Journal
How ICBC massage and physiotherapy works in BC
4 minute read. Written by the team at Back in Health, Kelowna.
In short
After a motor vehicle accident in British Columbia, ICBC pre-approves a block of treatment including massage therapy, physiotherapy and kinesiology, with no doctor referral required. The clinic bills ICBC directly, so there is nothing to pay up front. The entitlement is time-limited from the accident date, so booking early matters.
What you need before booking
Report the accident to ICBC and you will be given a claim number. That number is all a clinic needs in order to bill directly. You do not need a doctor referral, and you do not need to wait for an adjuster to approve anything for the pre-approved portion.
Bring the claim number, the accident date, and your adjuster details if you have them, to the first appointment.
Why waiting costs you
Pre-approved treatment is counted from the date of the accident, not from the date you decide to use it. People often wait to see whether the stiffness settles by itself, and lose weeks of funded treatment doing so.
Whiplash-type injuries also tend to declare themselves late. Feeling fine on the day and stiff on day three is a normal pattern rather than a sign you were not really hurt.
What treatment usually involves
Most collision-related work centres on the neck, upper back and shoulders, often with headaches. Treatment combines hands-on work with a graded return to normal movement, because prolonged rest tends to slow recovery rather than help it. Kinesiology is frequently used alongside, to rebuild the capacity that guarding takes away.
Back in Health accepts ICBC patients at both Kelowna clinics. We do not currently accept WCB or WorkSafeBC claims.
Key points
- No doctor referral needed for pre-approved ICBC treatment
- Bring your claim number to the first appointment
- Billed directly to ICBC, nothing to pay up front
- The entitlement runs from the accident date, so start early
- WCB and WorkSafeBC are not accepted at Back in Health
General information, not a diagnosis or a treatment plan. If something is getting worse, or you are unsure whether it is right for you, speak to a clinician.