History of changes to the Policies and Information Manual

Date of distribution: January 4, 2023

TRANSMITTAL SHEET No. 01 – 2023 January 4, 2023

WHAT'S CHANGED (Please read the policy documents for complete information).
Please note that policy changes since the last issue are indicated by shaded text or shading in the left margin.

  • Opioids – Policy 04-06, Part II, Application 4 and new Addendum B
    We updated our prescribed opioid analgesics (narcotics) policy to ensure it:
    • provides appropriate guidance for authorizing payment for opioid prescriptions,
    • outlines the phases/types of pain for which WCB may authorize payment for opioids, and
    • reflects current medical evidence, advice, and knowledge about the benefits and risks of opioids prescribed for acute and chronic pain management.
    The new Addendum B provides a list of the medical references that form the basis of the policy provisions. Policy 04-06 Part I was updated to reflect these changes.
  • Funding Policy – Policy 01-01, Part I, and Part II, Application 1
    Policy 01-01 has been updated to:
    • revise policy language to pre-2019 text related to eligibility of surplus distributions and a minimum 1% threshold for payment of surplus distributions, and
    • improve policy language from a grammatical and clarity of intent perspective.
  • 2023 annual reviews and updates:
    • 2023 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA)
      A number of policies were revised to reflect the 5.48% COLA effective January 1, 2023. This includes policies 04-01 – Addendum B, 04-04 – Addendum A, 04-07 – Addendum B, 04-08 – Addenda A and B, 04-10 – Addendum A, and Appendix F.
    • Burial, cremation, and memorial expenses - Policy 04-08, Addendum A
      The maximum allowable amount for burial, cremation and memorial expenses was reviewed using methodology approved by the Board of Directors. For 2023, the amount remains unchanged, and the January 1, 2020, rate still applies.
    • Maximum clothing allowances - Policy 04-07, Addendum A
      The clothing allowance amounts for all six categories were increased effective January 1, 2023, in accordance with the formula approved by the Board of Directors.
    • Allowance rates - Policy 04-02, Addendum A
      As a result of the annual review:
      • An increase of three cents was approved for the travel allowance, increasing it to 54 cents per kilometre.
      • An increase of $2.00 was approved, increasing the total meal allowance from $49.00 per day to $51.00 per day.
    • Maximum compensable earnings (MCE) - Policy 04-01, Addendum A
      MCE is set at $102,100 for 2023.
    • 2023 compensation tables (Appendix E)

Complete list of changed documents

Document Old New
01-01, Funding Policy Part I, Policy 01-01, Part I
(issue date January 4, 2023)
Part II, Application 1 Policy 01-01, Part II, Application 1
(issue date January 4, 2023)
04-01, Establishing Net Earnings Part II, Addendum A Policy 04-01, Part II, Addendum A
(issue date January 4, 2023)
Part II, Addendum B Policy 04-01, Part II, Addendum B
(issue date January 4, 2023)
04-02, Temporary Benefits Part II, Addendum A
 Policy 04-02, Part II, Addendum A
(issue date January 4, 2023)
04-04, Permanent Disability Part II, Addendum A Policy 04-04, Part II, Addendum A
(issue date January 4, 2023)
04-06, Health Care Part I Policy 04-06, Part I
(issue date January 4, 2023)
Part II, Application 4 Policy 04-06, Part II, Application 4
(issue date January 4, 2023)
Part II, Addendum B Policy 04-06, Part II, Addendum B
(issue date January 4, 2023)
04-07, Services for Workers with Severe Injuries Part II, Addendum A Policy 04-07, Part II, Addendum A
(issue date January 4, 2023)
Part II, Addendum B Policy 04-07, Part II, Addendum B
(issue date January 4, 2023)
04-08, Fatalities Part II, Addendum A Policy 04-08, Part II, Addendum A
(issue date January 4, 2023)
Part II, Addendum B Policy 04-08, Part II, Addendum B
(issue date January 4, 2023)
04-10, Other Home Services Part II, Addendum A
 Policy 04-10, Part II, Addendum A
(issue date January 4, 2023)
Appendix E, Compensation Tables Entire Document 2023 Compensation Tables:
For accidents on or after April 01, 2003
For accidents on or before March 31, 2003
(issue date January 4, 2023)
Appendix F, Minimum Permanent Disability Awards & Dependants’ Pensions, with Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA), Minimum Personal Coverage, Maximum Annual Assessable Earnings & Maximum Annual Compensable Earnings Entire Document Appendix F
(issue date January 4, 2023)

2023 Policy Transmittals