ICBC Treatment, Occupational Therapy & Active Rehab in BC

What is ICBC active rehab?

ICBC active rehab is therapist-guided, exercise-based treatment that helps you rebuild strength, movement, and function after a car accident — unlike passive care such as massage or heat. Delivered by kinesiologists and other providers, active rehabilitation is pre-approved under ICBC’s Enhanced Care for the first 12 weeks on your claim number, with no user fees when we direct bill.

If you’ve been injured in a car crash in British Columbia, ICBC’s Enhanced Care covers everyone for treatment for 12 weeks after the crash — regardless of who was at fault. You don’t need a lawyer or a doctor’s referral to start. Swift Health provides ICBC-covered occupational therapy, physiotherapy, active rehab (kinesiology) and counselling across the Lower Mainland, and we direct bill ICBC so there’s nothing to pay upfront.

How does ICBC treatment coverage work?

Since May 2021, ICBC’s Enhanced Care automatically covers everyone injured in a B.C. crash for 12 weeks of pre-approved treatment, no matter who was responsible. All you need to start is your Personal Health Number (PHN) and your ICBC claim number — no referral from a doctor and no separate approval from ICBC. The 12-week clock starts at the crash, and pre-approval ends either at 12 weeks or when your approved sessions are used up, whichever comes first, so it’s best to book treatment as soon as possible.

What treatments does ICBC pre-approve, and how many sessions?

In the first 12 weeks, ICBC pre-approves a set number of sessions for several treatment types. The table below shows the current approved amounts and fees (April 1, 2026 – March 31, 2027).

Provider	Pre-approved sessions	ICBC fee per visit
Physiotherapist	25	$97
Chiropractor	25	$77
Registered massage therapist	12	$107
Kinesiologist (active rehab)	12	$96
Psychologist	12	$246
Counsellor	12	$160
Acupuncturist	12	$115

Source: ICBC. Fees are set annually by ICBC; figures shown are for April 2026–March 2027.

Does ICBC cover occupational therapy?

Yes — ICBC can fund occupational therapy, but OT is not on the automatic pre-approved list. It’s arranged through your ICBC recovery specialist once your health care provider recommends it. In practice that means if your recovery involves returning to work, managing daily activities, home safety, adaptive equipment, or a personal care assistance (PCA) assessment, an occupational therapist gets involved through your recovery specialist rather than through the standard pre-approved sessions. Swift Health’s OTs work directly with ICBC recovery specialists to get OT approved and started.

Do I need a referral or lawyer to start ICBC treatment?

No. You don’t need a referral from a family doctor and you don’t need ICBC’s approval to begin pre-approved treatment in the first 12 weeks. You only need your PHN and ICBC claim number. You can start by contacting a clinic that direct bills ICBC and booking in — Swift Health can begin treatment right away.

Active vs passive rehab — which does ICBC prefer?

Active treatments are ones you participate in — exercise-based active rehab and kinesiology that rebuild strength and function. Passive treatments (like massage) mainly manage pain. ICBC encourages you to prioritize active treatments, because they’re more effective at restoring physical function within your 12 weeks of coverage. A good plan balances both, but leans active.

Will I have to pay anything? (Direct billing)

Many B.C. providers, including Swift Health, direct bill ICBC — so you pay nothing out of pocket for covered treatment. If a provider can’t direct bill, you’d pay upfront and submit receipts to ICBC for reimbursement within 180 days (6 months) of the expense. Keep all receipts and set up direct deposit with ICBC for the fastest reimbursement.

What happens if my recovery takes longer than 12 weeks?

Coverage can continue past 12 weeks, but it’s no longer automatic. Your health care provider works with your ICBC recovery specialist to approve additional treatment. Staying in contact with your recovery specialist (ICBC suggests every 2–3 weeks) helps additional treatments get approved sooner.

How do I start ICBC treatment at Swift Health?

Report your crash to ICBC to get your claim number, then contact Swift Health with your claim number and PHN — we’ll direct bill ICBC and get your treatment booked, usually without any wait for approval. We serve clients at our clinics and, where appropriate, at home, work, or in the community across Surrey, Langley, Vancouver, Maple Ridge and the wider Lower Mainland.

Frequently asked questions

How long do I have to start ICBC treatment? Pre-approved coverage runs for 12 weeks from the date of the crash, or until your approved sessions are used up. Book as early as possible.

How many physiotherapy sessions does ICBC cover? Currently 25 pre-approved physiotherapy sessions in the first 12 weeks (April 2026–March 2027 fee schedule), plus other providers such as kinesiology (12) and massage (12).

Is occupational therapy automatically covered by ICBC? No — OT isn’t auto-pre-approved, but ICBC can fund it through your recovery specialist when your provider recommends it.

Do I pay anything at Swift Health for ICBC treatment? No. Swift Health direct bills ICBC for covered treatment, so there’s nothing to pay upfront.

Sources: ICBC — Accessing treatment during your first 12 weeks of recovery (icbc.com). Verify current session counts and fees against ICBC’s live page before each fee year.

Start ICBC treatment with Swift Health

We direct bill ICBC and can usually book you in without any wait for approval. Contact Swift Health to get started, or call us today.