What You Need to Know When Filing an ICBC Claim
If you’ve been in a recent car accident, you already know there are countless things to take care of. You’ll need to worry about any injuries you and other passengers and drivers sustained, as well as address any damage to your vehicle. However before you start on any of that, you need to file an ICBC claim.
Properly making your claim is a vital step in making sure you’re covered for the help you need, whether it’s the services of a mechanic or a massage therapist. If you’ve been in any kind of accident involving a motor vehicle (particularly if you’ve been injured), be sure to make your claim before doing anything else.
It’s now easier than ever with ICBC's online claim reporting tool, however you can also call it in if you prefer through their Dial-a-Claim line, which is (604) 520-8222 in the Lower Mainland.
Although properly making your claim is a crucial first step, there’s a lot more to it than that when it comes to getting coverage for the physical treatment you need. That’s why it’s vital that you know these 5 things when filing your claim!
1. You need to declare if you sustained any injuries as a result of your car accident when filing your claim
When you phone your claim into ICBC, you’ll be provided with a claim number. This helps any healthcare providers you see connect your treatment to your claim, which is essential to getting it covered by your insurance.
As long as you have filed a claim with ICBC for injuries and have a claim number, you are entitled to 25 physio sessions. It is helpful to have a doctor's note and assessment at the initial point of injury to document your injuries for a more complete medical record, but it's not required in order to start treatment.
2. There are a lot of options for covered treatment
Another thing many people don’t realize is that your prescribed services can come from a number of recognized healthcare professionals. These include:
Your regular doctor/general practitioner
Physiotherapists
Chiropractors
Kinesiologists
Registered massage therapists (RMTs)
Acupuncturists
The above healthcare professionals will be your best resource to getting treatment covered for physical injury. If you’re dealing with mental and psychological issues after an accident, you can also get services from a psychiatrist or clinical counsellor covered by getting a prescription from them.
Thanks to this long list of approved services, you can quickly determine which one will be of the most help to you. What does this mean for you if you’ve been injured after an accident? You’ll spend less time waiting for appointments, and more time focusing on your recovery.
3. Symptoms may take a little while to develop
Sometimes people get in a car accident, but quickly determine that they’re unharmed, and decide against seeking treatment. No one likes being injured, but that doesn’t mean you should assume you’re fine just because you don’t feel any immediate symptoms.
Check in with yourself after your accident. Even if you’re just a little stiff and sore, it could spell a more serious condition if left untreated for long enough. You should also make note of any new aches, pains, or limited mobility that develop as time goes on after an accident.
Regardless of how you’re feeling, the best move is to see a doctor as soon as possible after an accident. They’ll not only be able to identify the beginnings of any serious injuries, but they can also help you more easily start the ICBC coverage process if they determine you need treatment.
4. It’s easier to get your treatment covered in the first three months
Today, ICBC automatically covers 25 sessions with a physiotherapist, 12 sessions with an acupuncturist, and 12 sessions with a massage therapist if you’ve been injured. However, this automatic approval becomes a lot less simple if you wait longer than three months after an injury.
Because you’ve waited to seek treatment, ICBC may require documentation to prove that your injuries are in fact related to your accident and not related to other aspects of your life. This is another reason why being quick on the draw with getting treatment and seeking coverage is such a good idea.
5. Not all healthcare providers see ICBC cases
Unfortunately, not every physiotherapist or RMT provides services for people with ICBC coverage. So if you have a provider you normally go to, be sure to check whether or not they work on ICBC cases before booking anything.
Getting the help you need (and getting it covered)
If you’re looking for a trusted clinic that will see your recovery through to the end, providing all the help you need, covered by ICBC and at no extra cost, Triumph Physio and Wellness has got you covered. Many of our assessments and treatments are covered by ICBC, meaning you can get treated for your injuries without having to worry about breaking the bank. Whether you need acupuncture, mobility-restoring physio, or simple pain relief, we can help.
Learn more about our ICBC-covered services, or book a free assessment today through our website!
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