TREATMENT BY CHIROPRACTORS

Does the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board Pay for Chiropractic Treatment?

Yes, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) pays for chiropractic treatment, but there are strict guidelines for the type and length of such treatment.

When Does WSIB Pay for Chiropractic Treatment?

WSIB pays for the first health care provider who treats your work-related injury. If the first health care provider is a chiropractor, then WSIB will pay for the treatments.

You may select any health care provider you wish for your next treatment. WSIB calls this your "initial choice" of health care provider. If your "initial choice" of health care provider is a chiropractor, then WSIB will pay for the chiropractic treatments. Once you have made your "initial choice", you cannot change to another health care provider without the approval of WSIB.

If your "initial choice" of health care provider is a medical doctor who refers you to a chiropractor for treatment, WSIB will pay the cost if they agree the treatment will help your injury. A medical referral from one doctor to another, where WSIB agrees with the method of treatment, is not considered a change of health care providers.

How Do You Get WSIB to Pay for Chiropractic Treatment?

• If your "initial choice" of health care providers is a medical doctor, he or she must notify WSIB in writing that chiropractic treatments will help your injury.

• When WSIB has approved your chiropractic treatments, they will advise you in writing.

• You must visit a chiropractor that treats clients with workplace insurance claims, as some chiropractors do not.

• Your chiropractor must send regular reports to WSIB, usually every two weeks.

How Long Does WSIB Pay for a Chiropractor?

• Chiropractic treatments are usually allowed for the first twelve weeks after an injury. WSIB health care staff will decide how long the treatments should last beyond the twelve-week period.

• If your chiropractor believes you need more than twelve weeks of treatment, after about eight weeks he or she should write to WSIB to request approval for additional treatment. In the letter to WSIB, your chiropractor should describe how the treatment has improved your condition and explain why additional treatment is necessary.

What If WSIB Decides Not to Pay for Chiropractic Treatment?

• You can appeal a decision to deny chiropractic treatment within six months of the date of the WSIB decision.

• Your doctor should write to WSIB explaining why you need chiropractic treatment.

• Because appeals involving chiropractic treatment are usually quite straightforward, you may wish to pursue them on you own. You should collect and submit the information suggested above to WSIB. Please see the OWA Workers' Information Kit called Appealing WSIB Decisions for guidance.

OWA Fact Sheet 18 - January 2003

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