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This week’s Vitals is 1,133 words or a 4 minute read. If you only have 1 minute, here are the highlights:
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Doctors Manitoba 2027 Award Nominations are Open! This year we are highlighting achievements of physicians making meaningful, lasting improvements to how Manitobans access quality care. Learn how to nominate an outstanding colleague.
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eConsult Update Reminder: On October 22, Manitoba will move to a single platform called eConsultCX, replacing Store & Forward and BASE eConsult. We have a reminder about upcoming deadlines in the transition process.
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CMPA Changes Coming: As a result of a new increase to CMPA fees for 2027, more physicians will be eligible next year for the CMPA rebate program offered by Doctors Manitoba.
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Billing Refresher on Virtual Care: As Manitoba Health increases its scrutiny on claims in several areas, our Back-to-School Refresher series each week highlights best practices in various areas. This week’s focus is on virtual care.
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See Jordan at MTYP Through October 11: Doctors Manitoba is proud to be a sponsor of Jordan, a Manitoba Theatre for Young People production about Jordan River Anderson. His experience inspired Jordan’s Principle that helps ensure First Nations children can access health, social and educational services without delay or jurisdictional disputes.
🍂 Doctors Manitoba wishes you a very happy Thanksgiving! We join all Manitobans in thanking physicians for your expertise and for your dedication to patients across the province.
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Award Nominations Open
Nominations are now open for our 2027 Doctors Manitoba Annual Awards!
Great work deserves to be recognized. Across Manitoba, physicians are finding new ways to care for patients, strengthen their communities and improve our health care system. Help us celebrate them.
🎖️ Spotlight on access to care: Achievements in all areas of medicine are welcome, with a special spotlight this year on physicians making meaningful, lasting improvements to how Manitobans access care.
📆 Deadline: Nominations are open until Dec 13, 2026.
🎉 Save the date: Our Annual Awards Gala is set for Saturday, May 8, 2027.
The five award categories include Physician of the Year, Distinguished Service, Resident of the Year, the Dr. Jack Armstrong Humanitarian Award, and the Doctors Manitoba Medal of Excellence.
Learn more about how to nominate a special colleague!
| The Doctors Manitoba Awards are the highest medical honours in the province. Last year, Dr. Holly Hamilton, a rural family physician from Notre Dame de Lourdes, received the Humanitarian Award for her work with Aspen Winds/Vents de Tremble. Dr. Hamilton accepted her award alongside her friend, Jay, an Aspen Winds client. | | | | |
eConsult Reminder
On October 22, Manitoba will move to a single platform called eConsultCX, replacing Store & Forward and BASE eConsult platforms.
No new submissions are currently being accepted. Please be reminded of upcoming deadlines:
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Oct. 13: Final day to submit outstanding responses
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Oct. 18: Have any records you want to keep downloaded
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Oct. 19: Current platforms go offline
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Oct. 22: eConsultCX launches
Bottom line: We recognize these changes from Shared Health may be challenging to adjust to in your practice. We will be gathering feedback. Please email us at practiceadvice@doctorsmanitoba.ca.
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CMPA Changes
As a result of a new increase to CMPA fees for 2027, more physicians will be eligible next year for the CMPA rebate program offered by Doctors Manitoba.
What it means for you: Doctors Manitoba provides a rebate for 100% of the remaining amount after physicians pay the first $1,000 of their CMPA dues/liability coverage.
- With this new increase, the majority of specialties will have a rate that sits above the $1,000 fee threshold and will thus qualify for the rebate.
Of note: Those who are eligible due to the 2027 increase will be able to claim their rebate the following year.
Questions? If you have any questions about your eligibility, please contact our office at Benefits@DoctorsManitoba.ca.
Read our full coverage.
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Billing Corner: Virtual Care
When offering virtual visits in practice, physicians must ensure they meet regulatory standards from CPSM and tariff requirements outlined in Manitoba Health’s Physician’s Manual.
Carefully consider how standards and billing requirements apply to your practice:
- Both CPSM and Manitoba Health require the physician and patient to be located in Manitoba for virtual visits, with very few exceptions.
- Depending on the episodic or continuing nature of the patient-physician relationship, different tariffs are available.
- As virtual care continues to evolve, it remains important for physicians to stay familiar with the billing rules, eligibility requirements, and appropriate use of each tariff to ensure claims are submitted accurately and efficiently.
Review our updated billing advice on virtual care.
This is part of our Back-to-School Billing Refresher. Manitoba Health is increasing its scrutiny on claims in several areas. We’ve been monitoring the trends and have updated resources to ensure your claims align with billing requirements.
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Pneu-C-20 Eligibility Expanded for Manitoba Seniors
Patients 65+ who previously received Pneu-P-23 can now get 1 dose of Pneu-C-20, as long as it’s been at least 5 years since that dose. Patients who already received Pneu-C-20 aren’t eligible for another.
📬 Heads up: The province is mailing reminder letters this month to patients who recently turned 65.
Read the October 5 letter to health care providers
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Manitoba Adds Community Beds
The Manitoba government is adding 103 community spaces to help patients who no longer need acute care. This is a step forward that aligns with recommendations from physicians shared by Doctors Manitoba to support patient flow and reduce access-block in ERs.
Read the announcement.
