How to Start Physiotherapy Treatments with Your WorkSafe BC claim
If you’re recovering from a workplace accident, we understand how stressful the recovery process can be. You want to get back to work and full wages as soon as possible, but you might also be having trouble navigating how to receive physiotherapy care through a WorkSafeBC claim. Not to worry: we’ve compiled our answers to frequently asked questions here. This article will outline all the steps you’ll need to take to start your physiotherapy treatments.
What is WorkSafe BC?
WorkSafe BC is an organization that helps workers who have suffered a work-related injury and or disease. WSBC helps workers with, but not limited to; wage-loss benefits, vocational rehabilitation, permanent disability benefits, services for seriously injured workers, and service for families coping with a work related death. If you have a claim you would like to submit, contact WorkSafeBC at 604-231-8888. You can also submit a claim online.
I’m injured. What should I do first?
Report your injury immediately to your employer. They will either first submit their report and provide you with the related claim number, or they may direct you to call WorkSafeBC yourself and receive your claim number.
Note: receiving a claim number doesn’t mean your claim is approved: all claims start as “pending”.
If my claim is pending, what benefits am I entitled to?
So long as you are within 60 days of the reported injury, you are covered for an initial physiotherapy assessment. After that, you will have to follow up with your case manager to see if they approve your claim for further treatments.
How do I get my WorkSafe claim approved?
You’ll need to complete and submit 3 documents in order for WorkSafeBC to approve your claim status:
1. A Worker Report, which includes:
Contact information for yourself and your employer
The date of your injury and how it occurred
Who you reported your injury to (your employer, health care providers)
What, if any, days or shifts you’ve missed from work
Information about any additional employers you may have
Names and phone numbers of your health care providers (doctor, physiotherapist, etc.)
Your social insurance number
Your personal health number (from your BC Services card or CareCard)
If you've missed time from work, you'll also need to tell us your earnings from your most recent paystub and the past 12 months
2. An Employer Report:
This one your employer will need to fill out (click here for the link)
3. Health Care Providers Report:
Bring this to your GP/family doctor, as they will need to submit this to WorkSafeBC on your behalf.
After WorkSafeBC has received all three reports related to your claim, the case manager assigned to your file will review everything throughly and decide if it meets WSBC’s requirements.
What is a case manager?
A case manager is the WorkSafeBC employee in charge of your case. They help support you during your claim; they will be able to tell you what you’re entitled to, how WSBC works, and answer any questions you may have. They will also check in periodically to see how you are feeling and how you are progressing with treatments.
What happens after you’re approved?
After your case manager has signed off their approval, WorkSafe will cover the cost of the health care services and supplies that are considered reasonably necessary to treat your injuries. These costs might include:
Physiotherapy
Registered Massage Therapy
Chiropractic
Naturopathy
Hospital Service
Prescriptions
WSBC will only pay for one type of treatment at a time, so if you were seeing a physiotherapist, you would not be covered for any massage therapy, etc. You can always contact your case manager to discuss other options.
You are also eligible for wage-loss benefits, vocational rehabilitation, permanent disability benefits, services for seriously injured workers, and service for families coping with a work related death. Please contact your case manager to inquire about your benefits.
What would my treatment look like?
At this clinic we currently offer physiotherapy for WSBC claims.
For the first 90 days from the date of injury, approved claims are entitled to 6 weeks of treatment. During your pre-approval, you can book as many appointments as needed, depending on your treatment plan set out by your practitioner.
If you require more treatment after the first 6 weeks, your physiotherapist can submit an extension request to approve an additional 4 weeks of treatment. We can submit multiple extension requests for as long as needed, until you feel ready for full work duties or until your WSBC case manager opts to move you to an Occupational Rehab program.
How do I know if the physiotherapy treatment I’m receiving is effective?
Make sure you choose the right clinic to provide your WorkSafeBC physiotherapy care. If you’re getting treated at a clinic where they leave you sitting alone attached to a “tingly” machine, and give vague answers as to how many treatments you’ll need to reduce your pain, you’re NOT getting the proper treatment you deserve.
All of our treatments are hands-on, uninterrupted care from registered physiotherapists who work hard to help you regain your strength and mobility as efficiently as possible. We’re YOUR team: come and let us treat you like family.
I’d like to see you guys for physio, but I’m already going somewhere else. How do I switch clinics?
If you’d like to switch clinics more than 60 days after your injury, you must first get approval from your case manager.
If you’re within 60 days of your reported injury, book an Initial WSBC Physiotherapy Assessment online, or call us.
