Motor Vehicle Accident Injury Treatment in Red Deer
Get the care you need after a collision
Even a low-speed motor vehicle accident can place significant stress on the muscles, joints and nervous system. Symptoms may begin immediately or develop gradually over the hours and days following the collision.
At Reform Health + Wellness, we provide evidence-informed assessment and treatment for people recovering from motor vehicle accident injuries in Red Deer. Our multidisciplinary team works together to help reduce pain, restore movement and support a safe return to work, exercise and everyday activities.
Common Motor Vehicle Accident Injuries
Motor vehicle accidents can affect each person differently. Common concerns include:
- Whiplash-associated disorders
- Neck and upper-back pain
- Lower-back pain
- Headaches
- Muscle strains and ligament sprains
- Shoulder, hip or knee pain
- Jaw discomfort
- Restricted movement and stiffness
- Numbness, tingling or nerve irritation
- Dizziness or balance concerns
- Difficulty returning to work, exercise or daily activities
Seek immediate medical attention following a collision when you experience severe or worsening pain, loss of consciousness, confusion, chest pain, difficulty breathing, weakness, loss of sensation, vision changes or other concerning symptoms.
Motor Vehicle Accident Treatment at Reform
Your treatment plan will be based on your injuries, current symptoms, functional limitations and recovery goals. Depending on your needs and insurance approval, your care may include:
Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic treatment may be used to address joint restrictions, muscle tension, spinal pain and movement limitations following a collision. Treatment may include manual therapy, joint mobilization or adjustment, soft-tissue techniques and exercise recommendations.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy may help restore strength, mobility, coordination and physical function. Treatment may include manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, movement retraining and a gradual return-to-activity program.
Massage Therapy
Massage therapy may be included when clinically appropriate and authorized by your insurer. Treatment may help address muscle tension, soreness and guarded movement following a collision.
Exercise Rehabilitation
A progressive rehabilitation program can help rebuild strength, mobility and confidence as your symptoms improve. Exercises are selected based on your individual abilities and adjusted throughout your recovery.
Our practitioners communicate when appropriate so that your treatment remains coordinated and focused on your recovery.
Motor Vehicle Accident Insurance in Alberta
Accident Benefits Are Available Regardless of Fault
Under Alberta’s current automobile insurance system, people injured in a motor vehicle accident may be entitled to accident benefits regardless of who caused the collision. The treatment process and available coverage depend on the nature of the injury and the terms of the applicable insurance policy.
Your accident-benefits claim is generally handled through the automobile insurer responsible for your Section B benefits. Contact your insurance company as soon as possible after the collision and advise them that injuries occurred. Alberta also requires an injury collision to be reported to the police.
Sprains, Strains and Whiplash Injuries
Many common collision injuries fall within Alberta’s Diagnostic and Treatment Protocols Regulation, often referred to as the DTPR.
The protocols may apply when a chiropractor, physician or physiotherapist diagnoses:
- A sprain
- A strain
- Whiplash-associated disorder Grade I
- Whiplash-associated disorder Grade II
When an eligible injury is treated under the protocols, the practitioner does not need to wait for the insurer’s prior approval before beginning the authorized treatment process, provided the claim has been reported and the patient chooses to follow the protocols. Alberta’s protocols provide up to 10 or 21 treatment visits, depending on the type and severity of the diagnosed injury.
Treatment under the protocols is time-sensitive. We recommend arranging an assessment as soon as reasonably possible following the collision.
Injuries Outside the Diagnostic and Treatment Protocols
Fractures, neurological injuries, more serious whiplash injuries, psychological concerns and other conditions may fall outside the standard protocols.
Under Alberta’s current system, eligible medical and rehabilitation expenses for more serious injuries may be covered up to $50,000 for two years following the collision, subject to the policy, professional limits and insurer approval. For injuries outside the protocols, extended health benefits may need to be used before the automobile insurer pays the remaining eligible expenses.
Your adjuster will determine what documentation, referrals or treatment-plan approval is required.
What to Do After a Motor Vehicle Accident
1. Report the Collision
Report the collision to the police when anyone has been injured. Keep the police file number for your records. Alberta also requires police reporting in several other circumstances, including when a vehicle is not drivable or the combined property damage meets the provincial reporting threshold.
2. Contact Your Automobile Insurer
Notify your insurance company as soon as possible, regardless of fault. Tell the insurer that you were injured and ask to open an accident-benefits claim.
