Chiropractors accredited with Saskatchewan Health are concurrently accredited with the WCB and, therefore, are not required to apply for accreditation with the WCB.
Accreditation
WCB Standards and Requirements
Authorization to treat
Treatment
Reporting
Billing
Payments
E-business transactions
Accreditation
Chiropractors are automatically accredited with the WCB through the Saskatchewan Medical Services Branch (MSB). Once in place, chiropractors use their MSB billing number to bill the WCB for service to injured workers.
WCB Standards and Requirements
When treating WCB clients, health care providers assume certain
roles and responsibilities.
The WCB relies on all health care providers to ensure that:
- all workplace injuries requiring medical aid are reported promptly;
- all treatment is necessary and consistent with established agreements; and
- all invoices are appropriate. More
In treating WCB clients, chiropractors will:
The WCB annually evaluates the quality and outcomes of care provided by individual chiropractors against that of their peers and offers out-reach services as necessary to ensure consistent standards of care to injured workers.
Authorization to Treat
- Your chiropractic license includes a direct access provision, therefore you can treat clients without referral by another licensed provider.
- Within three days of your initial assessment of a client requesting work injury related treatment, you need to forward a Chiropractor's Initial Report (CHI) form detailing your initial findings to initiate the WCB negative-response system that confirms funding of chiropractic care. Note: The Authorization to Treat form has been eliminated.
- When an injury claim has been disallowed or benefits terminated, you will be notified that the WCB cannot pay for further assessment or treatment.
- You will be paid for the intake assessment, the initial report and any treatment given up to the date of notification of non-coverage. The WCB will also pay reporting fees to date of notice.
- Until WCB advises of non-coverage, Medical Services Plan, other insurers, and/or the worker shall not be billed for any treatment or portion of treatment.
Treatment
- Return to work and active lifestyle should generally be part of each worker's treatment plan. For more information, see our Recovery and Return to Work brochure.
- If the injured worker's recovery does not progress, contact the WCB to request advanced assessment and treatment, or expedited appointments, if required. See also Disability Duration Guidelines.
- When acting as the primary care provider, chiropractors may refer WCB clients to other care providers;
- Referrals must identify the medical limitations and goals and objectives of treatment; and
- Please note: Referrals do not constitute authorization to treat. If you refer WCB clients to non-physician providers, the providers must contact the WCB for authorization to treat the referred clients on a file-by-file basis.
Reporting
Under
Section 54-56 of the Saskatchewan Workers' Compensation Act, 1979, care providers are required to provide reports to the WCB and do not require a signed release from the worker to do so. Early and regular care provider reports are important to the worker and the WCB because:
- The WCB requires client medical records to process claims and appeals; and
- The WCB may need to provide copies of reports to other health care providers, i.e., Assessment Teams, Treatment Centres and specialists to assist in obtaining the best possible assessments and treatments for injured workers.
You should advise injured workers that their medical records may be made available to their employers or others if their claims are appealed.
Reporting fees are paid by the WCB where the care provider invoices the appropriate fee. If more than one report is received in the same day, only one report fee is paid. The WCB will not pay for illegible or incomplete reports.
Use the following forms to provide information about treatment, functional recovery, and response to treatment. Please fill out reports completely and legibly and fax them to WCB as quickly as possible. The WCB can not pay for illegible or incomplete reports.
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Functional Outcome Measures (FOM)
Administer the appropriate Functional Outcome Measures self report tests to WCB clients as soon as possible to help identify those who may be at risk for prolonger recovery and who would benefit from more intensive treatment. These tests include:
Only the client's FOM score should be submitted to the WCB, not the form itself. The score is to be reported on the Chiropractor's Initial Report below.
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Chiropractor's Initial Report
You are required to submit a Chiropractor's Initial Report (CHI), including the appropriate FOM score, for all injuries, including those that do not result in time off work. Where the injured worker loses time from work because of an injury, the CHI provides confirmation of disability, which allows the WCB to arrange timely payment of benefits to injured workers. Prompt reporting is important to prevent financial hardship for the injured worker and family.
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Progress and Discharge Reports
A Chiropractor's Progress/Discharge Report (CHP), including the appropriate FOM score, should be completed after each block of 6 treatments unless the worker has been discharged, in which case, the CHP should be completed within 7 days.
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Return to Work Report
Once a return-to-work plan has been agreed upon, the chiropractor will submit a Practitioner's Return to Work Report (PRTW) to the WCB with copies to the primary care provider, the employer and worker to confirm the hours of worker and restrictions.
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Other Reports
Copies of special reports - diagnostic, operative, etc. - should always be forwarded to the WCB. They provide the WCB with relevant information, and save the attending practitioner from preparing a separate report.
Reporting fees are paid by the WCB when the care provider invoices the appropriate
fee. If more than one report is received in the same day, only one report fee is paid.
There is a two-tier fee for CHI and CHP reports: one for reports that include FOM scores and a lower fee for those that do not include the scores.
Billing
- To bill the WCB for services provided to WCB clients, see the sample billing form. If you prefer to use a different format, make sure to include all the information requested on the CHRO form.
- The schedule of payments for services and reporting fees are established by the WCB in negotiation with the Chiropractors Association of Saskatchewan.
To expedite payment for services:
- Retain your daily record of services provided in case of an audit;
- List all services and service dates on your invoice;
- Follow the fee schedule agreed to by your professional association;
- Forward the completed invoice to the WCB. and
- Submit a Direct Deposit Application to receive your payments by electronic transfer.
Payments
- The WCB issues payment to caregivers weekly and provides vouchers detailing the payments that were issued. These vouchers may include explanatory codes to provide detail regarding specific services. The WCB will also provide a monthly summary of all payment made to you by cheque or direct deposit.
- Where an injury claim is disallowed, the WCB pays for treatments to date of notification; and pays all reporting fees.
- You can apply to have all payments from the WCB deposited by electronic transfer into your bank account. Each clinic's deposit can be directed to a different bank account, if you wish, in which case, a separate Direct Deposit Application is required for each clinic from which you submit WCB claims.
E-Business Transactions
As an accredited WCB care provider, you can access information about your WCB payments through our secure
@WCB Online Services. To use this service, you must first apply for an @WCB e-business account by clicking
here. Read the disclaimer, check the box at the bottom and click "I agree". Provide your email address and a security password.
Once your @WCB account is approved, you can conduct the following secure transactions at your convenience:
- view payment history;
- view file information about clients the WCB has referred to you;
- update treatment lists;
- report an injury;
- report injury progress;
- review forms you have submitted; and
- give your billing clerk, accountant or others access to your account.
Clinics may also apply for @WCB secure access to:
- view Voucher Details;
- download Voucher Details; and
- search for cheque information
