Injured workers need immediate, active treatment at the primary level, with timely access to other services. This requires the cooperation of
the WCB, workers, employers, and health care providers - particularly primary practitioners.
Because injured workers are exempt under the Canada Health Act, Saskatchewan Health can't assume the cost of their treatment. When the WCB accepts an injury claim, it assumes responsibility for the cost of care provided to that injured worker. To prevent
financial hardship to injured workers, health care providers bill the WCB for treatment they provide to injured workers. Therefore, all
health care providers who treat injured workers must be
accredited
with the WCB.
Health care providers who treat WCB clients have the following responsibilities:
- To report all work injuries even where a claim has not yet been registered. Failure to report treatment of a work injury contravenes section 54 of the WCB Act.
- To advise the injured worker to report the work injury to the WCB and help the injured worker or dependants in making their application for compensation. This includes giving all reasonable and necessary information, advice and assistance, and providing required certificates and proofs.
- To inform the employer directly or via the worker of any work restrictions required by the injury and an expected date of recovery to facilitate early transitional return to work with progression to full work duties when safe and appropriate.
- To maintain ongoing communication with the worker, the employer, other health care professionals and the WCB to support and encourage full return to work when appropriate.
- To follow the reporting requirements set out in the Standards of Care your professional association has established with the WCB.
For more information, see our
Recovery and Return to Work brochure.
The Saskatchewan WCB works with the health care sector to:
- Set WCB standards for some large caregiver groups
- Set WCB standards for facilities treating WCB clients
- Establish types and frequencies of reports
- Negotiate fee schedules
- Accredit care providers and assessment teams
- Ensure adequate number of rehabilitation centres in the province
- Assist primary practitioners as requested to access the earliest available specialist and diagnostic appointments.
Roles & Responsibilities