes to your shift schedule, please reach out to us via email at scheduling@betathealth.ca to start a conversation about the adjustments you'd like to make.
We kindly request that you provide as much notice as possible to allow for the smooth fulfillment or rescheduling of your existing bookings. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.
Maximizing Team-Based Care with Janeapp
- Reviewing Chart Notes in Jane: A Seamless Continuation
To ensure a smooth handover of care, please prioritize the timely completion and locking of your chart notes. This practice allows fellow practitioners to seamlessly pick up from where you left off.Take a moment to review who the patient has been working with and the context of their recent appointments, especially when relevant. Scrolling down their chart provides insights into the types of appointments or assessments they've undergone, aiding your understanding of their status as primary care membership patients.
Your commitment to thorough chart note management is key to delivering the best care possible.
- Medical Alert Field in Jane
The "Medical Alert" field at the chart's top isn't a permanent fixture; it's editable by any team member. At Beta, we leverage this space for patient information that might not belong in the locked chart or for intra-clinic communication purposes.For instance, consider inputting data such as membership status, care context, or trauma histories. Doing so helps streamline patient care by avoiding repetitive discussions and ensuring essential information is readily available to the team.
- Note Feature in Jane
Adding a new "Note" field to a chart file is a breeze. Just click the three-dot button on the right side. To keep it front and centre for all to quickly see, pin it to the top of the chart using the pin icon.Here's where it gets handy:
Once you've addressed or resolved the note's content, you can "unpin" it. This helps maintain a neat and current chart header.
For instance, if a note relates to a pregnancy that has concluded or an injury that is no longer relevant, unpin it. The note remains part of the locked chart where it originated but no longer takes up the prime position at the top.
Slack and Email
Connecting with a colleague to join forces on patient care can also be done through direct messaging in Slack or by email.
You can find more about this in the Communications chapter of this handbook here.
Join Our Collaborative Sessions
At Beta, we value the strength of teamwork and knowledge sharing. That's why we host regular Collaborative Sessions, providing a platform for us to come together and collaborate in various ways:
- Collaborative: These sessions focus on supporting patients with complex care needs in a multi-disciplinary way, and finding new ways to work together cohesively and creatively. They allows us to brainstorm and innovate.
- Educational: Colleagues share their expertise on various topics. If you’re interested in presenting to the group, please contact Samantha R to arrange this.
- Workshop: In our Workshop sessions, you can seek valuable peer support for challenges you may encounter in your practice—be they administrative, clinical, or personal. We understand that our practices reflect all aspects of ourselves, and sometimes, having a community of like-minded professionals to turn to can make a significant difference.
Our Collaborative Sessions take place in the break room every couple of weeks, and all practitioners are welcome. Feel free to enjoy your lunch during these sessions.
You can find reminders for these sessions on the Jane schedule marked as a grey break with the message "Collaborative session today, 12:10-1:00! Drag this break to 12:10 to attend."
While attendance is encouraged, it's not mandatory. If you'd like to attend but are concerned about potential lost revenue, reach out to the front desk or email scheduling@betahealth.ca to explore options for making up missed time by extending an existing shift. We look forward to your active participation!
Did you miss a session and wish you could have been there? Don’t fret, you can find our growing Collaborative Session Archive here.
This page serves as a bridge to access the Beta Collaborative Session Archive, which contains valuable information and resources that have been created by and for our practitioners.
The content is stored in a Google Sheet, which you can access here.
Feel free to explore and make the most of the collaborative knowledge shared in the archive!
Memberships
Beta Team-Based Healthcare: Core Values for Cohesive Collaboration
At Beta Team-Based Healthcare, we nurture a culture of excellence and teamwork, striving to unite diverse healthcare professionals to offer optimal patient care. Our core values form the bedrock of our unified and patient-centred approach.
Organizational values go beyond words on a wall; they're our cultural compass. They foster teamwork, guide decisions, and define us collectively. Embracing these values creates a motivated and harmonious workplace.
Our values steer our choices, ensuring alignment with our mission and ethics. And our values shape how the public sees us. They reflect our commitment to ethics and quality, building trust and a strong reputation.
- Respect: We value all team members, fostering an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives are valued and voices heard. This mutual respect forms the basis for trust and positivity.
- Communication: Open and transparent communication ensures effective teamwork. We listen actively, encourage feedback, and communicate clearly with both our team and patients for optimal outcomes.
- Consistency: Standardized, evidence-based practices guide our care, ensuring patient safety, continuity, and trust. We uphold these standards collectively.
- Curiosity: Our culture of learning drives innovation and growth. We embrace new ideas, pursue knowledge, and share insights for enhanced patient care.
- Congruency: We align actions with values, establishing trust and credibility. Our integrity shines through in every interaction, fostering ethical behaviour and accountability.
