Health care providers must be accredited with the WCB and authorized to treat our clients because the WCB pays all medical expenses for injured workers. Sask Health does not pay for the care of WCB clients because injured workers are exempt under the Canada Health Act.
Because the WCB is responsible for the cost of care for our clients, we have our own standards of care, fee schedules, reporting requirements and quality assurance programs governing the care provided to our clients. These standards and schedules are developed and reviewed regularly in cooperation with professional associations and licensing bodies in the province.
WCB Accreditation
- Physicians, chiropractors, dentists and optometrists are accredited through Saskatchewan Health and, therefore, are automatically accredited with the WCB.
- Physical therapists, occupational therapists, massage therapists, exercise therapists, counsellors, psychologists and audiologists must be accredited by the WCB for each location at which they treat WCB clients.
- Assessment Teams and Treatment Centers must also be accredited with the WCB.
To Apply for Accreditation
Authorization to Treat
Once accredited, all health care providers, except physicians, physical therapists and chiropractors must have a
Primary Authorization to Treat (MCARE) form signed by the client's WCB Case Manager before they can treat a specific WCB client. This assures the care provider that:
- the WCB has accepted responsibility for the worker's injury or condition, and
- they can bill the WCB directly for their services. (The WCB Act specifies that workers receive care at no charge.)
If this authorization is not received prior to treatment, services provided may not be paid for by the WCB. If a claim is subsequently denied following approval for treatment, the WCB will be responsible for payment for services to the date of the advice to the provider.
Accreditation