Other Related Questions & Answers

Motor Vehicle Accidents

1. Who pays for physiotherapy?

If you are involved in a motor vehicle accident and require physiotherapy following, you are entitled to an initial assessment. Your auto insurance or the auto insurance of the car in which you were a passenger covers the cost of your assessment.

If your claim is accepted by your insurer and you are under protocols your insurer pays for your physiotherapy.

If your claim is accepted and you are not under protocols your must exhaust any private insurance you may have. If you require further physiotherapy after any private insurance is exhausted your insurer will cover the cost of your treatments, following authorization.

If your claim is not accepted by your insurer you will be required to pay for your physiotherapy treatment and seek reimbursement from any private insurance that you may carry.

2. Does Nor Med Therapies direct bill for Physiotherapy services?

If you are being treated for injuries covered under protocols Nor Med Therapies is permitted to direct bill your insurer for services.

If you are being treated for injuries outside the protocols your insurer may allow Nor Med Therapies to direct bill but this is at the discretion of the auto insurer. Prior to accessing these funds you must exhaust any private insurance you may have.

3. What does it mean if I am “in protocols”?

In 2004 the Alberta Government revamped the motor vehicle insurance legislation in response to ever increasing insurance rates. As part of that initiative early access to treatment without barriers was also made a priority.

Soft tissue injuries are deemed to be ‘within the protocols’: that is any sprain, strain or whiplash disorder not involving significant neurological symptoms.

To be deemed to be within protocols you must seek treatment within 10 days of the accident.

If you are seen within protocols, we are able to direct your auto insurer for your treatments.

4. What does it mean if I am “out of protocols”?

If you suffered a fracture, an internal injury or a head injury as a result of the accident you will not be covered under the protocols. This simply means that you will be funded through any government funding available, through any private insurance that you may have initially. If these are not available or are exhausted you will be treated under your auto insurance following authorization. Direct billing your insurer for physiotherapy treatments is at their discretion.

5. Why do you need my insurance information if I was not at fault?

This ensures that your access to required medical treatment is not delayed secondary to disputes as to fault. Alberta has “No Fault Insurance” legislation. This has been unchanged for many years.

6. If I was assessed at another clinic - Can I switch to Nor Med Therapies?

Yes, you may switch to Nor Med Therapies. You may be required to pay for your initial assessment privately as your insurer is only required to pay for one assessment.