ICBC PATIENTS
If you’ve been involved in a motor vehicle accident, your recovery process can feel overwhelming. At Plaza Physio, we make navigating your care simple and stress-free by working directly with ICBC to ensure you get the treatment you need without worrying about upfront costs or paperwork.
Our team specializes in treating accident-related injuries such as whiplash, soft tissue damage, back pain, and joint stiffness. We provide compassionate, hands-on care to help you regain your strength, mobility, and overall well-being. Whether you’ve suffered a minor sprain or more complex musculoskeletal trauma, we’re here to guide you every step of the way with personalized treatment plans designed to support your full recovery.
ICBC AUTOMATIC PRE-APPROVAL FOR ACCIDENT RECOVERY SERVICES
ICBC automatically pre-approves you for these services if you are involved in a motor vehicle accident within the first 12 weeks following the date of the accident when you have been involved in the accident:
- Up to 25 ICBC physiotherapy Burnaby sessions
- Up to 25 chiropractic sessions
- Up to 12 massage therapy sessions
- Up to 12 active rehab sessions
- Up to 12 clinical counselling sessions
- Up to 12 acupuncture sessions
These treatments are designed to address the most common motor vehicle accident injuries, including whiplash, soft tissue injuries, neck and back pain, headaches, and joint dysfunction. By starting care early, you can reduce the risk of long-term complications and speed up your healing process. The ICBC physiotherapy Burnaby sessions at Plaza Physio includes everything from manual therapy and targeted exercises to education on injury prevention and home management strategies.
Please note that automatic pre-approval does not apply if:
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- You have sought treatment elsewhere and are transferring your care to Plaza Physiotherapy
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- Your accident date occurred more than 12 weeks ago
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- Your claim is potentially a WorksafeBC claim (i.e., you were working at the time of the accident)
What is the cost to me?
At Plaza Physiotherapy, we understand that dealing with an accident claim can feel confusing and stressful, especially when you’re also managing pain or mobility issues. That’s why our team is here to help guide you through the ICBC process and costs from start to finish. We’ll answer your questions, explain your coverage clearly, and ensure you’re focused on what matters most, your recovery.
The following treatment options are fully covered by ICBC, within approval dates:
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- Initial and subsequent ICBC physiotherapy Burnaby sessions
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- Initial 45-minute RMT session
See below for a complete list of patient user fees. Please note that user fees are not reimbursable by ICBC.
ICBC CLAIM – INITIAL PHYSIOTHERAPY
45 MINUTES | NO USER FEE
For your first visit, please ensure you have your ICBC Claim number, Adjusters name, and phone number. The initial Physiotherapy treatment will include a diagnostic assessment and creation of a treatment plan plus education and take-home exercise homework. Treatment will vary on individual cases and includes a mixture of hands-on Manual Therapy, exercise movement instruction and prescription. Modalities include ultrasound, inferential, electromuscular stimulation, and possible Acupuncture.
Our goal is to reduce your pain, improve mobility, and prevent the progression of acute injuries into chronic conditions. Early intervention with ICBC physiotherapy Burnaby sessions often results in faster recovery times and better long-term outcomes.
ICBC CLAIM – SUBSEQUENT PHYSIOTHERAPY
30 MINUTES | NO USER FEE
For your subsequent visits ICBC will cover 30min appointment for the rest of your treatment block. ICBC physiotherapy Burnaby Treatment will vary on individual cases and includes a mixture of hands-on Manual Therapy, exercise movement instruction and prescription. Modalities include ultrasound, inferential, electro-muscular stimulation, and possible Acupuncture.
ICBC RMT INITIAL ASSESSMENT
60 MINUTES | $14
First Registered Massage Therapy appointment only. Please ensure you have your adjusters name and claim number on intake form or upon arrival.
ICBC RMT SUBSEQUENT VISIT
45 MINUTES | $18
Available only for ICBC patients who have had their initial assessment.
ICBC RMT 60 MINUTE TREATMENT
60 MINUTES | $46
Available only for ICBC patients who have had their initial assessment.
Why do I have to pay a user fee?
