Breadcrumb
- Home /
- Health Service Provider Directory /
- Work-Connected Recovery
Breadcrumb
- Home /
- Health Service Provider Directory /
- Work-Connected Recovery
Work-Connected Recovery
Today, people who have a physical or psychological injury at work get care from over 500 different health providers – physiotherapists, chiropractors, psychologists, occupational therapists, and others. Find a provider in the current list of service providers.
New in 2026: Work-Connected Recovery Program
Starting in 2026, WCB is establishing a new network for providers to deliver care quickly and more consistently to people with workplace physical and psychological injuries. Administered by Lifemark, all current providers are invited to apply to join the network. This change takes place in January 2026.
What workers can expect
Your care and recovery matter. Most workers will recover and return to work before we launch the new provider network in January 2026. If your care continues into 2026, we’ll work with you to make sure you continue to receive care that supports your recovery, ideally with your existing provider who has joined our network. Learn more about the Worker Experience in 2026.
Most people return to work within 90 days, especially for common injuries like sprains and strains. If you need to continue care into 2026, we’ll work with you to make sure you get the care you need - ideally with your current provider who joins our network. We are encouraging all providers to apply to join the new provider network.
Providers will be in each community, making care closer to home. Virtual care will also be available.
The priority is connecting you to the right care, quickly, so you can recover. The new network will consider details like your injury, location, and provider availability to connect you with a provider quickly.
What providers can expect
There is no impact to the current system until January 2026.
WCB is establishing a province-wide provider network to deliver care to workers in 2026, administered by Lifemark. We encourage all current providers to apply to join. Joining the network means one point of contact for referrals, streamlined billing, standardized processes, standardized fee structure, and central support for admin and tech. Learn more about the process to join the network in 2026.
Lifemark has been selected to lead the new provider network. Visit their webpage to learn more about how to join.
There will be a transition plan for providers who do not join the network. We encourage you to explore the opportunity and connect with the Lifemark team to ask questions and learn more about what’s involved.
Being a provider on the network means:
- streamlined billing
- one point of contact for referrals
- standardized processes, procedures, and reporting
- central support for administration and technology
- equal compensation under a single, standard fee structure
No. Starting in 2026, only providers who are part of the network will be able to treat people injured at work through the workers’ compensation system.
What employers can expect
Starting in 2026, the new network will mean one point of contact, standardized processes and reporting, and workers staying connected to work during recovery. If your organization works with a current provider, encourage them to apply to join the provider network.
Yes, if they join the provider network. We are encouraging providers to apply to join.
Providers will be in each community, making care closer to home. Virtual care will also be available.
Getting your workers back sooner is the biggest win. But over time, this change will also help reduce employer premiums and improve worker benefits, which is important when employers face some of the highest premiums in the country.
Learn more about the program:
- Infographic
- Just the Facts
- Starting in 2026: The Worker Experience
- What to Expect: Joining the Provider Network
Learn about what led us here:
- Backgrounder: Road to Work-Connected Recovery
- Work-Connected Recovery: Rethinking Getting Better
- Review of the Nova Scotia Workers’ Compensation System
- WCB’s response to the Review of the Nova Scotia Workers’ Compensation System
If you have a question, please contact WCR@wcb.ns.ca or directly with a member of the WCB team (case worker, business partner).