For Physicians

Resources, guidance, and programs to help physicians support recovery and a safe return to work.

As a physician, you play a vital role in helping people who are hurt at work recover safely and return to meaningful employment. Your care, advice, and leadership directly influence how quickly and confidently a person can heal, stay connected to work, and get back to their daily life.

Your role in recovery

When a person is hurt at work, your medical expertise guides their treatment and supports their recovery. You provide important clinical information that helps the worker, WCB, and other health care professionals understand their condition and what they can safely do.

Providing timely care—and sending regular WCB Form 8/10 reports—is essential to keeping everyone informed about your patient’s progress. These reports help WCB plan benefits, support safe recovery, and coordinate return-to-work efforts.

Each report should include:

• The patient’s description of the incident
• The patient’s current concerns and any related medical history or conditions
• Your diagnosis and any diagnostic suggestions
• The patient’s current work capabilities
• Relevant objective findings, including your observations about the patient’s ability to recover or return to work

This isn’t about rushing someone back to work. It’s about using your expertise to balance medical recovery with connection to work—because staying connected most often helps people recover more quickly.

Learn more about staying connected and returning to work.

Billing and payment

All physician payments are processed through MSI/Medavie Blue Cross and reimbursed by WCB.

Find information on WCB payment processes, claim submissions, and forms for physicians.

When your patient needs surgery

If your patient requires non-urgent surgical care—such as orthopedics, general surgery (including hernia), carpal tunnel, ear, plastic surgery, or a spinal consult—you can refer them through the Centralized Surgical Services Program. This program helps ensure timely, coordinated access to surgical specialists across Nova Scotia.

Learn more about the Centralized Surgical Services program.

Prescribing medication

When prescribing medication for a worker with an approved WCB claim, refer to the WCB Drug Formulary to confirm coverage and any special authorization requirements.

You’ll find forms, coverage guides, and reference documents on the Drug Formulary and Forms page.

Enhanced Physician Services

Enhanced Physician Services (EPS) is a network of physicians across Nova Scotia with additional training in occupational medicine. EPS supports both treating physicians and WCB teams. It helps in assessing complex cases and addressing biopsychosocial (holistic) factors that affect recovery and return to work.

If you’re interested in becoming part of the EPS network—or want to refer a patient for an assessment—contact WCB Health Services at 902-491-8356 or 1-800-870-3331, or email HealthServicesInbox@wcb.ns.ca.

WCB is actively recruiting physicians for this program, particularly in Cape Breton and rural or remote communities.

The return-to-work team

You’re a key member of the team who helps workers recover and return to work early and safely. As part of the team, you may work closely with some or all of the following:

• WCB Case Workers, who manage claims and coordinate benefits
• Medical Advisors, who provide clinical review and return-to-work guidance
• Permanent Impairment Examiners, who assess permanent loss of function using AMA guidelines and assign impairment ratings to help ensure workers receive appropriate benefits
• Employers, who arrange modified or transitional duties
• Workers, whose engagement and participation are central to success