By: Mandeep Hayer, Physiotherapist, MPT, B.Kin.
Recovering from a motor vehicle accident can be overwhelming, but you’re not alone. At Hayer Health, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Our team of experienced healthcare professionals is dedicated to helping you recover with personalized treatment plans tailored to your specific needs.
We offer physiotherapy, massage therapy, and kinesiology services to those who have been injured in car accidents.
Whether you’re dealing with pain, stiffness, or other post-accident symptoms, we’re committed to guiding you on your path to full recovery.
ICBC Treatment Process
Reporting Your Injury to ICBC
The first step after an accident is to report your injury to ICBC.
Once you’ve done this, ICBC will provide you with an injury claim number, which is essential for accessing the enhanced medical services under your claim.
ICBC’s Enhanced Care, introduced on May 1, 2021, ensures that all British Columbians injured in a crash can receive necessary medical care, regardless of fault.
This includes automatic pre-approval for many initial treatments, such as physiotherapy, massage therapy and kinesiology, helping you start your recovery quickly and effectively.
Booking Your ICBC Treatment Appointment
When you’re ready to begin treatment, contact our Client Care Team at 604-558-0340 to schedule your first appointment.
Please have your injury claim number and date of injury ready.
This information helps us streamline the booking process and ensures that you receive the care you need promptly.
Before your first physiotherapy appointment, we ask that you complete our intake form that’s emailed to you upon booking.
This form provides us with essential information about your injury, medical history, and treatment goals. By understanding your unique situation, we can develop a personalized treatment plan that best supports your recovery.
Understanding Your ICBC Coverage
ICBC User Fees for Physiotherapy and Massage Therapy
While ICBC covers a significant portion of your treatment costs, there are small user fees for some services:
- Physiotherapy Initial Assessment (60 minutes): $5
- Physiotherapy Subsequent Session (30 minutes): $5
- Registered Massage Therapy Assessment (60 minutes): $6
- Registered Massage Therapy Subsequent Session (45 minutes): $6
These fees are designed to keep treatment affordable while ensuring you receive the highest quality care.
The user fees apply only to the services mentioned, Kinesiology (Active Rehab) is fully covered by ICBC under the Enhanced Care model.
This approach allows you to focus on your recovery without worrying about excessive out-of-pocket expenses.
If you have any questions about your coverage or fees, our Client Care Team is here to assist you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are my next steps after a motor vehicle accident?
After reporting your injury to ICBC, you can immediately begin treatment under Enhanced Care coverage.
This coverage allows you to access necessary treatments without needing a referral from a doctor, which means you can start your recovery process as soon as possible.
However, you may still choose to visit your GP for a comprehensive injury assessment, especially if you have concerns about your condition.
This step can provide you with a clearer understanding of your injuries and help guide your treatment plan.
Enhanced Care covers a wide range of treatments, including physiotherapy, massage therapy, and active rehabilitation.
Your initial sessions are pre-approved, so you don’t have to worry about delays in receiving care.
It’s important to keep track of your symptoms and progress, and communicate any changes to your healthcare provider to ensure you receive the appropriate care throughout your recovery journey.
How many treatment sessions am I approved for?
ICBC pre-approves the following sessions for a period of 12 weeks from your accident date:
- 25 physiotherapy sessions
- 12 massage therapy sessions
- 12 kinesiology sessions
These pre-approved sessions are designed to ensure you receive prompt care during the critical early stages of your recovery.
The pre-approval means you can start treatment right away without needing additional authorization from ICBC, allowing for a smooth and uninterrupted recovery process.
What happens after 12 weeks of treatment? Will ICBC fund more treatment?
If it has been more than 12 weeks since your accident, don’t worry. We recommend contacting your ICBC adjuster to request approval for continued treatment.
If your injuries require additional treatment beyond the pre-approved sessions, our team will assist you in submitting a treatment plan to ICBC for extended coverage.
We will work closely with your healthcare providers to create a comprehensive treatment plan that justifies the need for further care.
This may include providing detailed progress reports that highlight the necessity of continued treatment to achieve your recovery goals.
It’s essential to monitor your progress and communicate regularly with your healthcare team.
Our goal is to ensure you receive all the necessary care for a full recovery, without any interruptions due to coverage limitations.
