The Rural Continuing Medical Education (RCME) program provides eligible physicians with funding opportunities for medical education to update and enhance medical skills and credentials required for rural practice.
These benefits are in addition to the CME entitlement provided for in the Working Agreement between the Government and the BCMA.
The Program
The RCME program is administered and managed by the Health Authority.
Physicians may use funds for individual or group education purposes. Continuing Medical Education funds can be used for approved medical courses as well as:
- Covering overhead expenses while attending medical training,
- Purchasing new technology or upgrades necessary for participation in CME.
Physicians can transfer unspent / banked funds to another health authority when relocating to another community eligible under the RSA.
A physician can bank RCME funds for up to three years.
Eligibility
- Physicians living and working in one of the eligible RSA communities for a minimum of nine months.
- A physician who qualifies for RCME, who does not stay in a community covered by this agreement for a minimum of 12 months, is eligible for a proportionate amount of the sum.
- Eligibility for RCME for any year expires at the end of two subsequent years.
A physician’s annual RCME allowance is dependent on the category of his or her community and the length of time he or she has practiced in that community.
Each year, the Physician Compensation Department sends letters advising physicians of their Continuing Medical Education fund balance available and notification of balances at risk of expiring.
Please note: Effective April 2004, claims requiring special consideration (including out of country courses) require prior written approval by the Medical Director, Continuing Professional Development for Physicians. See attached form: CME Application for Special Consideration (PDF) .
For the RCME Claim Form and Guidelines, contact Christine Jeffrey.