ICBC physio · North Vancouver & Vancouver
ICBC physiotherapy in North Vancouver
Just had a crash? You're already covered.
BC's Enhanced Care system pre-approves you for 12 weeks of physiotherapy after a motor-vehicle crash, with no referral and no upfront cost. Send us your claim number and we book you in this week.
How ICBC physiotherapy works in BC
After a motor vehicle accident in BC, ICBC's Enhanced Care program pre-approves you for up to 25 physiotherapy sessions in the first 12 weeks, with no doctor's referral needed. Contact Medstar Sport Physio with your ICBC claim number and we handle the direct billing; you pay nothing out of pocket for pre-approved visits. If you don't have a claim number yet, book anyway and bring it to your first appointment. Your physiotherapist submits progress reports to ICBC at set intervals and can apply for extensions if recovery is still ongoing at 12 weeks. Medstar Sport Physio is an ICBC-approved clinic in North Vancouver, a short drive from downtown Vancouver via Lions Gate Bridge or a SeaBus and bus connection, and typically has same-week availability for new crash patients from Vancouver and the North Shore alike.
How it works
Four steps. We do most of them.
Medstar is an ICBC-approved physiotherapy clinic in North Vancouver that accepts ICBC claims directly, with no upfront cost to you. Most patients call us within hours of a crash, before they even have a claim number, and that is fine. Here's how the intake works from roadside to first session. Want the full breakdown? Read our plain-English ICBC guide.
Step 01
Report the crash to ICBC
Online at icbc.com or by phone (1-800-910-4222). They issue a claim number, usually the same day. No GP referral is needed to start physiotherapy, RMT, chiropractic, or kinesiology.
Step 02
Send us the claim number
Use the form below, call, or text (604) 988-5411. We verify your pre-approved allotment with ICBC before your first session, so you never have to chase the paperwork yourself.
Step 03
Come in this week
Your first session includes a full assessment, hands-on treatment, and a written plan covering what we'll do over the next 12 weeks. Most patients are booked within 48 hours of contacting us.
Step 04
We bill ICBC directly
You pay $0 for covered visits. We submit clinical notes to ICBC, coordinate with your adjuster, and initiate any extension requests if your recovery needs more time beyond 12 weeks.
Common crash injuries
ICBC crash injuries we treat in North Vancouver.
Crash injuries present differently from gym injuries or overuse strains. Our physiotherapists are trained in the clinical profiles specific to motor-vehicle trauma, from hyperextension injuries to post-concussion vestibular rehab. All of the conditions below are covered under ICBC Enhanced Care.
Why Medstar for ICBC
Doctoral & master's-level physiotherapists
Every physio on staff holds a doctoral or master's degree in physiotherapy from a recognised Canadian or international university.
Advanced modalities
First on the North Shore with Class IV High-Power Laser. One of the few North Vancouver clinics with TECAR Therapy. Both are used to accelerate tissue repair after trauma.
Multidisciplinary under one roof
Physio, RMT, acupuncture, osteopathy, and clinical counselling, all pre-approved under ICBC Enhanced Care and all at 1325 Marine Drive.
Active rehab & kinesiology details →We handle the ICBC paperwork
Initial reports, progress notes to your adjuster, and extension requests, so you can focus on recovery instead of administration.
How ICBC progress reports work (CL489F, CL751) →
What ICBC actually covers
Pre-approved care, no fight required.
Enhanced Care covers a defined number of visits across multiple professions for the first 12 weeks. You don't need to convince anyone, because your claim number unlocks it all.
| Treatment | Pre-approved sessions |
|---|---|
| Physiotherapy | 25 |
| Chiropractic | 25 |
| Registered massage therapy (RMT) | 12 |
| Kinesiology (active rehab) | 12 |
| Acupuncture | 12 |
| Psychology / counselling | 12 |
Sessions are per ICBC Enhanced Care policy. Coverage window: 12 weeks from the date of the crash. No GP referral required. Direct-billed by Medstar. We confirm your specific coverage with ICBC before booking. For policy details, see icbc.com.
Send us your claim
Got the claim number? We'll take it from here.
We'll call you within 2 business hours to book your first session and confirm coverage with ICBC. If you don't have the number yet, send it anyway and we'll pencil you in and chase the paperwork in parallel.