- Integrity: Ethical standards define our practice. Patient advocacy, confidentiality, and responsibility are paramount in our actions.
- Trust: Trust is the bedrock of collaboration. We cultivate it through openness, respect, and consistent actions, enabling effective teamwork and patient care.
By embracing these values, we create an environment for our collaborative healthcare team to thrive, impacting patients positively and providing exceptional care together.
Impact on Healthcare in British Columbia: Shaping a Better World
In British Columbia, transformative changes in healthcare are vital to better patient outcomes and provider well-being. These are some ways that Beta strives to create change in the strained healthcare system.
- Enhanced Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Collaboration across disciplines improves patient care. We break silos, promote teamwork, and offer comprehensive, patient-centred treatments.
- Preventive Care and Health Promotion: Shifting focus to preventive care and health promotion prevents diseases, improves patients' lives and reduces the healthcare burden
- Empowering Patient Engagement: Shared decision-making enhances patient autonomy and outcomes, fostering trust and congruency within the team.
- Strengthening Primary Care: Robust primary care enhances patient access and continuity, reducing unnecessary hospitalizations, and easing the strain on emergency services.
- Leveraging Technology and Innovation: Embracing technology improves communication, access, and care delivery, aligning with curiosity and better outcomes.
- Promoting Ethical and Transparent Practices: Ethical, transparent practices enhance patient-provider trust and safety, aligning with values of integrity and communication.
These changes benefit patients, providers, and the entire healthcare system, as we collectively strive for a healthier, more connected future.
Team-Based Care Collaborations: Transforming Healthcare Together
At Beta, we're pioneering a healthcare model that revolves around the patient and disperses the care of their needs among a group of health care professionals. Our approach is simple yet revolutionary: team-based care collaborations. This means that healthcare professionals from various fields, including physicians, nurse practitioners, and our dedicated allied healthcare team, come together to provide comprehensive, holistic care.
Why? Because we understand that a patient's health is multifaceted, and addressing their unique needs requires a symphony of expertise. By combining our knowledge, skills, and resources, we can create care plans that are not just effective but exceptional.
However, this collaborative approach relies on something crucial: clear communication and seamless teamwork among our staff and practitioners. We hold regular meetings to discuss patient care plans, we use electronic health records to share vital information, and we are continually looking for ways to improve our systems and methods. All this ensures that patient care is coordinated and comprehensive.
Our team-based approach allows the primary care providers more space to focus on their longevity medicine expertise, leaving the annual assessments and some preventive care to us. This provides patients with even more attentive and personalized care. We want to help fill some of the the gaps in patient care in BC’s healthcare system.
While this model might be new to some, it’s the direction that healthcare is heading in this province. We're actively exploring innovative ways for everyone's unique expertise to work in harmony because we believe that this approach has the power to deliver exceptional patient outcomes and support our dedicated physicians and nurse practitioners.
Choosing to be part of Beta means choosing a healthcare model that's evolving, improving, and ultimately putting the patient at the centre of it all.
Thank you for being part of our journey to redefine healthcare. Together, we're making a difference.
Learn about Beta’s Primary Care Model: Understanding Our Clinic's Healthcare Approach
We don't expect you to become a healthcare expert or to grasp all the intricacies of our province's healthcare system. However, gaining a basic understanding of what your patients might experience at our clinic can be quite beneficial.
Here's a simple breakdown of what private pay medicine looks like here at Beta:
- Â Yearly Membership: Our primary care patient panel pays a yearly membership fee to be attached to a Physician or Nurse Practitioner. There are 3 tiers of membership with differing amounts of additional allied care appointments over the year. Current membership rates and packages can be found on our website. Membership fees are strictly for uninsured services and not for publicly insured services.
- Team-Based Approach: We take a distinctive approach to healthcare by integrating the expertise of our allied care providers into the holistic care of our members. Our annual assessments, led by our allied care professionals such as physiotherapists, clinical counsellors, athletic therapists, and more, distribute care and assessments among a diverse group of healthcare experts. This approach leads to improved outcomes as these specialists conduct assessments within their areas of expertise, thus supporting the workload on the primary care provider. It's a collaborative effort that enhances the quality of healthcare our members receive.
In summary, private pay clinics in BC offer healthcare services for a fee, giving patients the option to access important healthcare services. These services are not included in those covered by the publicly funded healthcare system. A patient is still able to access medically necessary care through public health care if they one day need it in conjunction with their private pay care, as in the instance of needing cancer treatment or emergency surgery.
As we work together in this dynamic and collaborative healthcare setting, it's crucial that we prioritize prompt and effective communication.
Clear and timely communication can make all the difference in ensuring that our patients receive the best possible care, our staff are able to complete their duties, and colleagues are able to collaborate.
