Policy:

The WCB provides or pays for any reasonable and necessary medical aid to treat injuries or alleviate the effects of injuries resulting from compensable accidents.

In providing medical aid the WCB's objectives are

• to promote safe and early recovery and return to work,
• to alleviate the effects of workplace injury or illness by facilitating the timely and safe delivery of appropriate, quality and cost-effective care and treatment, and
• making best use of current, generally accepted medical knowledge.

The WCB has the authority to decide the nature, sufficiency and cost of health care, bearing in mind individual needs and system well-being.

All medical aid authorized by the WCB is provided without charge to the worker.  Neither the WCB nor the worker will reimburse service providers for "extra or balance billing" for the treatment of a compensable injury or condition.

This policy is effective September 24, 2002, unless noted otherwise.  Any exceptions are noted within the specified policy section(s).

Interpretation

1.0 Medical Aid

Section 80 of the Act gives the WCB the authority to determine what medical aid is necessary and the appropriate payment for that aid.  This authority extends to medical aid outside the province as well as within.

Medical aid is defined in Section 1(1)(p) of the Act and includes medical and other services provided by a person licensed to practice the healing arts in Alberta, nursing, hospitalization, drugs, medical dressings, x-ray treatment, special treatment (e.g., chiropractic, physical therapy, etc.), appliances, apparatuses, transportation (e.g., inter-hospital transfers), and any other matters and things the WCB authorizes or provides.

2.0 Service Providers

The term "service providers" includes health care providers as well as suppliers of medication, appliances, or any other medical supplies or equipment.

The term "health care providers" includes physicians as defined in the Act (see Part II, Application 1, Question 1), as well as hospitals and other treatment facilities.

When providing medical assistance on behalf of the WCB, health care providers must confine treatment to those parts of the body specified by licensing.

Please see Part II for additional information on the following subjects:

Application

1. General
2. Medical Aid Accounts
3. Hospitals or Other Treatment Agencies
4. Prescribed Opioid Analgesics (Narcotics)