WCB Tentative Agreement
335 words / 2 min read
Doctors Manitoba has reached a tentative agreement with the Workers Compensation Board (WCB), benefiting both family physicians who monitor and treat workers’ recoveries, as well as surgeons and physicians who assist with surgery. Physicians are being asked for their feedback before the agreement is finalized.
WHY IT MATTERS: While the rates for most clinical services are set by the Manitoba Physician’s Manual, certain reporting and administration fees for WCB cases are negotiated separately. The last WCB agreement expired in 2021, with rates unchanged since then. The new five-year agreement improves rates and makes other changes that are important to physicians.
GENERAL RATE INCREASES: The tentative agreement includes increases each year, including:
- 2.0% effective Jan 1, 2022
- 2.5% effective Jan 1, 2023
- 2.5% effective Jan 1, 2024
- 3.0% effective Jan 1, 2025
- 3.0% effective Jan 1, 2026
Increases apply retroactively and payment would be expected shortly after ratification.
CONSULTATIONS: Where WCB requests an expedited consultation, they will pay $300 if the service occurs within 15 business days, or $250 if within 16 to 30 business days. This will be effective from the date the contract is finalized.
SURGICAL IMPROVEMENTS include:
- Creating an administration fee for expedited surgery, which will pay 3 times the rate in the Manitoba Physician’s Manual if the surgery is completed within 30 days from the date of the expedited surgery consultation. This cannot be combined with a non-expedited surgery benefit. This will be effective from the date the contract is finalized.
- Introducing a new administration fee for surgical assistants of $153.55, effective retroactively to January 1, 2024.
Reducing administrative burdens for physicians is a new addition in this tentative agreement, with WCB agreeing to work jointly with Doctors Manitoba to reduce these burdens wherever possible.
WHAT DO YOU THINK? Take our quick pulse check survey to help us understand what you think about the proposed agreement. This survey is open until Friday October 11 at noon. If you have any questions, contact our team at practiceadvice@doctorsmanitoba.ca.