ICBC Treatment Appointment Richmond BC
ICBC Enhanced Care and Recovery Benefits
Under Enhanced Care, all British Columbians injured in a crash on or after May 1, 2021 have access to medical care and treatment needed to recover, no matter who is responsible (at fault) in the crash.
What Enhanced Care coverage means for health services
To ensure the value and effectiveness of the care and recovery available under Enhanced Care coverage, ICBC works with a wide range of health care providers, disability advocates and other stakeholders.
ICBC focuses on creating a supportive and transparent customer experience. Enhanced Care enables customers to achieve recovery through quality care and delivers the greatest value to British Columbians. ICBC has defined a series of guiding principles that influenced the design of Enhanced Care:
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Fund evidence-based treatment that is reasonable, necessary, and medically advisable.
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Utilize function-based outcomes to support customer recovery.
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Support seamless and timely access to care.
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Customize the level of intervention and involvement to the unique needs of the customer.
Collaborate with health care providers to support their design and delivery of integrated care.
Under Enhanced Care, ICBC supports customers in accessing early access treatments, previously known as “preauthorized treatments,” that meet their rehabilitation needs. Early access treatments are available within the first 12 weeks following a crash. ICBC Pre-approved Treatments*
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25 Physiotherapy visits
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25 Chiropractor Visits
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12 Registered Massage Therapy Visits
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12 Kinesiology/Active Rehab visits
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12 Acupuncture visits
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12 Psychologist Visits
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12 Counsellors Visits
Treatments accessed within the 12-week period should be necessary for the customer's rehabilitation, with a focus on reaching functional goals and following evidence-informed best practices.
If a customer requires additional treatments beyond the early access period, the clinic can submit a treatment plan through the Health Care Provider Portal or the Health Care Provider Invoicing and Reporting (HCPIR) application. ICBC accept treatment plans via email using a pre-populated PDF form.
ICBC Treatment Plans
Under Enhanced Care, health care providers are required to submit a treatment plan for customers who need additional treatments or interventions beyond the early access treatments.
Treatment plans focus on the functional outcomes you anticipate customers will achieve with further treatment. Treatment plans are expected to demonstrate the direct benefit that further treatment could have on the customer's recovery without the requirement for a physician’s note. Health care providers can submit the treatment plan through the HCPIR application, the new Health Care Provider Portal, or via email using a pre-populated PDF form.
Reports
Initial reports
For crashes that occurred on or after May 1, 2021, initial reports from physiotherapists, kinesiologists and chiropractors are not required. If ICBC needs a report to make an insurance funding decision, an ICBC claim representative will contact you directly to request a progress report.
Progress reports
Progress reports (formerly called reassessment reports) are required when requested by an ICBC claim representative.
ICBC’s claim representatives will play a greater role in coordinating and monitoring a customer's claim, particularly when injuries are more severe and complex. This means ICBC will be proactively engaging with the customer and their care team to support recovery and introducing new ways to support collaboration between ICBC and health care providers. Together, we will learn how a customer's injuries are impacting their life, establish recovery goals and milestones, and will use the most up-to-date evidence to help support the best possible recovery.
Navigating ICBC Insurance Claims for Holistic Therapy Services
When in a motor vehicle accident, besides physical injuries, it's common to experience emotional and psychological distress as well. That's where holistic therapy services, like massages, trauma therapy, kinesiology, counseling, physiotherapy, and physiological assessments, can help. Fortunately, ICBC (Insurance Corporation of British Columbia) insurance can cover these therapies. Let's navigate this process together.
Step 1: Reporting the Incident
The very first thing you'll need to do is report the accident to ICBC as soon as you can. This can be done either online or by phone. They'll need some information, such as the date, location, and description of the accident, and details about any involved vehicles or drivers.
Once you've reported the accident, ICBC will provide you with a claim number. Think of it like a ticket to access the services you'll need. Keep this number safe – you'll need it when communicating with ICBC and your healthcare providers.
Step 2: Seeking Medical Attention
Next, get a medical examination from a healthcare professional. This could be your doctor, an emergency room physician, or a nurse practitioner. They'll assess your injuries and recommend treatments which may include massage, physiotherapy, kinesiology, counselling, or trauma therapy. This step is crucial not only for your health but also to document your injuries for your ICBC claim.
Step 3: Pre-authorized Treatments
ICBC pre-authorizes a number of treatments for motor vehicle accident victims, meaning that they agree to cover the costs of these treatments for a specified number of sessions within a certain period from the date of the accident.
As of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, these treatments include physiotherapy, kinesiology, massage therapy, and psychological or counseling services. The exact numbers ae available on the ICBC website, so it's essential to verify this with ICBC or your healthcare provider.
Step 4: Initiate Your Treatment
Once your doctor has recommended a treatment, or you yourself can start scheduling appointments with your selected healthcare providers. They will need your ICBC claim number to bill ICBC directly. Be open and honest about your symptoms and feelings with your therapists; this will help them tailor your treatment plan.
Step 5: Continuous Assessment and Further Treatments
Over time, your healthcare provider will continually assess your recovery. If you require additional sessions beyond what ICBC initially pre-authorized, your healthcare provider will need to provide a rationale to ICBC to request additional coverage.
For physiological assessments, the process is similar. These assessments are often used in more severe cases to provide an in-depth understanding of the impact of your injuries on your daily life. Your healthcare provider will communicate directly with ICBC to arrange this assessment.
Step 6: Mental Health Support
Dealing with the aftermath of an accident can be emotionally challenging. As a counselor, I can assure you that seeking support, such as counseling or trauma therapy, is a step in the right direction. ICBC acknowledges the importance of mental well-being, and coverage for these services is similar to that for physical therapies. Be sure to reach out and get the help you need.
Step 7: Keeping ICBC Informed
Throughout this process, you should keep ICBC informed about your recovery journey. This can include updates from your medical examinations, any changes in your symptoms, or impacts on your daily life. This will aid in smooth communication and the settlement process when you're recovered.
Navigating ICBC insurance claims can be complex, especially when you're also dealing with the aftermath of an accident. Remember, the priority is your recovery. Your healthcare professionals are there to support you and will work with ICBC to ensure you receive the necessary treatments. Don't hesitate to ask questions and seek help whenever you feel uncertain. This process may seem challenging at first, but remember, every step you take is a move towards healing and recovery.
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