ICBC Physiotherapy in Surrey

Start ICBC care after a motor vehicle crash

Restore provides ICBC physiotherapy and rehabilitation in Surrey for people injured in a motor vehicle crash. Depending on your assessment, needs, and practitioner availability, care may include chiropractic, registered massage therapy, kinesiology and active rehabilitation, or registered clinical counselling. ICBC currently lists specific pre-approved treatment types and visit limits during the first 12 weeks after a crash. A physician or nurse practitioner referral is not required for those early-access treatments, but you need an ICBC claim number and Personal Health Number (PHN). Call Restore before booking so the clinic can confirm the appropriate service, practitioner, billing pathway, and any patient fee.

Getting Started

How ICBC early-access treatment works

ICBC’s current early-access program lists maximum pre-approved visits by profession during the first 12 weeks, or 84 days, after a crash. The period is measured from the crash date, not the first appointment. A pre-approved limit does not mean every visit is clinically necessary or that every provider charge is fully paid.

If care is needed after 12 weeks or beyond a listed limit, the health-care provider can recommend further treatment and work with the ICBC recovery specialist. ICBC decides whether to approve the extension. Check the official first-12-week treatment guidance for current limits and fees.

What should you verify before the first visit?

  • Timing and limit: confirm the crash date, treatment type, and number of early-access visits already used.

  • Claim information: bring the ICBC claim number and PHN, and identify the crash-related concern being assessed.

  • Provider and billing: ask whether the practitioner can direct bill ICBC and whether Restore charges a user fee.

  • Further care: ask what report or approval is needed if treatment continues after the first 12 weeks or listed limit.

  • Patient responsibility: ICBC does not cover user fees above its limit or clinic charges for late cancellations and missed visits.

Treatment type First 12 weeks
Physiotherapy 25 visits
Chiropractic 25 visits
Registered massage therapy 12 visits
Kinesiology 12 visits
Counselling 12 visits

These are ICBC’s current maximum pre-approved limits, not a treatment prescription or guarantee of full payment. Current fees and rules can change.

Reasons to seek an assessment after a motor vehicle crash

A regulated practitioner assesses crash-related symptoms, movement, function, and activity demands within their professional scope. The assessment helps determine whether a particular service and treatment plan are appropriate; it does not guarantee an outcome or ICBC approval.

ICBC care options at Restore

Depending on your assessment and goals, a practitioner may address:
  • neck pain, stiffness, headache, dizziness, or other symptoms reported after the crash;
  • back pain or stiffness affecting movement, sleep, work, or daily activity;
  • shoulder, hip, or other joint symptoms;
  • sprains, strains, or other soft-tissue concerns; and
  • changes in mobility, strength, balance, tolerance, or confidence with activity.

Seek urgent medical assessment for severe or worsening symptoms, new weakness or numbness, confusion, loss of consciousness, breathing difficulty, or another concern that may require emergency care. HealthLink BC provides head-injury warning signs and care guidance; call 9-1-1 for an emergency or 8-1-1 for non-emergency health advice in B.C.

What to bring to the first ICBC-related appointment

Looking for other coverage information? Visit our direct billing and WCB pages.

ICBC treatment questions

Do I need a physician referral for early-access treatment?

ICBC’s current first-12-week guidance says you do not need a referral from a physician or nurse practitioner, or separate ICBC approval, for the listed early-access treatments. You do need a claim number and PHN. Care after 12 weeks or beyond the listed limit may require a provider recommendation and ICBC approval.

How many visits are pre-approved?

ICBC currently lists up to 25 physiotherapy visits, 25 chiropractic visits, 12 registered massage therapy visits, 12 kinesiology visits, and 12 counselling visits during the first 12 weeks after the crash. These limits are not a prescription, guarantee of clinical suitability, or promise that every charge will be paid.

Will I have to pay anything?

ICBC pays up to its current approved amount for eligible treatment. A provider may charge more, leaving a patient-paid user fee that ICBC does not reimburse. ICBC also does not cover late-cancellation or missed-appointment charges. Call Restore before booking to confirm current clinic billing.

What services can Restore discuss for an ICBC claim?

Restore can discuss physiotherapy, chiropractic, registered massage therapy, kinesiology and active rehabilitation, and registered clinical counselling. The appropriate service depends on the assessment, professional scope, practitioner availability, timing, and claim. The clinic’s live booking instructions ask ICBC patients to call before choosing an appointment.

What happens if care is needed after 12 weeks?

The health-care provider can recommend additional treatment and work with the ICBC recovery specialist on an extension request. ICBC decides whether further treatment is approved. Review ICBC’s current treatment guidance and provider information, or contact Restore with clinic-specific questions.