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Injury Claim Treatment Guidelines

ICBC & WorkSafeBC

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ICBC Car Accident Recovery Care

If you’ve been in a motor vehicle accident, it’s common to feel unsure about what to do next — even if symptoms seem minor at first. Pain, stiffness, headaches, dizziness, fatigue, or emotional stress can appear days or weeks after a collision.

At Coast Therapy, we support ICBC patients across multiple locations with a collaborative, education-first approach to recovery.

Who This Page Is For

This page is for you if:

  • You were recently in a car accident
  • Symptoms appeared later or are changing
  • You’ve been approved by ICBC
  • You’re unsure which service to book
  • You want guidance, not guesswork

Understanding ICBC-Covered Care

ICBC provides pre-approved treatment visits within the first 12 weeks of injury, with no doctor referral required. These visits are designed to allow early assessment, education, and recovery support.

If symptoms continue beyond 12 weeks, extensions may be requested when clinically appropriate.

We accept all Car Accident (MVA) patients for In-person or TeleHealth Visits!

ICBC covers Physiotherapy, Chiropractic, Counseling and Kinesiology (Active Rehab) as described bellow for Virtual (Online) appointments.

Treatment
Number of Pre-approved Visits
Physiotherapy25
Chiropractic25
Massage Therapy12
Acupuncture12
Kinesiology (Gym and/or Pool Therapy Sessions)12
Counselling12

*No referral necessary for any of the above disciplines from your Doctor or other Health Practitioner if within the first 12 weeks from the day of the accident.

**All of the above applies only to Car Accidents with Day of Injury within 12 weeks from the first appointment (assessment)

***All of the above Pre-approved treatments are to be completed within 12 weeks from the Day of Injury. For example, if your car accident happened 6 weeks before your first Physiotherapy appointment, you have another 6 weeks to complete up to 25 Physiotherapy visits. After 12 weeks “cutoff” date, you need ICBC approval for all the treatments.

We serve ICBC covered Car Accidents patients at our Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge and our East Vancouver clinics

ICBC Concussion Programs

Depending on your situation, you may be eligible for:

  • EACR (Enhanced Concussion Recovery)

These structured programs focus on early assessment, education, reassurance, and return to daily life.

Recovery Is Not One-Size-Fits-All

Motor vehicle injuries often affect:

  • The spine and joints
  • Muscles and soft tissue
  • The nervous system
  • Balance, vision, and coordination
  • Emotional well-being and stress tolerance

Recovery after a motor vehicle accident often involves physical, neurological, and emotional factors. Care needs may change over time, and our team is here to help guide you toward appropriate support at each stage.

ICBC Services at Coast Therapy 

Frequently Asked Questions

Physiotherapy, Chiropractic, Kinesiology and Acupuncture treatments are at no charge as long as they follow ICBC approval guidelines.

Registered Massage Therapy appointments that are ICBC do have an User fee applied to them due to the ICBC guidelines that have been provided and the restructuring of appointment lengths that we done by ICBC in February of 2023.

As soon as possible. There is no such thing as “too early”.

It is up to you. All of our Registered clinicians are trained and experienced in assessment of Car Accident patients.

  1. Whatever you can get in the quickest – we are always busy so time is of an essence
  2. Book an assessment with at least 2 different disciplines
  3. Make sure to do Kinesiology(Active Rehab) as early as possible

Yes. In fact, we recommend to combine several approaches. While it may not be practical to do all disciplines at the same time, we do encourage to have at least an assessment completed by each discipline. Results of assessments would guide the best approach to take for you and your therapists. There is no one size fits all approach.

As long as you are receiving ongoing treatment, any of the treatment providers can request an extension to treatment. For example, your Kenisiologist can request additional 10 visits if you had not reached your desired outcome yet. Keep in mind that it is best to ask for extensions at least 1-2 weeks prior to an end of 12 week cutoff period.

It is a complicated question to answer. It depends. In our experience , 99% of cases get all the care they need.

No. Not if you are within the first 12 weeks.

Yes, but we would need an approval for assessment from ICBC. Let us know of your claim # and we will facilitate this for you. Referral from your Medical Doctor may be needed depending on the ICBC requirements.

Tap or click tabs above to see each section.

WorkSafeBC Covered Allied Health Care

Get the treatment you need. Focus on recovery — not paperwork.

If you’ve been injured at work, WorkSafeBC may cover your allied health care — helping you recover safely and return to work with confidence.

At Coast Therapy, we provide WorkSafeBC-approved, evidence-based care with a collaborative team approach so you’re supported every step of the way.

What Is Allied Health Care?

Allied health professionals support your recovery through hands-on treatment, movement-based rehabilitation, and education. Care focuses on restoring function, reducing pain, and helping you return to work safely and sustainably.

WorkSafeBC-approved services may include:

  • Physiotherapy
  • Registered Massage Therapy (RMT)
  • Kinesiology
  • Chiropractic Care
  • Acupuncture
  • Active Rehabilitation & Exercise Therapy

Your treatment plan is individualized based on your injury, job demands, recovery stage, and WorkSafeBC guidelines.

What Does WorkSafeBC Cover?

WorkSafeBC coverage is designed to remove barriers to care so you can focus on healing.

Typically covered (when approved):
✔ Initial and follow-up treatment visits
✔ Active rehab and exercise-based therapy
✔ Manual and hands-on treatment
✔ Education, pacing strategies, and self-management tools
✔ Functional goal setting and return-to-work planning
✔ Required communication and reporting with WorkSafeBC

Coverage type, visit frequency, and duration depend on your claim status and recovery progress and are reviewed regularly by WorkSafeBC.

Do I Need a Doctor’s Referral?

A doctor’s referral is not required to open a WorkSafeBC claim or to begin allied health treatment.

However:

  • You must have an approved WorkSafeBC claim number for treatment to be covered
  • Some services (such as Registered Massage Therapy) may require medical authorization as part of WorkSafeBC approval, depending on your claim and stage of care

If you’re unsure what applies to your situation, our admin team can help clarify next steps and communicate with WorkSafeBC when needed.

How to Start WorkSafeBC Treatment

Step-by-step:

  1. Report your injury to your employer and WorkSafeBC
  2. Receive your WorkSafeBC claim number
  3. Book your appointment online or by phone
  4. We manage direct billing and required WorkSafeBC communication

For approved services, there is no out-of-pocket cost to you.

Can I See More Than One Practitioner?

Yes — when clinically appropriate and approved by WorkSafeBC.

Important to know:

  • WorkSafeBC does not automatically approve multiple disciplines the way ICBC does
  • Approval is determined by your WorkSafeBC case manager, based on clinical need
  • Multiple services are not typically provided on the same day unless specifically authorized

If multi-disciplinary care may benefit your recovery, our team can communicate with WorkSafeBC on your behalf to inquire about approval.

Helpful Resource

For more information on reporting a work injury and what to expect, WorkSafeBC provides a clear overview for workers. We’re also happy to walk you through the process if you have questions. Workers: How to report an injury and what to expect – WorkSafeBC

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Approved WorkSafeBC services are direct billed — no payment is required from you.

Treatment coverage usually begins once your claim is approved. We can help guide you while you’re waiting.

This depends on your injury, progress, and WorkSafeBC guidelines. Treatment plans are reviewed regularly.