ICBC Acupuncture Coverage: Your Guide To Getting 12 Pre-Authorized Acupuncture Treatments After A Crash

If you’ve sustained injuries in a car accident, you might be wondering what your options are for managing pain and discomfort. One type of treatment that may be beneficial to you is acupuncture, which is fully covered under ICBC’s Enhanced Accident Benefits program.

How does ICBC acupuncture coverage work? In the first 12 weeks after your crash, you’re automatically pre-approved for your first 12 acupuncture treatment sessions without any upfront cost. You can also go to any acupuncturist of your choice without a doctor’s referral and you don’t need prior approval from an ICBC-appointed support and recovery specialist either. All you need is a valid ICBC claim number, which can be obtained when you first report your accidentto ICBC.

Acupuncture is a great treatment option that can help you recover after a crash. It is an ancient Chinese medicine that involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body to help alleviate pain and improve overall health. It is often used to help manage pain and discomfort caused by a car accident, and it can help to reduce inflammation, improve circulation, and promote the body’s natural healing processes.

In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about ICBC acupuncture coverage. We’ll go over ICBC’s Enhanced Accident Benefits program and also answer the most important questions about the coverage you can get for acupuncture treatments after a motor vehicle accident. Read on to learn more.

ICBC Enhanced Accident Benefits: What You Need To Know Before Seeking Acupuncture Treatment

ICBC recognizes that acupuncture is an increasingly popular medical treatment that can accelerate your road to recovery so you can get back to your normal daily routine. It is one of several treatments that ICBC covers under its Enhanced Accident Benefits program.

If you’re involved in a car crash, ICBC will cover your medical expenses—no matter who is at fault for the accident. That means that ICBC will directly pay medical practitioners for treatments you get as a result of your injuries. They’ll also reimburse you for certain expenses resulting from the crash, including travel costs associated with medical treatment.

However, it’s important to note that these expenses can only be reimbursed after you’ve filed a claim with ICBC. Also, any medical treatment unrelated to your injuries sustained in the crash is not covered.

Here are some key things you need to know about the ICBC Enhanced Accident Benefits program:

Eligibility

All British Columbians who are injured in a car accident are eligible for the ICBC Enhanced Accident Benefits, regardless of who is at fault. This includes drivers, passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians who are injured in a crash with a vehicle anywhere in Canada or the U.S.

Coverage

The program provides coverage for the cost of a wide range of health care practitioners. This includes acupuncturistsas well as chiropractors, physiotherapists, counsellors, and more. Enhanced Accident Benefits covers medical, personal, and travel expenses related to your injury or injuries resulting from the crash.

Here’s a list of the number of approved treatments for each type of practitioner and the fees that are covered, including ICBC’s acupuncture fee schedule:

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Timeframe

In the first 12 weeks after the accident, you can go for treatment with the health care practitioners of your choice.

If your recovery isn’t going as expected, you may be able to extend your care beyond the 12 weeks. Your health care practitioner may recommend additional treatment. ICBC may also offer a Comprehensive Medical Assessment (CMA) to help to assess your injuries and support your recovery. If you experience a life-altering injury causing permanent and severe impairment impacting daily life, some additional benefits may be available through ICBC.

Claim number

To access the benefits of the Enhanced Accident Benefits or EAB  program, you need an ICBC claim number, which is given when you report the accident.

Health care practitioner

You can see any acupuncturist or other health care practitioner of your choice, however, it’s important to check with your practitioner if they will bill ICBC directly. If they don’t directly bill ICBC, you may need to submit receipts to get reimbursed.

If your crash occurred on or after May 1, 2021, you must submit your receipts within 180 days of the treatment or purchase date to be eligible. If your crash occurred between April 1, 2019, and April 30, 2021, you have to submit your receipts for reimbursement within 60 days of the treatment or purchase date.

Other treatments

Acupuncture is one of the treatment modalities you are pre-approved to access. You can also receive other different types of treatments such as physiotherapy, chiropractic, counselling, and more. You can also combine different treatments at the same time, but you can’t have two of the same treatments on the same day.