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World Mental Health Day: Caring for Those Who Care
Saturday, October 10 is World Mental Health Day, a reminder that caring for mental health, both your patients’ and your own, is essential.
Why it matters: Physicians carry the weight of their patients’ struggles alongside their own. Distressing events and daily pressures don’t stay at the office door.
- They follow you into clinics, homes, and workplaces, affecting colleagues and patients both directly and indirectly.
- Physicians, medical learners, and their families are not immune to stress, burnout, anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges.
Read more about how Doctors Manitoba is here to support you.
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Mentors and Mentees, Join Us for a Night at the Museum!
Doctors Manitoba Mentorship Program members are invited to join us next week for an evening of networking and teamwork and take part in a museum-wide scavenger hunt at Manitoba Museum!
đź•• Thursday, October 15, from 6:00 to 8:30 pm
đź“Ť Manitoba Museum
➡️ Register here.
Learn more about mentorship! If you are not currently a mentorship program member but would like to take part in the event, please email Cynthia Okojie.
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Tonight, the Manitoba College of Family Physicians is honouring doctors who have made outstanding contributions in Manitoba.
Doctors Manitoba sends our congratulations to Dr. Fourie Smith and Dr. Phoebe Thiessen who will each receive an Award of Excellence.
Dr. Barry Lavallee will be honoured posthumously as Family Physician of the Year.
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Doctors Manitoba is proud to be the presenting sponsor of Jordan, a Manitoba Theatre for Young People production running Oct. 2–11.
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The play tells the poignant story of Jordan River Anderson, whose experience inspired Jordan’s Principle — a child-first human rights milestone that helps ensure First Nations children can access health, social and educational services without delay or jurisdictional disputes.
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For members: Doctors Manitoba members can save 15% on tickets to this show with promo code DOCMB.
Learn more and purchase tickets.
Thank you to everyone who entered our draw last week for tickets to the show. The ticket recipients are: Dr. Jan Andre Grauman Neander, Dr. Janet Roberts, Dr. Hanan Almanama, Dr. Ming-Ka Chan, Dr. Sonny Dhalla.
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Doctors Manitoba’s job board has 2 new practice opportunities for physicians at Urbanpulse Medical Clinic and Health Hub Medical, along with dozens more opportunities previously listed. Check it out!
Placing a job ad on our site is free – add one here.
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Here are the most-read and important recent stories, in case you missed them:
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SR&ED Tax Credit Webinar: Bond Consulting Group is hosting a webinar for members tonight, October 8 at 7 p.m., to explain how eligible medical work could generate $25,000 to $200,000 in annual tax refunds. You’ll learn who qualifies, which activities count, and how to get started. Reserve your spot.
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Sick Notes Prohibited; Need Your Help: New legislation is now in effect that eliminates most sick notes in Manitoba. Now, we need your help to reinforce the rules and make them stick! Our new Physician Sick Note resource page has all the details you’ll need, including posters for your clinic.
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Dynacare Disruptions: While the Dynacare strike only lasted a day, we continue to see reports in the media that locations are experiencing long waits, limited hours or sudden closures. We are keeping an eye on the Manitoba Labour Board decision and ask you to remind patients to call ahead to their testing locations to confirm hours. Please monitor our Dynacare Strike Watch page.
| | We feature events planned by Doctors Manitoba, as well as other events submitted by the medical community to share and connect with their peers. | | CancerCare Manitoba’s 5th Annual Patient and Family Conference, October 20-22. Virtual. Patients and families facing cancer often have many important decisions to make and may find it challenging to navigate the healthcare system. Having reliable, up-to-date information can make a big difference in understanding cancer, exploring treatment options, and making informed choices. Learn more and register today! | | |
Beyond the Waiting Room: The Future of Unscheduled Healthcare, October 21. Winnipeg. The Faculty of Business and Economics at the University of Winnipeg invites you to attend the 2026 Laird Lecture Series, followed by a lunch and networking opportunity. This 2026 Laird Lecture will explore what the future of unscheduled healthcare could look like — and why it may be dramatically different from the system we know today. Learn more and register.

30th Annual Bug Day 2026, October 22, 7:55 a.m. - 4 p.m. Virtual. Join the 30th Annual Bug Day, a free, virtual, fully accredited continuing professional development event hosted by Health Sciences Centre Winnipeg in collaboration with the University of Manitoba CPD Medicine Program. Hear from leading experts on infectious diseases, public health, and communicable disease prevention. Important: To receive continuing professional credits for attending the daylong program. Learn more and view the agenda.
Crucial Conversations for Accountability, October 23, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Virtual. The Crucial Conversations for Accountability course is designed to empower participants with the tools and techniques necessary to handle challenging conversations that require clear accountability, mutual respect, and effective outcomes. Learn more and register.
Cardiology Day 2026, October 30, 2026, 7:30 – 3:30 p.m. UM Bannatyne Campus Basic Medical Sciences Building. Cardiology Day 2026 is a comprehensive one-day educational program designed for family physicians, specialists, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, residents, and other healthcare professionals involved in cardiovascular care. Learn more and register.
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We are here to support the whole physician.
Every step of the way.
Your health & well-being are important to us.
Visit DRMB.ca/HELP to connect to support services or call 1.844.433.3762
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For all other support, including benefits and insurance support,
career resources or practice advice please
email general@doctorsmanitoba.ca or call 204.985.5888
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