As a WCB-Alberta contracted provider, it's important to be aware of your responsibilities under your contract and the Workers’ Compensation Act (the Act) when providing services to an injured worker. Failure to comply with these responsibilities may impact the status of your contract or be an offence under the Act.
Contracted provider responsibilities
WCB-Alberta as referral source
We encourage employers to take an active role in helping their injured workers return to work. Many employers access private disability management companies to help implement modified work programs at their workplace. You maybe contacted by an employer/disability management company and asked to provide direct services to injured workers. However, under your contract, you have agreed to accept referrals only from a designated WCB-Alberta representative. Employers and disability management companies are not designated WCB-Alberta representatives.
Conflict of interest notification
Under your contract, you have agreed to provide medical services only for an employer/employer representative with WCB-Alberta’s written consent.
Summary of Alberta provider responsibilities under the Act
Duty to report (Act sections 32, 33, 34)
Under the Act, Alberta employers and workers have a responsibility to notify WCB-Alberta of workplace accidents when the injury disables (or is likely to disable) the worker beyond the day of accident. Health care providers have a responsibility to forward reporting about these accidents to WCB-Alberta.
WCB-Alberta as first payer (Act sections 78, 80, 85, 86)
Health care providers in Alberta have a responsibility to provide WCB-Alberta with invoices for all medical services provided for a work-related injury. No part of the cost of any approved medical service should be billed to the worker or employer.
WCB-Alberta as decision maker (Act sections 17, 18, 80)
WCB-Alberta has exclusive authority over all matters relating to worker’s compensation, including the authority to:
- determine a worker’s eligibility for compensation benefits;
- determine the necessity, character and sufficiency of, and the amount payable in respect of, any medical aid provided to the worker; and
- investigate any matter concerning due administration of the Act.
If you have any questions about contract/legislative responsibilities, please contact your contract manager at 780-498-3219 or hcs@wcb.ab.ca.