What Does ICBC Cover For Acupuncture?

ICBC is the first payer for acupuncture treatments. Any drivers, passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians who are injured in a crash are able to access 12 pre-authorized acupuncture treatment sessions within the first 12 weeks from the date of their crash without ICBC approval.

The number of pre-authorized treatments you can receive for acupuncture is outlined in the Insurance (Vehicle) Regulation and the Enhanced Accident Benefit Regulation.

How much does ICBC cover?

The number of approved treatments and the amount covered by ICBC will depend on the type of practitioner you need to see, according to ICBC’s Enhanced Care fee guide.

For acupuncture, ICBC will cover $111 for your initial assessment visit. For each subsequent visit, ICBC covers the standard treatment fee of $94 per visit. If you decide to choose a health care provider that charges a higher rate than what ICBC funds, you will not be able to recover the fees from ICBC.

Please be aware that pre-authorized treatments are limited to one treatment modality type per day. However, you are allowed to combine different pre-authorized treatment modalities together. For example, a patient may have an acupuncture treatment and a massage treatment, but not two acupuncture treatments on the same day.

What Is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) technique that involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body called acupoints. The goal of acupuncture is to stimulate these points in order to balance the body’s energy, called Qi or chi. By unblocking and balancing the flow of Qi in the body, acupuncture can help to alleviate symptoms of illness or pain and promote healing.

Acupuncture can be effective for a wide range of symptoms and conditions, including:

–       Headaches and migraines

–       Stress Management

–       Whiplash

–       Car accident injuries (ICBC)

–       Digestive issues

–       Sleep issues

–       TMJ (jaw) pain

–       Anxiety

–       Hormone imbalance

–       Women’s Health

–       Wellness Care

–       Acute and Chronic pain

–       Pre and Postnatal Care

–       Fatigue

Acupuncture is considered to be a safe and effective treatment when performed by a trained and licensed practitioner.

What Are The Benefits Of Seeing An Acupuncturist After You’ve Been Injured In A Car Crash?

Many people recognize that acupuncture can be an effective treatment option for injuries that are sustained from a car accident. Some of the benefits of seeing an acupuncturist are:

Pain relief

Acupuncture has been found to be effective in reducing pain caused by a variety of injuries, including those sustained in a car accident. Acupuncture can help to reduce pain intensity and improve pain-related quality of life.

Improved range of motion and function

Acupuncture can help to improve mobility and function in injured areas, which can be beneficial in the recovery process from a car accident injury.

Reduced muscle tension and spasms

Acupuncture can help to relax muscles and reduce muscle tension and spasms, which can be caused by injuries sustained in a car accident.

Stimulation of the body’s natural healing process

Acupuncture can help to stimulate the body’s natural healing process, which can aid in the recovery of injuries sustained in a car accident.

Reduced stress and anxiety

Acupuncture can help to reduce stress and anxiety, which can be common after a traumatic event like a car accident. Acupuncture can help to promote relaxation and calmness, which can be beneficial for the overall recovery process.

Book Your 12 ICBC Acupuncturist Sessions with Latitude Wellness In Vancouver

If you have been injured in an accident, starting acupuncture treatment as soon as possible can help you to get back to your normal daily routine quickly.

At Latitude Wellness, we offer acupuncture treatment without any upfront cost, as we bill ICBC directly for your first 12 acupuncture sessions. Our team of experts will work with you to ensure that you receive the best care and guidance, as well as the maximum benefits from your ICBC acupuncture coverage.

Our acupuncturist in downtown Vancouver will conduct a thorough assessment to diagnose and collaborate with you to create a personalized treatment plan that addresses your specific health concerns. We use a variety of modalities, such as acupuncture, cupping, moxibustion, guasha, dietary therapy, breath-work, and botanical medicine to provide the best care for our patients.

At Lattitude Wellness, we are committed to lifelong learning and excellence. Our goal is to form a collaborative partnership with you and find ways to help you thrive.

If you’ve been in an accident and require acupuncture treatment in Vancouver, or if you have any additional questions, don’t hesitate to contact us here or book an appointment below.