"Dr. Ahmadi was great, very professional and expert. Recovery was faster than I imagined possible."
Mohammad Nasr, Google review
Meet our teamRelated reading
From the journal.
ICBC FAQ
ICBC physiotherapy questions, answered.
How many physiotherapy sessions does ICBC cover after a crash?
Under ICBC's Enhanced Care system, physiotherapy is pre-approved for up to 25 sessions in the first 12 weeks after a reported crash. Chiropractic is also 25. Registered massage therapy, kinesiology, acupuncture, and counselling are each pre-approved for 12. The allotments are separate per profession, so using physiotherapy visits leaves your massage therapy count untouched. The 12-week window runs from the crash date.
Does ICBC cover massage, acupuncture, and kinesiology?+
Yes. Under ICBC's Enhanced Care system, registered massage therapy, acupuncture, kinesiology (active rehab), and counselling are each pre-approved for 12 sessions in the first 12 weeks after a reported crash. You do not need a doctor's referral for any of them. Each profession has its own separate count, so booking massage therapy leaves your 25 physiotherapy sessions available. We confirm your coverage with ICBC before your first visit.
Do I need a referral?+
No referral is required. Under ICBC's Enhanced Care system you are pre-approved for treatment in the first 12 weeks after a reported crash, and that applies to physiotherapy, registered massage therapy, chiropractic, kinesiology, and acupuncture alike. What you need instead is your ICBC claim number and your Personal Health Number. We confirm your coverage with ICBC before your first session and bill ICBC directly for covered visits.
What if I don't have a claim number yet?+
Book the appointment anyway. Most clinics, including ours, will schedule your initial assessment and bring you on board while ICBC finalises the claim, so you bring the claim number to your first or second session instead. If you report the crash to ICBC online and the details are straightforward, the claim number is typically issued the same day. Phone filing can take longer at busy times.
Will I pay anything out of pocket?+
For pre-approved visits under ICBC's Enhanced Care system, you pay nothing at the clinic, because we bill ICBC directly for every covered session. If a visit is going to fall outside your allotment, such as your last physiotherapy session inside the 12-week window, we tell you before that appointment happens. The same goes for any service ICBC does not fund, so no invoice arrives unannounced.
What if 12 weeks isn't enough?+
The 12-week window sets how long your visits stay pre-approved, and recovery often runs past it. ICBC has an extension pathway for that, used when there is documented ongoing impairment. Your clinician prepares the request, sometimes with a short supporting letter from your GP. Measurable findings, a clear treatment plan with a defined endpoint, and steady attendance all strengthen it. Treatment can continue while ICBC reviews the request.
I'm an out-of-province driver, does this apply?+
Generally yes, if the crash happened in BC. Eligibility for ICBC care and recovery benefits depends mainly on where the crash took place rather than where you live or where your vehicle is registered, so visiting drivers are usually covered. Some details can vary with your home province's insurance rules, so we verify your specific coverage with ICBC before your first session and before billing any visit.
What if it wasn't my fault / it was my fault?+
Fault does not change your access to treatment. Under ICBC's Enhanced Care system, care and recovery benefits are funded because you are injured, so the at-fault driver is pre-approved for the same physiotherapy, massage therapy, and other visits as anyone else in the crash. Fault is decided separately by ICBC and mainly affects your premiums going forward. You report the crash and start treatment the same way.
How soon can I be seen after a crash?+
We call you back within 2 business hours of your claim reaching us to confirm coverage and book your first session, and most new crash patients are seen within 48 hours. We keep same-week openings specifically for crash patients from Vancouver and the North Shore, so a delayed booking rarely happens on our end. Starting treatment early in the 12-week window also gives more room for a supported extension if your recovery runs past it.
What happens at my first ICBC physiotherapy appointment?+
Your first visit is a full assessment: your physiotherapist reviews the crash and your symptoms, tests your movement and strength, and identifies which structures are injured. You leave with a written treatment plan covering the following 12 weeks, along with hands-on treatment the same day where appropriate. We also confirm your ICBC coverage before this appointment, so nothing about billing is left unclear when you arrive.
Visit allotments and coverage details are based on ICBC's Enhanced Care policy and may change. We confirm your specific coverage with ICBC before booking. This page is for general information only and does not constitute legal or insurance advice. For authoritative information, visit icbc.com.
Already had your crash?