What health services are covered by my ICBC claim?

The number of motor vehicle accidents in the Southern Interior continues to grow year over year. 2017 saw 46,000 reported crashes and 11,000 reported injuries.

In 2017, there were 2,121 reported vehicle accidents in the Kamloops region alone.

Of course, we all need to make an effort to prevent accidents from happening in the first place. But in the event that they do occur, it’s important to seek the necessary medical assistance as quickly as possible, and to be aware of the available coverage for medical expenses.

It’s also important to note that some injuries are not immediately noticeable. After reporting your claim to ICBC, see a medical professional for an assessment right away. Once you have a better understanding of the extent of your injuries, you can begin looking into treatment options, many of which may be covered by your ICBC claim.

Am I covered by ICBC?

Accident benefits cover up to $300,000 in necessary medical expenses following a crash, regardless of whether or not you are at fault.

As long as you were in a vehicle that is licensed and insured in B.C., then you are covered. Cyclists and pedestrians are also covered as long as they are named in an autoplan policy or have a valid B.C. licence, or are a member of a household of a person who is named in an autoplan policy or has a valid B.C. license.

The $300,000 can be used to cover a variety of rehabilitation services including medical and dental treatments, chiropractic treatments, physiotherapy treatments, kinesiology treatments, occupational therapy, medication, medical supplies and equipment and more.

In the event of a hit and run, B.C. residents are covered up to $200,000.

ICBC coverage breakdown

The amount of coverage offered by ICBC following a motor vehicle accident differs depending on the type of treatment. As of April 1st, 2019, ICBC has made changes to its coverage offerings.

Here is a quick overview of the updated coverage offered by ICBC. For more details, please visit the ICBC website or contact our team at Smart Rehab.

The number of treatments listed must be utilized within 12 weeks of the accident.

ICBC also offers coverage for physicians which can vary based on your circumstances.

Rehabilitation services in Kamloops

There are a number of rehabilitation services to choose from when recovering from an accident. The best option for you depends on the nature and extent of your injuries.

At Smart Rehab, we offer a diverse range of both physical rehabilitation and medical-legal services to help our patients throughout the entire recovery process.

Several of our services are covered under ICBC claims. One of our most popular therapies is active rehabilitation, also known as exercise rehabilitation, which is performed by a kinesiologist and often covered by your claim. You can learn more about active rehab and whether or not it’s the right choice for you here.

If you are unable to perform the meaningful, daily tasks that you used to due to your injury, you may benefit from occupational therapy, which is also typically covered. Occupational therapy, often confused with physiotherapy, aims to help patients recover from injuries as well as regain control of their lives with the use of physical supports, hands on rehabilitation, coaching, environmental modification, and more. You can learn more about occupational therapy and the differences between it and physiotherapy here.

We also offer aquatic therapy, spinal cord injury rehabilitation, and concussion/brain injury rehabilitation.

Physical rehabilitation after a motor vehicle accident is so important, but you may have other concerns, as well. At Smart Rehab, we communicate with ICBC on your behalf and deal with invoicing directly so that you can focus on your recovery. We also offer assessments, functional capacity evaluations, medical-legal critiques, and life care planning services to connect you with the resources and assistance that you need to get back to living your life.

If you’ve been involved in a motor vehicle accident and have questions regarding your recovery or the services that we offer, please do not hesitate to contact us. We would be happy to help!