12 pre-approved sessions
ICBC pre-approves 12 registered massage therapy sessions. Your first assessment visit counts as one of the 12.
Registered massage therapy after a motor vehicle collision
ICBC Registered Massage Therapy in Burnaby and Vancouver
After a crash in British Columbia, ICBC pre-approves 12 registered massage therapy sessions in your first 12 weeks. You do not need a referral from a doctor, and you do not need ICBC to approve anything first. Phoenix Rehab direct-bills ICBC on eligible claims.
What ICBC covers for massage therapy
These are the rules ICBC applies to registered massage therapy specifically. They are not the same as the rules for physiotherapy or chiropractic care.
Counted from the day of the crash
The 12 weeks run from the collision date, not from the day your claim is opened.
No referral, no approval needed first
You do not need a referral from a family doctor or nurse practitioner, and you do not need ICBC's approval, to start. Bring your ICBC claim number and your Personal Health Number.
Billed to ICBC, not to you
Phoenix Rehab bills ICBC directly on eligible claims, so there is no payment at the visit.
The paperwork is handled here
Your registered massage therapist submits the treatment reporting ICBC requires, so you are not chasing forms during your recovery.
If you need care past the 12 sessions
Further massage therapy beyond the pre-approved sessions needs ICBC's approval. Your registered massage therapist can put the request in for you.
Phoenix Rehab does not decide whether an ICBC claim is accepted and does not provide claim-status support. Contact ICBC for claim decisions, status, benefits, or account access.
What people bring to massage therapy after a collision
You do not need a diagnosis before booking. These are concerns people often raise with our registered massage therapists after a crash.
- Neck and shoulder tension after whiplash
- Muscle guarding and tightness that limits movement
- Upper-back and mid-back stiffness
- Headaches that come with neck tension after the collision
- Reduced range of motion when turning the head
- Jaw and TMJ tension after impact
- Broken sleep during recovery
Our registered massage therapists
Every registered massage therapist at Phoenix Rehab can treat patients under an ICBC claim.
Cohen Parasiuk
Registered Massage Therapist
Injury Recovery & Pain Management, Myofascial & Trigger Point Techniques, Patient-Centered Massage Therapy, Mobility & Soft Tissue Rehabilitation, Joint Mobilizations
Languages · English
Anthony Artuso
Registered Massage Therapist
Sports Injuries, Postural Realignment, Musculoskeletal Imbalances, TMJ Disorders, Craniosacral Dysfunctions
Languages · English
Marc Fortin
Registered Massage Therapist
Fascia Work & Myofascial Release, Swedish Massage, Trigger Point Therapy, Joint Mobilization, Lymphatic Drainage
Languages · English, French
What a session may include
Your registered massage therapist chooses from these depending on your injuries and what you are comfortable with.
Myofascial releaseTrigger point therapySwedish massageJoint mobilizationLymphatic drainageCraniosacral techniques
ICBC massage therapy questions
How many massage therapy sessions does ICBC cover?
Twelve, in the first 12 weeks after your crash. Your first assessment visit is one of the twelve.
Do I need a referral to start?
No. You do not need a referral from a family doctor or nurse practitioner, and you do not need ICBC's approval first. You will need your ICBC claim number and your Personal Health Number.
Is there anything to pay at the visit?
Phoenix Rehab does not charge a user fee on eligible ICBC claims, so there is no payment at the visit.
Who files the ICBC treatment paperwork?
Your registered massage therapist submits the treatment reporting ICBC requires.
Can I have massage therapy and another discipline under the same claim?
Yes. ICBC pre-approves each treatment type separately and does not limit how you combine them. You can have one session per practitioner type per day.
ICBC massage therapy and care resources
The claim steps, what to bring, and general billing all live on the main ICBC page. This page stays on registered massage therapy.