Let's work together to keep the lines of communication open and make sure we're all on the same page.
As rule of thumb:
- Reply to text & Slack messages ASAP.
- Reply to emails within 3 business days.
- Check in with Slack at least once a week to catch up on things.
Learn about how you and the clinic will maintain excellent communication:
- Emails
At Beta, our team of dedicated practitioners thrives on seamless communication. Whether it's sharing important updates, collaborating on patient cases, or brainstorming new ideas, our emails keep us connected and informed.
Given that these emails often involve action items with specific timelines, we've established an easy protocol to ensure smooth coordination. When you receive an email from the front desk, a quick read and a timely response are highly appreciated. This acknowledgment lets us know that the email has safely landed in your inbox and that you're on the case.
Furthermore, if you can't immediately address the action item, providing a brief timeline for completion can be incredibly helpful. This transparency helps us manage expectations and ensures that tasks are handled efficiently.This collaborative approach keeps us all in sync and helps us maintain a smooth workflow, especially when dealing with time-sensitive matters. Together, let's continue to make our communication effective and our actions impactful.
- Text Messages
At Beta, we understand that urgent matters sometimes require a more immediate touch. That's why, on occasion, we might reach out to you through text messages. Think of it as our way of ensuring swift and personalized communication for matters that need urgent attention or have a personal touch.These text messages serve as a direct line to keep you informed about time-sensitive updates, critical patient needs, or anything that requires your swift response. It's all part of our commitment to providing the best care possible, even when time is of the essence. But don’t worry, we won’t use this as a main line of communication, that’s what email is for.
- Slack
Ever wondered how independent contractors, each with their own unique schedules, manage to stay in the loop about all things happening at Beta? That's where Slack comes to the rescue.
Acting as our virtual water cooler, Slack brings all contractors together, making sure everyone's up-to-date with the latest buzz. Whether it's clinic news, or cool updates, Slack keeps us connected and feeling like one big team. So, cheers to staying informed and keeping the Beta team-based spirit alive, no matter when you clock in.
During your onboarding process you will have received an invitation to join our Slack channel. If you have any trouble with getting yourself set up with it, please reach out to the front desk or the communications coordinator to see if they can help you out.Slack Best Practices:
Based on practitioner feedback, we’ve heard that people want to keep the Beta Slack channels focussed on relevant clinic communications.There’s nothing like the overwhelm of opening an app and having to sort through 67 new notifications, many of which are sassy memes or personal interest posts! Love it, but also dread it, right?
We’re all busy professionals, so let’s be most efficient by using Slack as a way to collaborate on patient care, or catch up on clinic announcements & reminders.
Please note that at this point Slack is not capable of keeping an archive of our exchanges and is best used for present-time interactions. Content older that 90 days is archived out of our view. Just a good thing to know!
Quick Reference
Email: scheduling@betahealth.ca
Call/text: (250)-370-5525
Managing patient bookings and practitioner scheduling requests can be a complex and challenging task. But fear not, you have a fantastic front desk team to support your practice.
Our goal is to ensure that patients receive top-notch care and our practitioners have the time and resources they need to deliver it. Let's work together to make the scheduling process a breeze.
Sudden Sickness or Injuries
If you're suddenly unwell or injured and need to cancel your shift, please act promptly.
Morning Shifts (8 am - 2 pm)
- Notify the front desk as early as possible by calling/texting 250-370-5525. They'll handle your patient bookings.
- If it's before the clinic opens, do these three things:
- Post a message on Slack in #pick-up-shifts to check if someone can cover for you.
- Call the patients scheduled between 8:00 am - 9:30 am (contact info in JaneApp).If it's before the clinic opens, do these three things:
- Text/call the clinic to confirm your absence.
Afternoon Shifts (2 pm - 8 pm)
- Call/text the clinic by 9:00 am to report your absence, 250-370-5525.
- Â If no one picks up your shift by 10:00 am, the front desk will reschedule your patients.
Weekend Shifts
- Follow the Morning Shift protocol.
For Better Notice: If you anticipate illness/injury the night before, that's even more helpful. Our front desk staff are available until 8:00 pm. If it's after this time and you need to initiate this process, post a message on Slack in #pick-up-shifts to inquire if someone can cover for you. Most importantly: Get well soon!
Taking Time Off
To request time off for vacation or other personal reasons, please email your requested days off to scheduling@betathealth.ca
- The front desk staff have a system for tracking who is away and when, so please leave it to them to block off your schedule and adjust any pre-existing bookings for your time away.
- Please provide as much notice as possible, *ideally 2 or more weeks*, to allow for ample time for rescheduling existing bookings or reallocating room use for another practitioner who may want to pick up your shifts.
