The snow day that we won’t forget soon was on Tuesday, November 29th, when an afternoon snowstorm caused chaos and mayhem on many roads and bridges throughout BC’s South Coast. Snowmaggedon caused countless vehicles to slip, slide and crash into one another, resulting in a 94% spike in motor vehicle accident (MVA) claims to the Insurance Corporation of BC (ICBC) compared to the previous Tuesday. In a single day, ICBC logged a total of 3,567 claims.
When the unexpected happens such as a car accident in a sudden snowstorm, there may be bodily injuries sustained alongside the damage to your vehicle. Whiplash, fractures, sprains, spinal injuries, back and neck injuries, concussion and broken bones are just some of many injuries sustained in an MVA. In many cases, the signs and symptoms of injury may not manifest themselves until a few days following the accident. It is crucial for you to seek medical help as soon as you suspect you had sustained an injury in a car collision.
Seeking Medical Care and Treatment After a Motor Vehicle Accident
In the immediate aftermath of an MVA, you may be traumatized and feeling the physical effects of your ordeal. If you believe you sustained an injury in an accident, there are a few steps in the process of seeking medical care and treatment:
- Report the MVA immediately to ICBC and receive a claim number
- Find a healthcare provider that specializes in MVA injury care (such as 3PK)
- The healthcare provider will bill ICBC directly for the cost of the treatments
- The healthcare provider will do an assessment of your injuries and develop a treatment program
- You will begin treatment
- You will recover and be able to resume your life’s activities
You can be assured that ICBC will provide support and assistance with the costs of accessing care and rehabilitation through the ICBC Enhanced Accident Benefits program. Please note that ICBC may not cover 100% of the costs of your treatment. The following is a list of treatments covered by ICBC, the number of approved treatment sessions covered and the standard treatment fees covered between April 1, 2022 and March 31, 2023:
- Physiotherapy, 25 approved treatment sessions, no user fee.
- Chiropractor Services, 25 approved treatment sessions, no user fee.
- Registered Massage Therapy, 12 approved treatment sessions, there is a user fee (ICBC covering up to $85 of the appointment)
- Kinesiology (Active Rehabilitation), 12 approved treatment sessions, 30-min sessions no user fee.
The portion of costs for treatment not covered through the ICBC Enhanced Accidents Benefits plan will be the responsibility of the patient – also known as the co-pay or user fee portion. If you are registered with a health plan through an employer or have extended healthcare insurance, contact the plan administrator to find out about additional coverage that may be available for your treatment. At 3PK we provide direct billing services on behalf of our clients, where we directly invoice ICBC and most extended healthcare insurance providers for your medical care. This we do as a courtesy to our patients, as we take care of paperwork, file receipts and help save you any upfront costs or out-pocket expenses.
At 3PK, in Langley, BC, we work with ICBC to provide patients involved in MVAs the quality care, expertise and compassion to alleviate pain and suffering and start you on the path to recovery. When you visit our clinic, you will need the following:
- Your ICBC claim number
- Your BC Personal Health Number
- Doctor’s referral note, if requested
- ICBC Adjustor’s name and phone number
- Information about extended health benefits plans
- Your retained lawyer’s name, phone number and the name of the paralegal on file (if applicable)
- Our friendly and attentive staff at 3PK will assist you with questions regarding ICBC, direct billing and booking an initial appointment with us.
ICBC Treatments & Plans
The immediate seconds, hours or days after a motor vehicle accident (MVA) can be an extremely distressing experience where victims are suffering from whiplash, spinal and back injuries, acute or recurring pain, sprains, bone fractures, broken bones and many other conditions that deteriorate the quality of life. In many instances, injuries may not be immediately apparent or may not manifest themselves until a few days after the collision. As soon as you believe you sustained an injury as a result of an MVA, seek medical treatment right away to prevent further damage and debilitation to your health and well-being.
We at 3PK work closely with ICBC to develop specialized treatment programs to provide MVA victims with quality care, using innovative methods and technologies, to ensure optimal results for your recovery and rehabilitation. Our team of highly experienced and skilled practitioners have a patient-centered approach to achieving health and wellness objectives. Our experts work as a team to construct treatment plans suited to our patient’s specific needs and adapt and change course as their recovery progresses. Our treatments and services tailored for MVA injuries include physiotherapy, chiropractic care, kinesiology therapy (Active Rehabilitation), and massage therapy.
Physiotherapy is a form of physical therapy designed to help you restore, maintain and optimize function, strength, freedom of movement and your overall well-being. At 3PK, our Langley facility has all the modern equipment and amenities to support patients through their programs. Your one-on-one sessions with our physiotherapists includes education about the nature of MVA injuries and training for exercises to aid you in the healing process and eventually exercises to challenge you in the recovery stages.
Common injuries as a result of an MVA include acute or chronic pain in the neck and lower back. A chiropractor utilizes many treatment modalities to alleviate pain and restore your form and function, including spinal adjustments, joint alignments, and soft tissue mobilization. At 3PK, we also employ other methods in a patient’s care plan including activator techniques, laser therapy, kin-taping techniques and much more.
Kinesiology therapy (Active Rehabilitation) involves monitoring the muscles of your body in order to observe any imbalance that may be causing pain, disorders or ailments. Our team of kinesiologists at 3PK are registered members of the BC Association of Kinesiologists (BCAK) that will collaborate with you to develop a physical activity regimen of exercise and daily activities to educate you about proper body movements. We also work with you to help correct your posture and muscle imbalances to improve strength and fitness. Treatment methods may involve resistance training, balance training, range of motion training and health and wellness coaching.
Massage therapy is a non-invasive form of treatment for pain, stiffness of muscles and joints, and stress. At 3PK, our team of professional registered massage therapists are experienced with the practice of manipulating the soft tissues of the body (the muscles, connective tissues, tendons and ligaments), using varying degrees of pressure and motion to bring immediate relief and relaxation.
Massage therapy has been successfully used in the treatment of many injuries including those associated with MVAs:
- Back pain
- Sciatica
- CarpalTunnel
- Neck and Shoulder discomfort • TMJ (jaw pain)
- Stress
- Sports injuries
- Joint Pain
- Headaches
- Muscular Pain
- Repetitive strain injuries
- Whiplash
Snowmaggedon Part Deux?
The unexpected fallout from Snowmaggedon in November may not be the isolated event that we are all hoping for. With winter still months from being a distant memory, the possibility of Snowmaggedon Part Deux is greater than average. For those still suffering from the physical injuries sustained in an MVA during the first major snowfall of 2022, we urge you to seek medical care immediately to prevent further bodily damage. For those who may in the future experience the unthinkable, unexpected snow-related collision, please keep us in mind if you should ever need excellent, comprehensive and compassionate care. We at 3PK, nestled in central Langley, BC, work with ICBC to offer treatment programs specially designed to help MVA patients get back on the road to recuperation and full recovery.
