BC long COVID clinic cuts services after province caps patient fees
The BC Centre for Long COVID, ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia has ended several of its group programs after the Medical Services Commission reduced per-patient fees and capped virtual groups at 30 patients.
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A virtual clinic serving about 8,500 BC patients with Long COVID, ME/CFS and fibromyalgia has cut several of its programs after the Medical Services Commission reduced per-patient fees and capped virtual group sizes.
The BC Centre for Long COVID, ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia (BC-CLMF) ended groups run by physiotherapists, counsellors and other care providers after the Medical Services Commission announced September 24 that virtual groups would be capped at 30 patients as of November 1, 2026, the Nanaimo News Bulletin reported on November 5.
The per-patient reimbursement fee was also cut. Once a group reaches 20 patients, the fee drops from $14.71 per patient to $11.42, the Nanaimo News Bulletin reported.
What changed on November 1
Dr. Jane McKay, one of the clinic's physicians, told the Nanaimo News Bulletin that the clinic had prepared for the patient cap. She said the Ministry of Health never told the clinic about the fee reduction before the announcement was made.
"We are now down to a very barebones model that is a shadow of what it used to be," McKay said, as quoted by the Nanaimo News Bulletin.
The cut ended groups covering topics such as nutrition, occupational therapy, acupuncture and how to live with a chronic disease.
The Ministry of Health's account
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Health told the Nelson Star that the changes had been in development for more than a year, and that the clinic had been consulted. The Ministry said that in May 2026, BC-CLMF confirmed in writing it believed its model could work financially with a cap of 30 patients per group. The Ministry said the clinic did not pursue further discussions about possible supports after that point.
The Ministry did not reply to further questions about the fee reduction, the Nanaimo News Bulletin reported.
Who uses the clinic
BC-CLMF offers virtual group sessions where patients meet with a physician, ask questions about their conditions and receive prescriptions after one-on-one assessments.
Kayli Jamieson, a research fellow at Simon Fraser University and team lead with LifeLineBC, told the Nanaimo News Bulletin there are no in-person Long COVID clinics in BC, and many primary care providers do not understand the illness. The announcement came two days after the provincial election was called, Jamieson said, making it harder to hold anyone accountable.
What comes next
BC-CLMF will keep its core physician services running. Dr. McKay told the Nanaimo News Bulletin she hopes the incoming health minister will reconsider the fee reduction.
Premier-designate Lorne Doerkson's cabinet will be announced November 20, 2026, the same day the new government takes power. The name of the minister responsible for health care will be known on that date.
Residents with Long COVID, ME/CFS or fibromyalgia who want to follow the government's health care decisions can track the incoming government's promises at /bc/provincial-2026/tracker.
Questions this story answers
What changes did the Medical Services Commission make to the BC long COVID clinic?
The Medical Services Commission announced on September 24, 2026, that virtual group sessions at clinics such as BC-CLMF would be capped at 30 patients as of November 1, 2026. At the same time, per-patient fees were reduced: once a group reaches 20 patients, the per-patient reimbursement drops from $14.71 to $11.42, as reported by the Nanaimo News Bulletin.
What services has the clinic cut?
The BC Centre for Long COVID, ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia has ended groups led by physiotherapists, counsellors and other multidisciplinary care providers, as reported by the Nanaimo News Bulletin. The clinic remains open for core physician services, but its physician Dr. Jane McKay said the clinic is now a 'shadow of what it used to be.'
How many people use the BC-CLMF clinic?
The BC Centre for Long COVID, ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia treats about 8,500 patients in virtual group settings across British Columbia, according to the Nanaimo News Bulletin report. It is the only provincial clinic for Long COVID, ME/CFS and fibromyalgia, and patients say there are no in-person alternatives.
What did the Ministry of Health say about the fee cut?
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Health told the Nelson Star that changes to virtual health groups were in development for more than a year before the announcement, and that in May 2026 the clinic confirmed in writing it believed its model could work with a cap of 30 patients per group. The Ministry said the clinic did not pursue further discussions about supports after that confirmation. The Ministry did not reply to additional questions about the fee reduction, the Nanaimo News Bulletin reported.
Who is affected by these changes?
Patients with Long COVID, ME/CFS and fibromyalgia who relied on virtual group sessions for medical support, prescriptions and specialist care. About 3.5 million Canadians live with Long COVID, according to a 2023 federal study cited in the Nanaimo News Bulletin report. Some patients who cannot leave home said the virtual groups were their only way to receive ongoing medical care.
When did these changes take effect?
The patient cap took effect November 1, 2026. The announcement was made September 24, 2026, two days after the provincial election was called. Some clinic programs ended before November 1, including a group for young people living with chronic illness that ended October 29, according to the Nanaimo News Bulletin.
What can BC residents with Long COVID or ME/CFS do now?
The BC Centre for Long COVID, ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia remains open for core physician services. Patients can contact the clinic directly for information. Residents who want the Ministry of Health or the incoming government to review the fee change can contact the Ministry of Health, or raise the issue with their incoming MLA once the new BC Conservative government takes power on November 20, 2026.
Did the BC Conservative platform say anything about health care funding?
The Conservative Party of BC's 2026 platform, page 31, promised to fully fund and protect the province's universal public health care system. Premier-designate Lorne Doerkson's cabinet will be announced November 20, 2026, the same day the new government takes power. The minister responsible for health care will be named on that day, and residents will then know who to contact about the fee change.
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