Application 3 - Physician Report of Accident

1. What accidents must physicians report to the WCB and when?

Physicians, as defined in the Act, must report to the WCB within 2 days after the initial treatment of a worker if the physician considers that the injury will or is likely to disable the worker for more than the day of the accident or that the injury may cause complications that contribute to disablement in the future.

See Policy 04-06, Health Care for detailed information about reporting obligations.

2. Do physicians have other WCB reporting responsibilities?

Yes. In accordance with the Act, physicians must also:

• advise the WCB when the worker will be or was able to return to work not later than 3 days after the worker is able to do so
• provide all other reports requested by the WCB.

3. Do the reporting obligations of physicians change if they work for an employer?

No. All physicians have the same reporting obligations, as set out in the Workers' Compensation Act and this policy. These obligations do not change if:

• the physician works at an employer owned or operated health centre
• an employer pays the salary of the physician, or
• an employer pays any medical expenses associated with the accident that are authorized by the WCB.

The WCB may, however, require different types of physicians, e.g., medical doctors, chiropractors, physiotherapists, to use different reporting forms.

4. What are the consequences for a physician of late or incomplete reporting?

Physicians who do not meet their reporting requirements, may be subject to the following:

• delayed payment of fee for service
• reduced reporting fees
• report to the appropriate professional regulatory body, e.g., College of Physicians and Surgeons
• termination of their WCB contract.

Reporting fees will not be paid for reports that are incomplete or, in the opinion of the WCB, not legible. Penalties may be imposed if a report is, in the opinion of the WCB, incomplete or not legible.

5. When is this policy application effective?

This policy application (Application 3 - Physician Report of Accident) is effective May 1, 2003, except when noted otherwise in a specific policy section(s).