Your Complete Guide to ICBC
Chiropractic Claims in BC
If you've been in a car accident in British Columbia, you're pre-approved for chiropractic care under ICBC's Enhanced Care model — no referral needed and no out-of-pocket cost. This guide walks you through exactly how to access your benefits and start treatment.
What to Do After a Car Accident in BC
Being involved in a motor vehicle accident is disorienting, and most people aren't sure where to start when it comes to their healthcare coverage. The good news is that ICBC's Enhanced Care model — the no-fault insurance system in place since May 2021 — makes accessing chiropractic care straightforward. You don't need a doctor's referral, you don't need adjuster approval, and you pay nothing out of pocket. Here is exactly how the process works.
Report the Accident to ICBC
Call ICBC at 1-800-910-4222 to report your accident and open a claim. You'll receive a claim number — this is the key piece of information you need to access all of your benefits, including chiropractic care. If your accident involved injuries, ICBC will assign an adjuster to your file, but you do not need to wait for adjuster contact before starting treatment.
Call a Chiropractor Directly — No Referral Needed
In British Columbia, chiropractors are primary contact practitioners. You do not need a referral from your family doctor, a walk-in clinic, or your ICBC adjuster to begin chiropractic treatment. As soon as you have your claim number, call us at (250) 492-7027 or book online through JaneApp. We recommend booking within the first few days after your accident — early treatment leads to faster recovery.
Your First ICBC Chiropractic Visit
Your initial assessment takes approximately 45 minutes and includes a detailed history of the accident and your symptoms, a comprehensive physical examination with orthopedic and neurological testing, and — where appropriate — your first treatment. Bring your ICBC claim number, government-issued photo ID, your Personal Health Number (PHN), and your adjuster's contact information if available. Your chiropractor will explain your diagnosis, outline a treatment plan, and answer every question you have.
Treatment Coverage — 25 Pre-Approved Visits
Under ICBC's Enhanced Care model, you are pre-approved for up to 25 chiropractic sessions within the first 12 weeks of your accident. This includes your initial assessment. No additional approval is needed to begin or continue treatment within this window. If your recovery requires care beyond the initial 25 sessions, your chiropractor can submit a Treatment Plan to ICBC requesting extended benefits — we handle all of this paperwork on your behalf.
Direct Billing — You Pay $0 Out of Pocket
Okanagan Chiropractic Center is part of ICBC's Recovery Network. We bill ICBC directly for every visit — there is no upfront cost, no co-pay, and no reimbursement paperwork for you to deal with. You walk in, receive treatment, and walk out. We also handle all communication with your ICBC adjuster regarding your treatment progress and any requests for extended care.
Current ICBC Chiropractic Rates
Rates effective May 1, 2025. ICBC pays these fees directly — you are not billed.
Why Early Treatment Matters
Delayed symptoms are extremely common after motor vehicle accidents — particularly with whiplash injuries. The adrenaline and stress response from the collision can mask pain for hours or even days after the event. Many patients feel relatively fine on the day of the accident only to develop significant neck pain, headaches, back stiffness, and radiating arm or leg symptoms 48 to 72 hours later.
Research consistently shows that patients who begin treatment within the first week after an accident recover faster and have better long-term outcomes than those who delay. Inflammation, scar tissue formation, and compensatory movement patterns all accelerate when injuries go untreated. Your 12-week ICBC treatment window starts from the date of your accident — not the date you first seek care — which makes early action especially important.
Common Injuries We Treat After Car Accidents
Over 35 years of treating ICBC patients, our chiropractors have developed deep expertise in the specific injury patterns caused by motor vehicle collisions. The most common conditions we see include whiplash and cervical acceleration-deceleration injuries, mid-back and lower back pain from impact forces, headaches originating from cervical trauma, TMJ and jaw pain from airbag deployment or head impact, shoulder and upper extremity pain, muscle spasm and soft tissue inflammation, and joint restriction throughout the spine. For a detailed look at our approach to these injuries, visit our ICBC chiropractic treatment page.
35+ Years Treating ICBC Patients in Penticton
Okanagan Chiropractic Center has been treating motor vehicle accident injuries since Dr. Condren Berry founded the practice in 1991. We understand the ICBC system thoroughly — the claims process, the documentation requirements, and the communication protocols with adjusters and case managers. We handle all of the administrative work so you can focus entirely on your recovery. Our three doctors — Dr. Berry, Dr. Tamara Kornelsen, and Dr. Maia Pidperyhora — each bring complementary clinical skills to MVA injury treatment, and your care is always individualized to your specific injuries and recovery timeline.
If your injury occurred at work rather than in a motor vehicle accident, WorkSafeBC provides separate coverage for chiropractic care. Here's how the two programs compare:
ICBC — Auto Injuries
Visits: 25 pre-approved sessions
Window: 12 weeks from accident date
Initial fee: $124 (billed to ICBC)
Follow-up: $77 (billed to ICBC)
Referral: Not required
Your cost: $0
WorkSafeBC — Work Injuries
Duration: Up to 8 weeks of coverage
Initial fee: Billed to WorkSafeBC
Follow-up: Set by WorkSafeBC fee schedule
Referral: Not required
Your cost: $0
Do I need a doctor's referral to see a chiropractor after a car accident?
How many chiropractic visits does ICBC cover?
How much does ICBC chiropractic care cost me?
What should I bring to my first ICBC chiropractic appointment?
Does ICBC cover me even if the accident was my fault?
Injured in an Accident? Start Treatment Today.
25 pre-approved visits. No referral. $0 out of pocket. We handle all the ICBC paperwork so you can focus on healing.