To align with other provinces and focus our resources on where they’re needed most, we are restoring physician compensation to the MSI fee schedule following months of discussion with Doctors Nova Scotia.
Physicians will always be compensated by WCB for their expertise and service.
We are continuing to pay physicians for services and administrative duties related to workplace injuries based on the MSI fee schedule and billing codes set by the Government of Nova Scotia and Doctors Nova Scotia. This has not changed.
Physicians will continue to be compensated for:
- Treating injured workers
- Completing all required forms and documentation
- Other duties associated with supporting recovery, such as chart notes, case conferencing, communications, etc.
Physicians will also continue to receive current compensation for:
To align with most other jurisdictions in Canada and to put our resources in the hands of workers and employers, effective August 26, 2025, we will:
- Pay only the standard MSI fee to complete the Primary and Emergency Care Report, in line with other forms and duties, and not an extra fee for this administrative task.
- No longer provide an annual fee increase set to Canada’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) of 100% + 0.5%.
Facts at a glance
- Nova Scotia has the highest employer rates and lowest worker benefits in Canada.
- The current system limits worker benefits to 50% of Canada’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) – a key area for future system improvement.
- This compensation approach is consistent with most provinces across Canada – ensuring alignment across the country.
- WCB and Doctors Nova Scotia have been in discussions since March 2025.
- MSI is releasing a physician bulletin with this information on July 18, 2025.
For questions, please contact Physicians@wcb.ns.ca.