Do I need to call my insurance before booking chiropractic care after a car accident in Alberta?

You should report the collision to your auto insurer as soon as it's safe — they'll issue a claim number. You don't need pre-approval to book chiropractic care; Alberta Section B benefits cover the first 90 days of DTPR-protocol treatment automatically.

How many chiropractic visits does Section B cover after a motor vehicle accident?

Under Alberta's Diagnostic and Treatment Protocols Regulation, WAD I and WAD II patients are covered for up to 21 treatment visits in the first 90 days post-collision. Most patients need fewer visits than the cap.

Can I see a chiropractor under Section B if I caused the accident?

Yes. Alberta Section B is a no-fault benefit. Chiropractic coverage applies regardless of who was at fault for the collision.

What if my whiplash injury is more serious than the protocol covers?

WAD III (neurological signs) and WAD IV (fracture or dislocation) injuries fall outside the protocol and require imaging, medical referral, and coordinated care. Dr. Slater triages all WAD grades at the initial assessment.

What if I still have symptoms after 90 days?

If you have not reached maximum medical recovery by day 90, your chiropractor files for a continuation of care with your insurer. Extensions are routinely approved when documentation shows continued progress.

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Service MVA · Section B

Motor vehicle accident care.

DTPR-compliant chiropractic assessment and treatment after a collision — for St. Albert and Edmonton drivers covered under Alberta Section B auto insurance. We handle the paperwork. You focus on getting better.

If you’ve been in a motor vehicle collision in Alberta, the first 90 days of chiropractic care are covered automatically under your Section B benefits — no insurance pre-approval required. Dr. Savannah Slater provides a Motor Vehicle Accident Initial Assessment that meets the documentation requirements of Alberta’s Diagnostic and Treatment Protocols Regulation (DTPR), then carries out the indicated treatment plan and bills your insurer directly. You don’t pay out of pocket for covered care.

What’s included in the MVA assessment

Detailed collision history — direction of impact, speed, restraint use, head position, immediate vs delayed symptoms, prior neck/back history
Whiplash-Associated Disorder (WAD) classification — Quebec Task Force grade I through IV, which determines treatment pathway under the DTPR
Physical examination — neurological screen, cervical and lumbar range of motion, orthopedic testing, palpation, postural and balance assessment
Red-flag screening — checking for symptoms that require imaging or specialist referral before any treatment
Treatment plan — number of visits, expected timeline, home self-care, return-to-activity guidance
Section B paperwork — completion of the AB-1 (Notice of Loss) coordination, AB-2 (Health Care Practitioner Report), and ongoing visit documentation submitted directly to your insurer

The Initial Assessment is $117. Under most Section B claims this is paid directly by your auto insurer, not by you.

How Alberta’s DTPR framework works

Alberta’s Diagnostic and Treatment Protocols Regulation (Alberta Regulation 122/2004) sets the rules for treating sprains, strains, and whiplash injuries from motor vehicle collisions. The framework is straightforward in principle:

Day 0–10: Initial assessment, WAD grading, treatment plan signed. No insurer approval needed.
Days 11–90: Up to 21 treatment visits under the protocol for WAD I or II injuries, billed direct to insurer at protocol rates. No pre-authorization required for protocol-covered care.
Day 90+: If you’re not at maximum recovery, your provider files for an extension and ongoing care continues under coordination with your adjuster.

Patients with WAD III (neurological signs) or WAD IV (fracture or dislocation) injuries fall outside the protocol and require coordinated care with imaging, medical, and sometimes legal involvement. Dr. Slater triages all four grades and refers appropriately when red flags are present.

What to bring to your first MVA visit

Auto insurance information — your insurer’s name, policy number, and claim number (call your broker right after the collision; you’ll get a claim number within a day or two)
Date and details of the collision — police report number if you have one
Any imaging or ER documentation — discharge papers, X-ray or CT results, ambulance run sheets if applicable
List of current symptoms — written down, since symptoms can wax and wane and we want a complete picture
Medications you’re taking — prescription and over-the-counter
Photo ID and Alberta Health card

Don’t have all of this? Come anyway. We can start the assessment with what you have and coordinate the paperwork as it comes through.

Why early chiropractic care matters after a collision

Research on whiplash recovery is clear on two things: most people recover well, and early conservative care produces better outcomes than rest alone. A 2019 Cochrane review of conservative interventions for whiplash found that active treatment — exercise, manual therapy, education — outperformed rest and soft collars across most outcome measures, especially for return to function (Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews).

The first 4–12 weeks after a collision are the window in which most recovery happens. Delayed care doesn’t mean you can’t get better — it just means the path is longer. The conservative approach is straightforward: confirm there’s nothing serious, restore movement gradually, build tolerance, and get you back to driving, working, sleeping, and exercising.

Both clinics handle MVA care

Dr. Slater treats MVA patients at both locations:

St. Albert — 71 Corriveau Avenue, Suite 120 (at Eden Health & Wellness). Phone 587-507-5283.
West Edmonton — 11634 142 Street NW, Suite 110 (at 4 Points Health & Wellness). Phone 780-705-5775.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to call my insurance before booking?

You should report the collision to your auto insurer as soon as it’s safe to do so — they’ll issue a claim number, which is what we use to bill. You don’t need approval before booking chiropractic care; Section B benefits are automatic.

How many visits will I need?

Under the DTPR, WAD I and WAD II patients are covered for up to 21 treatments in the first 90 days. Most patients need fewer than that. Your assessment will include a realistic estimate based on injury severity and how you respond to early treatment.

What if my injuries are more serious than whiplash?

If the exam shows neurological signs (WAD III) or imaging-positive injury (WAD IV), we refer to medical and imaging colleagues and coordinate the care plan. We don’t treat injuries outside our scope.

Can I still see a chiropractor if I’m at fault?

Yes. Section B in Alberta is a no-fault benefit — coverage applies regardless of who caused the collision.

What if the 90 days run out and I’m not better?

If you’re not at maximum recovery at day 90, your provider files for a continuation of care with your insurer. This is routine and usually approved when there’s evidence of continued progress.

Book your MVA assessment

If you’ve been in a collision recently, book online or call. Bring what you have — we’ll work through the rest together.

Book online →

Sources

Alberta Queen’s Printer. Diagnostic and Treatment Protocols Regulation, Alta Reg 122/2004 (with amendments). kings-printer.alberta.ca
Spitzer WO, Skovron ML, Salmi LR, et al. “Scientific monograph of the Quebec Task Force on Whiplash-Associated Disorders.” Spine 1995;20(8 Suppl):1S–73S.
Verhagen AP, Scholten-Peeters GG, van Wijngaarden S, et al. “Conservative treatments for whiplash.” Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2019. cochranelibrary.com
Government of Alberta. “Auto insurance reform — what’s covered after a collision.” alberta.ca/auto-insurance