- If you are looking to take more than 4 consecutive weeks off, please review your Professional Services Agreement/Contract to be sure you understand your obligations regarding time away and send an email to start the conversation about how to organize this for you.
- The front desk staff will get back to you to confirm that your schedule has been blocked off, and will also initiate the conversation around pick-up shifts so you have an opportunity to make up for any lost revenue.
Picking Up Shifts
If you want to temporarily or permanently add some shifts to your schedule there’s a good chance that we can accommodate that. Email scheduling@betathealth.ca to see what’s available.
It often works best to give yourself a 1-2 week runway to allow time for those new days on your schedule to be filled with bookings.
The Beta staff team also use the Slack Channel to communicate about last minute schedule openings, so watch for those posts if you’re looking to add to your schedule. Make sure your mobile notifications are turned on so you don’t miss any shifts that are up for grabs.
You may also want to review your Professional Services Agreement/Contract to brush up on how this works.
Adjusting Your Regular Schedule
When you signed your Professional Services Agreement/Contract, it outlined the days and times you were willing to commit to for the duration of your contract. But we understand that sometimes things change.
If you would like to explore what is available for making changes to your shift schedule, please reach out to us via email at scheduling@betathealth.ca to start a conversation about the adjustments you'd like to make.
We kindly request that you provide as much notice as possible to allow for the smooth fulfillment or rescheduling of your existing bookings. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.
Maximizing Team-Based Care with Janeapp
- Reviewing Chart Notes in Jane: A Seamless Continuation
To ensure a smooth handover of care, please prioritize the timely completion and locking of your chart notes. This practice allows fellow practitioners to seamlessly pick up from where you left off.Take a moment to review who the patient has been working with and the context of their recent appointments, especially when relevant. Scrolling down their chart provides insights into the types of appointments or assessments they've undergone, aiding your understanding of their status as primary care membership patients.
Your commitment to thorough chart note management is key to delivering the best care possible.
- Medical Alert Field in Jane
The "Medical Alert" field at the chart's top isn't a permanent fixture; it's editable by any team member. At Beta, we leverage this space for patient information that might not belong in the locked chart or for intra-clinic communication purposes.For instance, consider inputting data such as membership status, care context, or trauma histories. Doing so helps streamline patient care by avoiding repetitive discussions and ensuring essential information is readily available to the team.
- Note Feature in Jane
Adding a new "Note" field to a chart file is a breeze. Just click the three-dot button on the right side. To keep it front and centre for all to quickly see, pin it to the top of the chart using the pin icon.Here's where it gets handy:
Once you've addressed or resolved the note's content, you can "unpin" it. This helps maintain a neat and current chart header.
For instance, if a note relates to a pregnancy that has concluded or an injury that is no longer relevant, unpin it. The note remains part of the locked chart where it originated but no longer takes up the prime position at the top.
Slack and Email
Connecting with a colleague to join forces on patient care can also be done through direct messaging in Slack or by email.
You can find more about this in the Communications chapter of this handbook here.
Join Our Collaborative Sessions
At Beta, we value the strength of teamwork and knowledge sharing. That's why we host regular Collaborative Sessions, providing a platform for us to come together and collaborate in various ways:
- Collaborative: These sessions focus on supporting patients with complex care needs in a multi-disciplinary way, and finding new ways to work together cohesively and creatively. They allows us to brainstorm and innovate.
- Educational: Colleagues share their expertise on various topics. If you’re interested in presenting to the group, please contact Samantha R to arrange this.
- Workshop: In our Workshop sessions, you can seek valuable peer support for challenges you may encounter in your practice—be they administrative, clinical, or personal. We understand that our practices reflect all aspects of ourselves, and sometimes, having a community of like-minded professionals to turn to can make a significant difference.
Our Collaborative Sessions take place in the break room every couple of weeks, and all practitioners are welcome. Feel free to enjoy your lunch during these sessions.
You can find reminders for these sessions on the Jane schedule marked as a grey break with the message "Collaborative session today, 12:10-1:00! Drag this break to 12:10 to attend."
While attendance is encouraged, it's not mandatory. If you'd like to attend but are concerned about potential lost revenue, reach out to the front desk or email scheduling@betahealth.ca to explore options for making up missed time by extending an existing shift. We look forward to your active participation!
Did you miss a session and wish you could have been there? Don’t fret, you can find our growing Collaborative Session Archive here.
This page serves as a bridge to access the Beta Collaborative Session Archive, which contains valuable information and resources that have been created by and for our practitioners.
The content is stored in a Google Sheet, which you can access here.
Feel free to explore and make the most of the collaborative knowledge shared in the archive!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Your questions, answered.
Ready to decide on the healthcare you want? Let’s talk!
Don’t wait to start your journey towards better health and wellness. Book an information session below, and let’s discuss how we can tailor a health plan specifically for you.
