ICBC Claims

ICBC’s Enhanced Accident Benefits covers everyone for the first 12 weeks after their crash no matter who was deemed responsible. With regards to physiotherapy, this means you are automatically approved for 25 visits to see one of our registered physiotherapists. We know car accidents are stressful, frustrating, and hectic, and that there are a lot of things that need to be taken care of, but it’s important to book your healthcare appointments immediately to get the most out of these benefits.

You don’t need a referral from a family physician or nurse practitioner, or approval from ICBC, but you will need your Personal Health Number (PHN) and your ICBC claim number which will be created when you submit your claim.

Enhanced Accident Benefits also automatically approves coverage for various other treatment types, such as Massage Therapy, Kinesiology, and Psychology (12 sessions of each), as well as Occupational Therapy upon request by your health care provider.

It’s worth mentioning that, at this time, we are NOT part of the ICBC Recovery Network for various reasons (see here) so we are unable to bill ICBC directly for your appointments. As such, you will need to pay for treatments upfront, and then let ICBC know so they can reimburse you. Make sure to save all your receipts/invoices, and be sure to submit a claim for medical expenses within 180 days (6 months) of the appointment so ICBC can reimburse you to the level of their approved rates. We understand this is additional work on your end so we DO NOT charge a user fee.

The easiest way to be reimbursed by ICBC is via direct deposit. Click here to learn how to set this up so payments go directly into your bank account.

It’s important to keep your Recovery Specialist updated about your injury. Staying in touch helps them manage your claim more smoothly. ICBC recommends reaching out by phone or email every 2 to 3 weeks, even if it’s just to say your recovery is progressing smoothly.

There may come a point where we’ll need to communicate with your ICBC Recovery Specialist about your recovery progress or if you require treatment beyond the pre-approved 12 weeks. Typically, this involves us submitting a report that can include the following information with your consent:

• the nature and extent of your injuries, as well as your diagnosis
• work/school status
• functional abilities and goals
• your condition at the time we started seeing you
• the treatment provided or recommended by your physiotherapist
• your prognosis and potential barriers for recovery

Communication may also occur via phone or email.

If you do not wish to provide your consent for us to communicate with ICBC, then we will not do so until either…

• You decide to provide us with consent; or
• ICBC sends a letter to us requesting the required information in which we are obligated under provincial law to provide

If you are unhappy with the services you’ve received from ICBC or you want to dispute a decision to your claim, click here for more information regarding the steps you can take to file a complaint or dispute.

If after trying to resolve the issue through contacting ICBC directly, then you can also contact the BC Civil Resolution Tribunal. The CRT has jurisdiction over most motor vehicle accident claims, including:

• Entitlement to accident benefits
• ICBC’s assessment of responsibility for an accident
• Monetary damages if you’re injured in an accident, including determination of whether an injury is a “minor injury”
• Other types of monetary damages including property damage, vehicle damage, and lost business income

Click here for more information about what claims you can make to the CRT.

• ICBC: When you’ve been injured in a crash
• ICBC: If you were in a crash as a cyclist or pedestrian
• CRT: What motor vehicle accident claims can you make at the CRT? [Infographic]