- ICBC now categorizes massage therapy as per physiotherapy and chiropractic. This means that treatment is automatically approved for a claimant injured in a Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA).
- ICBC has removed the “1st 8 weeks post MVA” time limitation on massage therapy treatments. This means that a patient can seek and receive massage therapy any time after an MVA, provided that the claim is still open.
- An MD referral is no longer necessary for the first 12 treatments. But all therapists are required to assess and determine that their treatment plan is reasonable and necessary.
- ICBC is regulated to pay a portion ($23 per treatment) of a minimum 12 treatments but has the discretion to authorise further therapy (up to 20 treatments). A request for more than 12 treatments is given if further therapy is recommended by an MD, and again the treatments are deemed to be reasonable and necessary.