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Getting Your Appointments Covered: All About Benefits, WCB, and MVAs



We help make the booking process simple, whether you are using your benefits, coming in for a WCB claim, or an injury related to an accident.


Walkthrough

Whether this is your first time coming for physiotherapy, or you have been many times before, the process of getting your appointments covered can be confusing. But do not fret, we are here to help make the process simple! Let us walk you through how to use your extended health care benefits for treatment, and how to book appointments under Worker’s Compensation Board (WCB) and injuries related to Motor Vehicle Accidents (MVA).


Using your extended healthcare (EHC) benefits

Do you have extended health care benefits such Alberta Blue Cross, Sunlife, or Great West Life/Canada Life? Good news, we direct bill!


This means when you come in for your appointment, we can process the treatment claim while you are here. That way you can come in for your appointment, pay the remaining balance (if the appointment wasn’t fully covered), and be done! No hassle!


There are some exceptions to direct billing, depending on your plan and coverage. If you are insured under any of the following insurance companies we should be able to direct bill for you:

  • Alberta Blue Cross

  • ASEBP (Alberta School Employee Benefit Plan)

  • Canadian Armed Forces

  • Blue Cross

  • Royal Canadian Mounted Police

  • Veterans Affairs Canada

  • BPA – Benefit Plan

  • Great West Life – Canada Life

  • Canadian Construction Workers Union

  • Chamber of Commerce Group Insurance

  • CINUP

  • Claim Secure

  • Cowan

  • D.A. Townley

  • Desjardins Insurance

  • First Canadian

  • GMS carrier

  • Group Health

  • Group Source

  • Industrial Alliance

  • Johnson Inc.

  • Johnston Group Inc.

  • La Capitale Insurance and Financial Services

  • LiUna Local

  • Manion

  • Manulife Financial

  • Maximum Benefit

  • People Corporation

  • RWAM Insurance Administrators

  • Sunlife Financial

  • TELUS AdjudiCare

  • Union Benefits

  • Green Shield Canada

  • Empire Life

  • SSQ Insurance

  • Médic construction


Booking for a workplace injury: Worker's Compensation Board (WCB)

Did you know that WCB will pay for one Physiotherapy Assessment and one Physiotherapy Treatment, regardless of whether your claim is approved? This means you can book into physio right away and they can assist you through the WCB process!


Steps to take if you get hurt at work:

  1. Tell your employer the details of your injury. After receiving notice, your employer is required by law to report the injury within 72 hours if:

  • You need treatment beyond first aid

  • You missed time from work or adjusted your job beyond the day of the accident

  • In most cases, your employer is required to hold your job while you recover if you've been with them for over a year

  1. Tell your doctor, physiotherapist, or chiropractor you were injured at work.

  • Your healthcare provider is required by law to report the injury to WCB within 48 hours

  • WCB can help your healthcare provider expedite testing and consultations for you if needed

  1. Tell WCB about your injury - it's your right. Report at www.wcb.ab.ca

  • The sooner WCB gets your information, the faster they can help you get better

  • Modified work is a safe way to resume your job. Talk to your healthcare provider and employer to find out what you can do at work while recovering

  • Visit www.wcb.ab.ca for more info or questions

  1. Once you have reported your injury to your employer and WCB they will review your claim.

  • This includes making an initial decision on benefits and informing you of the status of your claim

  • If an adjuster or case manager is assigned to your claim, they will become your direct contact at WCB - you can call them directly for all your questions and/or updates on your claim

  • Once you receive a case manager and a claim number, relay this information to your physiotherapy clinic


The goal of your physiotherapist and WCB is to get you back to work safely and in a timely manner.


What to do if you are in a motor vehicle accident (MVA)


If you are involved in a car accident and have sustained an injury, it can be a confusing and stressful time. We are here to help make the process easier, here are the steps to take following your accident:


  1. Report your accident to your insurance company and let them know you were injured and want to start a claim.

  2. Contact your physiotherapist or physician within 10 days of your accident. They will have you fill out an AB-1 form, which should be completed within 10 business days of the accident.

  3. When booking physiotherapy, we will ask for the following information:

  4. Date of Accident

  5. Insurance company name

  6. Adjuster’s name and contact info

  7. Claim number

  8. Your physiotherapist will fill out the AB-2 form at your assessment and will send it to your insurance company with your AB-1 form. Your insurance company will then notify us of how many treatments you are approved for. Typically patients are approved for 10 - 21 treatments. You are considered Inside Protocol in this instance.

Motor Vehicle Accident FAQ:

What do I do if I want to book physiotherapy but it has been 10 days since my accident?

  • If you have a claim number and your adjuster's information, we can call to check if you are approved for physiotherapy. If you do not have a claim, file one with your insurance and call us back with your claim number and adjuster's information. We will then contact them to see if you can be booked for physiotherapy. You are considered Outside Protocol in this instance.

  • If it is 90 days post-accident, we will call your insurance company for approval if you have a claim. We will ask if you have EHC benefits, as they will have to be billed first if it is 90 days post-accident. Once we contact your insurance company, you will be contacted to book if approved. You are considered Outside Protocol in this instance.


As always, contact us if you have any questions, we are here to help make your booking process as simple as possible! Want to see us for treatment? Book in with one of our physiotherapists or massage therapists.



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