What ICBC covers: key points.
- Visit allotments are per discipline. Physio, RMT, chiro, kinesiology, and acupuncture each have their own pre-approved counts.
- The 12-week window runs from the date of the crash, not the date of the first visit.
- Direct billing means you pay $0 out of pocket for pre-approved visits.
- Imaging is not billed through ICBC — it flows through the BC public health system.
What "pre-approved" means under Enhanced Care.
Since the Enhanced Care system launched in May 2021, ICBC has shifted away from fault-based recovery for treatment costs. The practical effect is that anyone hurt in a BC crash — regardless of fault — is pre-approved for an initial period of care from the listed professions. The relevant policy framework is published by ICBC at icbc.com/insurance/our-insurance-explained/enhanced-care.
Pre-approval is exactly what it sounds like. The visits are authorised in advance — the clinic does not have to fight for permission before each session. Your role is to attend the visits and engage with the rehab.
Per-discipline allotments.
| Profession | Pre-approved sessions | Regulator | Typical scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physiotherapy | Up to 25 pre-approved | College of Physical Therapists of BC (CPTBC) | Initial assessment, treatment, exercise rehab, manual therapy, IMS. |
| Registered massage therapy | Up to 12 pre-approved | College of Massage Therapists of BC (CMTBC) | Soft-tissue treatment within RMT scope. |
| Chiropractic | Up to 25 pre-approved | College of Chiropractors of BC | Spinal assessment, adjustment, soft-tissue work within DC scope. |
| Kinesiology | Up to 12 pre-approved | BC Association of Kinesiologists (registered, self-regulated) | Exercise progression, return-to-work conditioning, gym-based rehab. |
| Acupuncture | Up to 12 pre-approved | College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC (CCHPBC) | Acupuncture by a registered TCM practitioner. Physio-delivered IMS is separate. |
| Counselling / psychology | Up to 12 per discipline | BC College of Social Workers / College of Psychologists of BC | Post-collision anxiety, sleep disruption, return-to-driving support. |
Allotments are per ICBC's Enhanced Care policy and may change. We verify your specific coverage with ICBC before billing.
What direct billing means for you.
For pre-approved visits, you pay nothing on the day. The clinic bills ICBC directly. You sign a one-page consent at intake that allows the clinic to share clinical notes and treatment plans with ICBC, which is how they verify that visits are on track.
If a visit is going to fall outside the pre-approved allotment — for instance the 25th physiotherapy session is the last one in your window — we will tell you in advance. There are no surprise bills.
For the current self-funded session rate, see Medstar's Jane App booking page — published rates live there and are kept current.
What ICBC does not cover.
- Treatment unrelated to the crash. Pre-existing conditions can sometimes be in scope if the crash made them worse — your physiotherapist will document this carefully.
- Diagnostic imaging (X-ray, MRI) — these go through MSP.
- Equipment beyond what is reasonable for early rehab — most exercise tools you can use at home are not billed back.
- "Manual osteopathy." Osteopathy is not regulated in BC; ICBC funds the professions listed in the table above.
- Sessions after the 12-week window unless an extension is approved. See the extensions page.
ICBC coverage: common questions.
Are the visit numbers per profession, or shared across all of them?+
Per profession. The physiotherapy allotment is separate from the RMT allotment, which is separate from chiropractic and so on. You can combine disciplines within the same 12-week window.
What does 'pre-approved' actually mean?+
It means ICBC has authorised the visits in advance. You do not need to request approval before each session. The clinic confirms your specific allotment with ICBC, then bills ICBC directly for each visit until the allotment is used or 12 weeks have passed.
Does ICBC cover the cost of imaging like X-rays or MRI?+
Diagnostic imaging is handled through the BC public system (MSP) rather than ICBC directly. If imaging is clinically indicated, your physiotherapist or GP refers you, and you go through the standard MSP pathway.
What if I want to keep coming after the 25 physio sessions are used?+
You have two options. ICBC has an extension pathway when there is documented ongoing impairment. Otherwise, you can transition to extended-health-funded care or self-fund. See the 'after 12 weeks' page for the full picture.
Got a claim number?
Send it over — we'll confirm coverage with ICBC and book you in this week.
This page is for general information only and does not constitute medical or legal advice. ICBC coverage details, treatment allotments, and claim rules change — confirm the current terms with ICBC or a legal adviser before relying on them. Treatment suitability is determined case-by-case during clinical assessment. Physiotherapy at Medstar Sport Physio & Health is provided by physiotherapists registered with the College of Physical Therapists of British Columbia (CPTBC).