If you have been hurt in a car accident in British Columbia, physiotherapy is covered by ICBC, and you can usually start within days. This guide explains how many visits you get, what you pay, and the fastest way to begin treatment.
How many physiotherapy visits does ICBC cover?
ICBC pre-approves 25 physiotherapy visits in the first 12 weeks after a crash. This applies to everyone injured in a motor vehicle accident in BC, regardless of who was at fault, under ICBC’s Enhanced Care model introduced in May 2021.
Those 25 visits are pre-authorised, which means ICBC has already agreed to pay for them before you book. If your recovery needs more treatment after the first 12 weeks, your physiotherapist requests an extension on your behalf based on how you are progressing.
Do you need a referral to start ICBC physiotherapy?
No. You do not need a doctor’s referral, and you do not need to wait for an adjuster to approve treatment. The only thing you need to begin is your ICBC claim number, which you receive when you report the crash.
What do you pay for ICBC physiotherapy?
At a clinic that direct-bills ICBC, you pay nothing upfront for your covered visits. The clinic submits the claim to ICBC and is paid directly. As of May 2025, ICBC pays a set rate per physiotherapy session, and a clinic that bills within that rate leaves you with nothing to pay for the covered portion.
At Azalea, we bill ICBC directly for your covered visits. You bring your claim number to the first appointment, and we handle the billing and any extension paperwork from there.
What does ICBC cover beyond physiotherapy?
ICBC funds more than physiotherapy within your recovery plan. Active rehabilitation led by a kinesiologist, acupuncture, and other treatments are commonly covered when they are part of your care. Because Azalea is multidisciplinary, your physiotherapist can bring these in under one coordinated plan rather than sending you to separate clinics.
What injuries does ICBC physiotherapy treat?
The most common car-accident injury is whiplash, the neck strain caused when your head is thrown back and forward. Physiotherapy also treats the back pain, headaches, and shoulder or knee soft-tissue injuries that follow a collision. The goal is to settle the pain and rebuild movement so the injury does not turn into a long-term problem.
How to start ICBC physiotherapy
- 01Report your crash to ICBC by phone or online, and note your claim number.
- 02Book physiotherapy directly. No referral or adjuster approval is required.
- 03Bring your claim number and the date of the accident to your first visit.
- 04Begin assessment and treatment the same day. The clinic bills ICBC for you.
If you have a claim number and you are on the North Shore, you can start your ICBC recovery at Azalea this week, in English or Farsi, at either West Vancouver location.