Effective August 26, we are restoring physician compensation to the MSI fee schedule.

This means physicians will continue to be paid for all the care, forms, and services they provide to injured workers based on the MSI fee schedule set by the Province and Doctors Nova Scotia. This has not changed.

Physicians will be paid, at 100% the MSI fee, for their time to: 

• treat injured workers
• complete all forms and documents
• Perform all other duties that supports recovery, such as chart notes, case conferencing, communications, etc. 

Physicians will also continue to receive their current compensation for: 

• Enhanced Physician Services (EPS) which connect physicians to injured workers without a primary care provider, helping them access timely care.
• Centralized Surgical Services Program (CSSP) which uses available capacity in the health system to provide quicker surgeries for injured workers.  

So, what is changing? Physicians will be paid at 100% the MSI fee instead of 110% to complete the Primary and Emergency Care Report, and the annual fee escalator has been removed. These are the only changes – they align us with other provinces and focus our resources on improving worker benefits and lowering employer rates over time. 

We are also working to reduce the administrative demands on physicians so they can focus on what matters most – helping Nova Scotians recover and return to work.

Facts at a glance

• Nova Scotia has the highest employer rates and among the lowest worker benefits in Canada. 
• This compensation approach is consistent with most provinces across Canada. 
• WCB and Doctors Nova Scotia have been in contact about physician compensation since March 2025. 
• MSI is releasing a physician bulletin with this information on July 18, 2025. 

For questions, please contact Physicians@wcb.ns.ca.