WorkSafe BC Claims
The Vital Life Physiotherapy Clinic is a contracted provider under Worksafe BC and is authorized to handle WSBC claims and bill directly. Due to workplace injuries being very common we have the experience and tools needed to help you recover quickly and get back to work in a safe and timely manner.
What Treatments Does WBC Cover?
WorkSafe BC will cover 15 physiotherapy treatment visits over a period of 6 weeks following the completion of the initial assessment.
Please Note: WSBC will not normally cover multiple treatments at the same time. For example if you are attending physiotherapy treatment you cannot also attend massage therapy or see a chiropractor at the same time. Most people with an acute work-related injury will seek out a physiotherapist first to initially help with their pain management.
How physiotherapy can help you recover after an injury at work:
It can help you safely recover in a number of supportive ways, including:
- Helping with pain management
- Improving your functional abilities (ex: shopping, housework, dressing etc.)
- Providing you with preventative information to avoid reoccurrence
- Providing you with exercises to strengthen your injury
- Ensuring that you are safely able to return to work
Treatment options can include:
- Pain management
- Muscle retraining
- Manual therapy
- Therapeutic exercises
- Strength and endurance training for Return to Work (RTW)
WSBC CLAIM FAQ
Do I need to be referred by a doctor to have my claim covered?
You do not need a doctor’s referral to commence physiotherapy under ICBC, but we do recommend you see your regular family physician to review your injury and to determine if further medical testing is required.
Can the number of treatments be extended?
Once you have finished all 15 sessions or reached your 6-week end date if further treatment is indicated your therapist will complete a WSBC extension request report. They will provide their rationale for the requested extension, including the outcome with further treatment, details regarding the number of visits and number of weeks of treatment being requested as well as the expected discharge date. WSBC may choose to approve or disapprove at any time.
Does treatment need to be pre-approved by Worksafe BC?
As long as you are coming in for treatment anytime within 8 weeks from the date of your work injury you are automatically approved for the initial assessment.
Should your date of injury be more than 8 weeks ago, pre-approval from WSBC will needed to be received before starting the initial assessment. Our clinic can do this by contacting your WSBC claim owner for approval with the claim number you provide.
Are there any user fees, or does WSBC cover 100% of the cost?
WSBC covers 100% of the cost. Under the WSBC physiotherapy provider contract we are legally not allowed to charge our patients any user fee so you will never have to worry about paying out of pocket.
What is the Process for Treatment with a WorkSafe BC Claim?
Report your injury immediately to your employer
Keep in mind that this is the initial start of the claiming process and that it is against the law for your employer to discourage you from reporting a work-related injury or disease. They are responsible for filing the necessary paperwork over to WSBC.
Report your injury to Worksafe BC
Report your injury yourself by calling the WSBC call center at 1-888-967-5377 or, you can visit their official website www.worksafebc.com to create an account online and report your injury there. Once WSBC recognizes your claim, they will provide you with a claim number – this number is essential to start receiving your physiotherapy treatment.
Complete WSBC initial assessment with a registered physiotherapist
The next step is to make an appointment with a physiotherapist for the WSBC initial assessment. Whether your claim is pending or approved, you are entitled to one initial assessment session with a WSBC-contracted physiotherapist of your choosing. If your claim is pending you cannot move past the initial assessment until you have switched to approved. Your therapist will submit an initial assessment report to Worksafe outlining their findings, and what treatment is expected for you.
We are open from Monday to Saturday for your convenience, and the appointment can be booked by calling 604-474-1276 or emailing our office at reception@vitallifephysio.ca (please note, you cannot book a WSBC initial assessment through our online booking page – only subsequent appointments)
Become approved and start receiving treatment
Once your claim has switched to approved, you can start receiving treatment right away. WSBC automatically provides you with a certain amount of sessions to begin the treatment process within 6 weeks from your date of initial assessment. If your condition requires additional treatment sessions past your end date or number of sessions used, your therapist will submit an extension request report to WSBC indicating that treatment needs to be extended. They will outline the further treatment planned as well as the duration and frequency of treatment going forward. This process of extending can happen multiple times before your final discharge date.
Take the next steps to feeling better…
If you have questions about whether this treatment is right for you please give us a call (604) 474-1276
