One Month Until Launch: Delivering Faster, More Consistent Recovery (Dec. 4/25)

With the Work-Connected Recovery Program (WCR) launching on January 2, we’re in the final phase of delivering a faster, more coordinated, and consistent approach to how Nova Scotians safely recover and return to work.

Seeing the impact already

Over the past several months, we’ve been laying the groundwork through training, engagement, and assessment. This includes accepting a small number of new injury claims, allowing us to test processes, learn in real time, and make improvements before 2026.

And we’re seeing results. The time between injury to treatment has been cut in half since our soft launch began on October 14. Under the new program, workers will be contacted for their appointment within 24 hours and have an assessment within three days.

For common injuries like sprains and strains, most workers are now beginning recovery and return-to-work planning in under a week, with some workers receiving support the same day. Read more about our first referral here.  

Employers like Armour Transportation Systems, who have experienced the new program, share that they’re already benefiting from better reporting and communications:

“We recently received our first Functional Abilities Report from one of the partnered physiotherapy clinics within the Work-Connected Recovery Program ,” says Taylor Pond, Armour Transportation Systems. “The biggest improvement by far is the work connection status section, which is an intuitive and easy to follow addition   to my reports regarding employee claims through WCB. The manager had a better understanding of where the employee was in their return to work plan, and could gauge when to start making preparations for a potential return to work.”

As we move toward launch, we’ll continue to accept new claims, widening access to faster care and giving us more opportunities to refine the program before January. We’re also onboarding providers, inclusive of independent clinics and practices, who have signed on to the network, to begin accepting referrals.

Building our network of providers

A key part of the new program is building a coordinated network of providers   who continue to operate independently, while using common standards, tools, standards, and a shared referral system.

Early on, some people thought the program was limited to Lifemark providers or that joining the network meant becoming part of the Lifemark business.   Through education and outreach, providers now understand they remain independent while working within a network administered by Lifemark and led by WCB.

To date, more than 60 providers have signed on – and that number grows every day. Their commitment to continue caring for Nova Scotians ensures workers across the province will have access to consistent, high-quality care no matter where they live. We’ll share the full provider list publicly in January.

A common question is whether employers and workers will be able to use a preferred provider in 2026. The answer is yes. People can request a specific provider, as long as they’ve joined the network and can meet the three-day assessment standard.  

If you are a provider who hasn’t joined the network, submit an expression an interest.

Care for workers 

When the new program begins in January, many people with existing claims will stay with their current provider, as most providers have expressed interest in joining the network.

Physical claims: A smaller number of workers with physical claims may need to transition to a new provider if their provider decides not to join the network. If this occurs, we’ll work closely with the worker and provider to ensure an appropriate transition.

Psychological claims: Workers with psychological claims can continue working with existing providers. Their provider would still join the network in a capacity which allows them to continue treatment and not accept new WCB clients. This helps maintain stability and uninterrupted care for Nova Scotians with complex psychological injuries. We expect a small number of clients will be transitioned to in-network providers due to their current providers not wanting to join the network.

What we’ve accomplished so far

Throughout the fall, we’ve:

• Trained our staff to continue delivering coordinated, people-first service.
• Met with provider associations, unions, employers, and labour groups to gather feedback and refine the experience for workers and employers.
• Updated forms and processes based on the new program.
• Hosted an employer webinar with more than 400 participants, with more to come in early 2026.
• Supported Lifemark as they onboard and train providers on new forms, tools, and referral system.
• Developed a governance model to ensure fair, equitable referrals across the network – more details coming in early 2026.

We still have work ahead to prepare and share information, but we’re committed to delivering an excellent experience for workers, providers, and employers. Watch for our next update in early January.

To learn more about the program, visit: wcb.ns.ca/service-providers/WorkConnectedRecovery or contact WCR@wcb.ns.ca

We look forward to launching the program in January and continuing to build a recovery system that works better for everyone.