WSIB Physiotherapy: A Plain-English Guide for Injured Workers in Ontario

If you've been hurt at work in Ontario, you can usually start physiotherapy right away, and an approved WSIB claim is covered at 100% with nothing out of your pocket. WSIB pays the physiotherapy provider directly, so you can focus on recovering instead of on bills. Here's how the process works, step by step.

What should I do first after a workplace injury?

Start with your health and safety. Get first aid or medical care if you need it, and tell your employer about the injury as soon as you can, even if it seems minor at first.

A few early steps that make everything smoother later:

• Report the injury to your supervisor or employer and ask that it be documented.
• See a health professional if your symptoms need attention.
• Write down what happened, when, and how, while it's fresh.
• Keep track of any claim number you're given.

You don't have to have everything figured out before you begin. Physiotherapy is direct-access in Ontario, which means you don't need a doctor's referral to start for most musculoskeletal (muscle, joint and soft-tissue) injuries.

Do I need a claim number to start?

A WSIB claim number helps your provider bill WSIB directly, but not having one yet doesn't have to stop you. If you don't have a claim number, you can start a claim with WSIB, and we can help point you in the right direction.

Once your claim is registered, WSIB assigns a number that ties your treatment, your employer's report and your medical information together.

Who files Forms 6, 7 and 8?

The WSIB claim process uses three main forms, and different people are responsible for each one:

• Form 6 (Worker's Report of Injury/Disease): You, the worker, file this to tell WSIB what happened.
• Form 7 (Employer's Report of Injury/Disease): Your employer files this to report the injury from their side.
• Form 8 (Health Professional's Report): Your physiotherapist or other treating health professional completes this to document your condition and treatment.

You're mainly responsible for Form 6. Your employer handles Form 7, and your clinician takes care of Form 8. Learn more about how coverage works on our WSIB and auto page.

How much does WSIB physiotherapy cost me?

For an approved claim, the answer is straightforward: $0 to you. WSIB covers approved treatment at 100% and pays the provider directly, so there's no upfront cost and no reimbursement paperwork for you to chase.

Treatment for many workplace injuries runs under a WSIB Program of Care, a structured plan that often covers a set period (commonly up to around eight weeks). If you need more time, a Program of Care can be extended based on your progress and clinical need.

How does virtual physiotherapy fit with a WSIB claim?

Virtual physiotherapy is real physiotherapy, delivered by a registered physiotherapist over secure video. For many workplace injuries, a lot of effective care is about assessment, guided movement, education, and a progressive exercise plan you can do safely at home, all of which translate well to video.

Virtual care can be especially helpful if you:

• Live far from a clinic or in a rural part of Ontario.
• Have trouble travelling because of your injury, pain or fatigue.
• Are juggling work, family or a modified schedule and need flexibility.
• Simply prefer recovering from home.

Our physiotherapists are registered with the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario, and virtual care meets the same College standards as in-person treatment while following Ontario's health privacy law (PHIPA). You can read more about our approach on our physiotherapy services page or see how it works.

What should I have ready for my first virtual visit?

A little preparation helps your first appointment go smoothly. If you have these on hand, great; if not, we can still get started.

• Your WSIB claim number, if you have one.
• Basic details about your injury: what happened, the date, and which body part is affected.
• The name of your employer and, if you know it, your case manager's contact.
• A list of any other health conditions or medications that might be relevant.
• A quiet space, a device with a camera, and enough room to move a little for the assessment.

It also helps to wear comfortable clothing you can move in, and to have any relevant reports or imaging results nearby in case they come up.

Where can I get help understanding my coverage?

Coverage questions are common, and you don't have to sort them out alone. If you're unsure whether your situation qualifies, whether a referral is needed, or how billing works, we're happy to walk you through it in plain language. You can also review our general insurance information for context on the different ways care can be covered.

This article is general information for injured workers in Ontario and isn't individual clinical or legal advice; your own plan depends on your injury and your claim.

If you're ready to begin, get started and we'll help you take the first step toward recovery.