Massage therapists
Do you provide registered massage therapy treatment to customers injured in a car crash? Here are a few things you should know.
A better, more affordable ICBC
The B.C. government and ICBC have announced changes to auto insurance coming in May 2021. Under Enhanced Care coverage, British Columbians injured in a crash will have significantly enhanced recovery benefits whether or not the injured person was responsible for the crash. To learn more, visit
icbc.com/2021 and
ICBC changes to insurance.
Invoicing
Registered massage therapists (RMTs) approved to treat our customers and who have met ICBC’s vendor requirements may use the Health Care Provider Invoicing and Reporting (HCPIR) application to invoice ICBC. A vendor number is required to use the HCPIR. If you do not already have a vendor number or you need to make changes to your vendor information, visit our vendor number page.
ICBC is the first payer for massage therapy treatments administered on or after April 1, 2019. ICBC customers who choose to visit a health care provider that charges a higher rate than what ICBC funds will not be able to recover the user fees from ICBC for claims with an accident date on or after April 1, 2019. The patient is responsible for paying the user fee portion, which they may submit to their private health insurer for consideration of coverage.
When your rates are less than the fees posted in the table below, you may send ICBC invoices using the exception handling invoicing process. Instructions are posted on the Invoicing and Reporting page.
Treatment guidelines
RMTs are expected to assess patients and determine their treatment plans in accordance with College practice standards using evidence-informed practice when providing treatments.
When treating a patient with an injury listed in sections 3 or 4 of the Diagnostic and Treatment Protocols in the
Minor Injury Regulation made under the
Insurance (Vehicle) Act, a health care practitioner must educate the patient with respect to the following:
(1) (a) if applicable, the desirability of an early return:
a. to the activities the patient could perform before the injury, or
b. to the patient's employment, occupation or profession or the patient's training or education in a program or course;
(b) an estimate of the probable length of time that symptoms will last;
(c) the usual course of recovery;
(d) the probable factors that are responsible for the symptoms the patient may be experiencing;
(e) appropriate self-management and pain management strategies.
(2) When treating a pain syndrome and a psychological or psychiatric condition, a health care practitioner must identify comorbid conditions, if applicable.
Fees
Fees are based on a standard treatment, rather than being charged at an hourly rate.
Fee table
These fees apply to all treatments administered on or after April 1, 2020, regardless of the date of the accident that caused the injury. The fee table does not include taxes. The HCPIR application applies tax when applicable.
*The initial visit fee includes the assessment and standard treatment provided that day. A standard treatment is not to be charged for the date the initial visit took place.
Notes
- ICBC does
not require RMTs to complete reports.
- The fee schedule for a standard treatment is reflective of the fair market rate.
- Treatment frequency will be based on clinical recommendations and should reflect best practice. Multiple sessions provided by the same discipline, on the same day, will not be funded.
- In the case of a no-show, the clinic's no-show and cancellation policies should apply. ICBC will not pay for no-show appointments.
Clinical records
ICBC may request RMTs to provide clinical records. ICBC is not permitted to request clinical records without written patient consent.
Contact & support
Visit the
Support and resources page.