Features Insurance Management
WorkSafeBC’s policy amendments on soft tissue disorders claims

The amendments pertain to policies under the Rehabilitation Services and
Claims Manual, Volume 11, the Occupational Disease Recognition
Regulation and Schedule B of the Workers’ Compensation Act.

The amendments generally aim to consolidate and clarify guidance on adjudication of ASTD claims, including:

•    Clarifying and updating medical terminology;
•    Updating the general risk factors for adjudicating all ASTD claims; and
•    Having all the general guidance for adjudicating ASTD claims moved into an introductory policy.

On
November 20, 2014, the Board of Directors (BOD) approved amendments to
policies relating to activity-related soft tissue disorders (ASTDs) in
the Rehabilitation Services & Claims Manual, Volume II, and
corresponding changes to the Occupational Disease Recognition Regulation
and Schedule B of the Workers Compensation Act.

The amendments are to consolidate and clarify guidance on adjudication of ASTD claims generally, including:

The
BOD approved these amendments after carefully considering feedback from
stakeholders. The amendments come into effect on March 1, 2015, and
apply to all decisions made on or after March 1, 2015.

You may
view the complete resolution here (PDF 380kb).

For further information on this issue, please contact Louise Kim at 604.276.5160.