Request the following information:
- Accident-benefits claim number
- Adjuster’s name
- Adjuster’s phone number and email address
- Insurance company billing information
- Any forms or instructions the insurer requires
3. Book an Injury Assessment
Alberta recommends seeing a primary healthcare practitioner—such as a chiropractor, physician or physiotherapist—as soon as possible for an assessment and treatment advice.
During your first appointment, your practitioner will:
- Review how the collision occurred
- Discuss your symptoms and medical history
- Examine the affected areas
- Identify injuries that require referral or further investigation
- Explain your diagnosis
- Recommend an appropriate treatment plan
- Complete the required practitioner insurance documentation
4. Complete the AB-1 Form
The AB-1 Notice of Loss and Proof of Claim Form is completed and signed by the injured person. Keep a copy and send the original signed form to the insurance company.
The AB-2 Treatment Plan Form is completed by the primary healthcare practitioner when required. Additional forms may be requested later to document progress or completion of care.
Our administrative team can help explain which clinic and insurance information is needed, but the patient remains responsible for completing and submitting the AB-1 form.
What to Bring to Your First Appointment
Please bring or provide:
- Your automobile insurance company
- Accident-benefits claim number
- Adjuster’s name and contact information
- Date of the collision
- Police report or file number
- Alberta Health Care card
- Extended health insurance information
- Relevant medical reports or imaging results
- A current medication list
- Information about work restrictions or modified duties
Do not delay necessary assessment because you are waiting for every document. Missing claim information can usually be added once your insurer provides it.
Direct Billing for MVA Treatment
When coverage has been confirmed, Reform may bill eligible motor vehicle accident treatment directly to the automobile insurer.
Direct billing depends on:
- The diagnosed injury
- Whether treatment falls within the Alberta protocols
- The insurer’s authorization
- Available policy benefits
- Required referrals or treatment plans
- Whether extended health coverage must be used first
Insurance payment cannot be guaranteed. Patients are responsible for charges that are declined, exceed available coverage or are not authorized by the insurer. Our team will explain any known patient responsibility before treatment whenever possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
You do not need a physician’s referral to book an assessment with a chiropractor or physiotherapist at Reform.
Certain services, including massage therapy, psychology or specialist care, may require a referral or authorization before the insurer will provide coverage. Requirements depend on your injuries and insurance claim.
Yes. Alberta accident benefits are available to eligible injured people regardless of fault. Fault may affect other portions of an insurance claim, but it does not automatically prevent access to accident benefits.
For eligible sprain, strain and Grade I or II whiplash injuries treated under Alberta’s protocols, up to 10 or 21 treatment visits may be available, depending on the diagnosis. Additional treatment may require an updated treatment plan and insurer approval.
For injuries outside the protocols, the number of approved visits depends on medical necessity, available benefits and the insurer’s decision.
For eligible injuries treated under the Diagnostic and Treatment Protocols, the automobile insurer can be billed for protocol treatment that is not covered by Alberta Health Care.
For other injuries, Alberta’s current rules may require eligible expenses to be submitted to your extended health benefits first. The automobile insurer may then consider expenses when no extended health coverage exists, the coverage has been exhausted or it does not cover the full eligible cost.
Some symptoms do not become noticeable immediately. Contact your insurer, explain when the symptoms began and arrange an assessment as soon as possible.
Your practitioner will document your history and clinical findings, but the insurer determines whether an expense is covered under the claim.
A coordinated treatment plan may involve more than one profession when clinically appropriate. However, treatment visits and insurance funding are not necessarily separate for each provider. Your practitioners and insurer will need to coordinate the plan to avoid duplication and exceeding available benefits.
Massage therapy may be covered when it is clinically appropriate and authorized under your claim. A referral, treatment plan or prior insurer approval may be required. Contact the clinic before booking so we can review the available claim information.
With your written authorization, we can provide appropriate clinical records, treatment plans, progress reports and invoices to your insurer or legal representative. Fees may apply for records or reports that are not included under the applicable insurance process.
Your practitioner will reassess your progress. When additional care is clinically indicated, an updated treatment plan may be submitted to the insurer. The insurer will decide whether further treatment is approved under your accident benefits.
Important Alberta Insurance Update
Alberta’s new Care-First automobile insurance system is scheduled to begin January 1, 2027. The new system will substantially change medical, rehabilitation and income-support benefits. Coverage and claim procedures may differ depending on the date of the collision and the insurance rules applicable to the claim.
Website Disclaimer
Insurance coverage varies by claim, policy, diagnosis and insurer. Information on this page is general information only and does not guarantee coverage, payment or treatment authorization. Patients should confirm their benefits and claim requirements with their insurance adjuster. This page does not provide legal advice.