Can I switch clinics during my treatment?
Yes, you can switch clinics during your treatment, provided you receive approval from your ICBC adjuster.
Changing clinics can be beneficial if you feel that a different provider may better suit your recovery needs or if you relocate and need a more conveniently located clinic.
If you choose to transfer to Hayer Health, please inform your adjuster of your decision as early as possible.
It’s important to note that ICBC does not fund the same treatment type at two different clinics simultaneously. This means that before attending your first treatment at our clinic, you will need adjustor approval to avoid disruptions in your care.
Additionally, when switching clinics, make sure to communicate any specific treatment preferences with our client care team.
This helps maintain continuity in your care, ensuring that your new treatment team is fully informed about your injury and any previous therapies.
Our goal at Hayer Health is to make this transition as seamless as possible, so you can focus on your recovery with minimal stress.
What if I don’t have my adjuster’s information?
If you don’t have your adjuster’s information, simply provide us with your claim number. Our team will contact ICBC on your behalf to obtain the necessary details so that we can ensure your treatment proceeds without delay.
The accident was my fault, am I still entitled to treatment?
The ICBC Enhanced Care model introduced significant changes to insurance coverage for individuals injured in motor vehicle accidents.
Under this model, all British Columbians have access to comprehensive medical and rehabilitation benefits, regardless of who is at fault.
If I was involved in a car accident while working, am I still covered for treatment?
If a client was injured in a motor vehicle crash while they were working, this is considered a WorkSafeBC claim and their injury claim should be reported to WorkSafeBC as soon as possible.
However, we recommend speaking to both ICBC and Worksafe to ensure there is a clear understanding of who is responsible for funding treatment. This ensures that there is no gap in treatment after the accident.
What if I’ve been involved in multiple car accidents and have more than one active injury claim?
If you have been involved in more than one motor vehicle crash, it’s important to understand that each incident will be assigned a unique claim number and possibly a different claim representative.
The claim representative will collaborate with our healthcare team to assess whether the most recent crash has caused new injuries or exacerbated existing injuries from previous crashes.
If new injuries are identified, it’s crucial to ask your claim representative which claim number should be used for invoicing and reporting.
This is because different benefits may apply depending on the date of the original crash, and proper billing ensures that your treatment is accurately covered under the appropriate claim.
Managing multiple claims can be complex, but our team at Hayer Health is here to help you navigate the process and ensure that you receive the necessary care without any complications.
I suffered a concussion during my accident, will I be able to receive treatment for this at Hayer Health?
Hayer Health is proud to be one of the few providers in Vancouver to be approved for a specialized concussion program.
The ICBC Early Access Concussion Recovery (EACR) Pilot Program is designed to support individuals who have sustained a concussion due to a motor vehicle accident, utilizing the latest evidence-based practices to help you recover from concussion symptoms effectively.
Before conducting an Intake Assessment, our clinic must confirm funding approval from your ICBC Recovery Specialist.
To qualify for funding under the Early Access Concussion Recovery (EACR) Pilot Program, you must meet the following criteria:
- You must have an active, accepted Enhanced Care ICBC claim with an accident date of May 1, 2021, or later.
- At the time of the Intake Assessment, your claim must be within the Early Access Period, meaning the accident occurred less than 12 weeks ago.
- You must have sustained a concussion from the motor vehicle accident, and due to the functional impairments caused by your concussion, you must be experiencing one or more of the following:
- You are off work with no expected return-to-work date.
- You are off school with no expected return-to-school date.
- You are off caregiving duty with no expected date to resume this responsibility.
- You are not independent in performing essential activities of daily living.
Our team at Hayer Health is equipped to guide you through this process, ensuring that all necessary approvals are in place so you can focus on your recovery.
If you’ve been diagnosed with a concussion following a motor vehicle accident, be sure to discuss your eligibility with your ICBC Recovery Specialist.
This will help determine the appropriate coverage and ensure you receive the specialized care you need at Hayer Health.
Your recovery is our top priority. At Hayer Health, we are dedicated to providing you with the best care possible, ensuring that your healing process is smooth and effective.
Whether you need physiotherapy, massage therapy, or other forms of treatment, our team is here to support you. If you have any questions or need assistance at any point in your recovery journey, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
