If you’re recovering from a workplace injury or illness, you may need devices, treatments, or other supports. This page summarizes WCB’s official position on many commonly requested services so you can understand what may be covered, what usually isn’t, and why.

Coverage decisions follow the WCB Policy Manual (PDF), including policies 2.3.1R (Provision of Health Care Services) and 2.3.5 (Medical Aid: General Principles).

When deciding if WCB will pay for something, these factors are considered:

• Whether the treatment fits the injury
• Clinical evidence and best medical practice
• Whether it represents good value
• Whether it is provided by a WCB-approved doctor, physiotherapist, chiropractor, or clinic

If you have questions, email healthservices@wcb.ns.ca or speak with your case worker.

Coverage by category (A–Z)

Acupuncture

Approved clinics

Bedding systems

Braces and supports

Child care

Cold therapy units

Dental work statement

Gym memberships

Hearing aids – preventative maintenance

Home traction devices

Hospital physiotherapy

IV lidocaine

Lost or stolen healthcare goods

Massage therapy

Miscellaneous healthcare items

Missed appointments

Neuro-optometry

OBUS Form

Orthotics and footwear

Osteopaths

Platelet rich therapies

Reimbursing private insurance plans

Snow removal and yard work

TENS for chronic low back pain

Travel payment

Vestibular rehabilitation

Viscosupplementation

Walk-in tubs

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is only covered if it is provided by, or under the direct supervision of a WCB-approved physiotherapist, chiropractor, or doctor. Reimbursement is made at the usual office-visit rate.

Approved clinics

You can receive care at any WCB-approved physiotherapy or chiropractic clinic within a reasonable distance of your home or workplace.

Bedding systems

Standard bedding systems are not covered because there is no medical evidence to support their use in treating injuries or sleep-related conditions.

Specialized bedding systems (to treat things like pressure ulcers or intra-abdominal pressure) may be considered when recommended by a service provider for a specific medical need.

Braces and supports

Physiotherapists, chiropractors, or doctors may prescribe braces or supports when appropriate.

Braces WCB generally approves:

Braces WCB generally does not approve:

Child care

WCB does not generally pay for child-care costs. These requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Cold therapy units

Cold therapy can help after an injury or surgery, but there is no evidence showing that cold-therapy units work better than standard ice packs. WCB may cover cost-effective alternatives, such as cold packs.

Dental work

You must ask your dentist to submit a treatment estimate (predetermination) to WCB before booking dental work for a covered injury.

Gym memberships

WCB does not pay for gym memberships. WCB-approved clinics provide home-exercise programs if needed as part of treatment. Workers are expected to follow these programs.

Hearing-aids preventative maintenance

WCB covers one annual preventative-maintenance appointment for hearing aids. Additional routine servicing is not covered. Repairs may be covered once the manufacturer’s warranty expires.

Home traction devices

These devices are not covered because the risks outweigh potential benefits. There are safety and liability concerns if a device is over-used.

Requests for pulley systems must be reviewed and supported by a WCB Physiotherapy Consultant.

Hospital physiotherapy

Treatment at hospital outpatient physiotherapy clinics is not covered because these clinics are not under contract with WCB.

IV lidocaine

IV lidocaine is not covered due to lack of evidence supporting its safety or effectiveness for chronic or neuropathic pain.

Lost or stolen health-care goods

WCB does not generally cover lost or stolen devices or health-care items.

Massage therapy

Massage therapy may be covered when the treatment is provided under the direct supervision of a WCB-approved physiotherapist, chiropractor, or doctor.

Miscellaneous health-care items

Items such as magic bags, hot-water bottles, hand-exercise balls, therabands, stability balls, and water pillows are not covered. These are not specific to injury treatment and are considered items that are easy to get on your own.

Missed appointments

WCB generally does not pay for missed appointments. Service providers must inform workers of cancellation policies, and you are responsible for following them.

Neuro-optometry

Neuro-optometry referrals, vision therapy, and specialty eyewear for mild traumatic brain injury or concussion are not covered.

Review the neuro-optometry position statement (PDF) for details.

Obus Form

WCB may cover an OBUS Form when it is prescribed as part of a treatment plan.

Orthotics and footwear

WCB covers orthotics for:

• Leg-length discrepancy of 2 cm or more
• Ankle or foot injuries.

Orthotics for knee injuries, osteoarthritis, or back pain, are not covered because evidence does not support effectiveness.

Footwear is not covered because orthotics can be used in regular shoes.

Osteopaths

Osteopaths (Doctors of Osteopathy) are not licensed or regulated in Nova Scotia. WCB only covers osteopathic treatment when the practitioner is directly supervised by a WCB-approved doctor, chiropractor, or physiotherapist.

Platelet rich therapies (PRT)

PRP and other platelet rich therapies are considered investigational and medically unnecessary, so they are not covered.

View the PRT position statement (PDF) for details.

Reimbursing private insurance plans

WCB only reimburses private insurance plans when ordered by the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Tribunal (WCAT). Reimbursement is limited to what the worker was entitled to under the Workers’ Compensation Act.

Snow removal and yard work

WCB does not pay for snow removal or yard work. These services are not considered medical aid, personal care, or vocational rehabilitation under WCB policy.

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) for chronic low-back pain

Evidence does not support the use of TENS for chronic low-back pain, so it is not covered.

View the TENS position statement (PDF) for details.

Travel payment

WCB does not pay for travel to pick up prescriptions or for travel to work during a return-to-work program. These are not considered active medical treatment travel.

Vestibular rehabilitation

For compensable concussions, WCB may cover up to 2 hours of one-on-one vestibular-rehabilitation treatment. Case-worker pre-approval is required.

Viscosupplementation

Viscosupplementation (hyaluronic-acid injections) for the shoulder, hip, knees, or ankles is not covered.

View the viscosupplementation position statement (PDF) for details.

Walk-in tubs

Walk-in tubs are not generally covered because they are not cost-effective. A tub cut-out or other lower-cost option may be considered.

Have questions?

If you’re unsure whether something is covered, email healthservices@wcb.ns.ca or contact your case worker. They can explain what applies to your situation and whether you need pre-approval.