ICBC does not fully cover Registered Massage Therapy at Plaza Physiotherapy. If paying a user fee is not an option for you, please select one of the services that do not have a user fee associated or reach out to your extended health care provider as per the next question.
Can you bill my user fees to my extended health care provider?
Unfortunately, extended health care providers do not allow us to submit invoices for ICBC-related treatments. We strongly encourage you to inquire with your insurer to determine if you are able to self-submit your user fee receipts for reimbursement prior to initiating treatment.
Does ICBC cover late cancellation/no-show fees?
No, ICBC will not pay for any fees associated with late cancelled or missed appointments. These fees are the sole responsibility of the client and are not reimbursable by ICBC or your extended health care provider.
How do I know what my session limit and end date are?
It is important that you are always aware of your session limit(s) and/or end date(s). For the initial approval following an accident, your treatment block end date is 12 weeks from the date of your accident. In the event that a treatment extension is obtained, your new session limit and end date will be communicated to you by our front staff. In the event that you have forgotten or are unsure of your coverage information, please ensure that you inquire with our reception team or your therapist and they will be happy to provide you with that information. We do our best to keep our clients informed and are continually improving our systems to facilitate communication, but it is the ultimate responsibility of the patient to be aware of their coverage status.
What if I reach my end date/session limit and my therapist(s) and I determine I need further treatment?
If you are approaching your pre-approved session limit or end date and you and your therapist determine that further treatment is required, an ICBC treatment extension plan can be requested by your therapist.
ICBC Treatment Plans are a means of documenting our Patients recovery progress to date and the functional outcomes that you will achieve with further treatment. This information enables ICBC claim representatives to make timely and informed benefit decisions. Due to the time-sensitive nature of this process, we ask our patients to fill out a simple questionnaire before their next visit, so that we can have an idea of not only how we are doing in terms of your progress but where we need to continue to work to ensure your health returns to normal.
During your next visit, you will go over your treatment plan with your Practitioner to make sure that your Practitioner and you are on the same page as far as your treatment is concerned. As a result, this treatment block may sometimes not contain any treatment, but will still be a valuable tool for enabling more approved treatment sessions to be scheduled in order for further improvement and recovery to happen.
As soon as the ICBC Treatment Plan has been submitted to ICBC, we will wait for the Adjuster to reply and approve the plan before taking any further action.
We strongly encourage patients to obtain a GP referral for further treatment prior to requesting an extension to avoid any delays in obtaining approval from ICBC. Once the request is submitted, our administrative team will follow up with ICBC until a decision has been made.
Can I continue treatment once I run out of pre-approved treatment?
Yes! Our number one priority is your care, and continuity is important. In the event that you surpass your session limit or end date, you are able to continue with treatment by paying the private amount associated with the session at the time of your appointment. Any amounts paid are held on your account as a credit until ICBC contacts us with a decision. At that time, one of two things will occur:
1. If ICBC approves your extension request: Plaza Physiotherapy will refund you in full for any payments you have made for approved sessions.
2.If ICBC denies your extension request: Plaza Physiotherapy will update your billing to reflect private sessions/payments and provide you with official treatment receipts which can be submitted to your extended health care provider or used for tax purposes.
Can you bill my extended health care provider for treatments while I am waiting for an extension request to be approved?
Unfortunately, 3rd party insurers do not allow us to submit invoices for ICBC-related treatments. However, in the event that ICBC denies your extension request, you are able to submit receipts for any treatments you received for your insurer’s review.
Why is it taking so long to get my extension request decision?
ICBC adjusters review extension requests on a case-by-case basis. Sometimes, this may take longer than expected. In some cases, ICBC may require additional information to make a decision. In order to avoid delays, we strongly recommend patients obtain a GP referral for further treatment prior to their end date or session limit. Our team follows up regularly on all outstanding extension requests to get an answer as quickly as possible. We encourage patients to follow-up directly with their adjusters or lawyers (if applicable) in the event that ICBC is taking an extended period of time to respond to an extension request.
What if ICBC denies my extension request?
Sometimes ICBC may deny a treatment extension. In this case, you are of course welcome to continue treatment at Plaza Physiotherapy on a private paying basis.