Musculoskeletal program of care

The musculoskeletal program of care is a community-based health care program designed for early care of people with musculoskeletal injuries to help them recover and return to or stay at work. This program replaces our former low back, shoulder and musculoskeletal programs of care as well as the non-surgical fracture episode of care. It provides one harmonized program for both single and multiple musculoskeletal injuries.

As of May 1, 2023, health care providers must treat all people starting community-based treatment for musculoskeletal injuries using the musculoskeletal program of care.  

Key components of the program

• Mandatory first line of care for all suitable musculoskeletal injuries It is an eight-week program consisting of two four-week blocks.
• Block one is pre-approved for single zones of injury
• Recommended evidence-based interventions include education, pain and self-management strategies, activity modification, exercise therapy, manual therapy and adjunct therapeutic interventions or modalities.
• Outcome measures are required and are aligned to injury type.
• There are three reporting requirements:
  Musculoskeletal (MSK) program of care: Initial assessment report
  , 
  Musculoskeletal (MSK) program of care: Mid-point report
   and
  Musculoskeletal program of care: Care and outcomes summary report
  .
• A supplementary treatment block is available for people who are approved for additional treatment in the community.

Admission criteria

The musculoskeletal program of care is for people who:

• have a pending or allowed WSIB claim for a single zone of injury, or
• have an allowed WSIB claim for multiple zones of injury
• are within eight weeks from their date of workplace injury
• have an injury to
  • a muscle, tendon, ligament, fascia, intra-articular structure or any combination of these structures, causing mild to moderate damage (Grade I or Grade II) and/or
  • a bone, resulting in fracture(s) that did not require surgical intervention
• are at work or off work
• have no additional injuries that prevent participation in this program
• are not hospitalized

Requirements to deliver the program 

Regulated health professionals who have the scope of practice, knowledge and skill can deliver the musculoskeletal program of care. This includes the ability to deliver all interventions, either as a sole provider or as part of an interdisciplinary team. A diagnosis is required to guide the person’s treatment plan. Where the regulated health professional is not able to provide a diagnosis, they require a referral from a WSIB primary provider (i.e., a physician, physiotherapist, chiropractor or nurse practitioner).

Reporting 

Use our online services to submit reports online.

You will need to complete and submit: 

• Musculoskeletal (MSK) program of care: Initial assessment report
• Musculoskeletal (MSK) program of care: Mid-point report
• Musculoskeletal program of care: Care and outcomes summary report
• Musculoskeletal (MSK) program of care: Supplementary report
   (when additional treatment is approved)

Registration requirements

To register and deliver the musculoskeletal program of care, regulated health professionals must complete the following steps:

1. Review all program materials available on our website.
2. Review the
   Musculoskeletal (MSK) program of care training slides
   , if you did not already attend the live webinar when the program was launched.
3. Get an electronic billing number and a WSIB Provider ID number through TELUS Health, if you do not already have one.
4. Sign up for an online services login, if you do not already have one.           
5. Complete the musculoskeletal program of care registration form. 

Each regulated health professional delivering the musculoskeletal program of care must register; if you work in multiple clinics, you must register each location.

Musculoskeletal program of care provider directory 

Once you are registered to deliver the program, you will be listed on the musculoskeletal program of care provider directory.

To report changes to your listing in the musculoskeletal program of care directory, email programofcare@wsib.on.ca

Resources

• Musculoskeletal program of care reference guide
• Musculoskeletal program of care quick reference
• Musculoskeletal program of care fee schedule
• Musculoskeletal program of care billing tips
• FAQs
• Musculoskeletal (MSK) program of care training slides

Outcome measures:

• Neck Disability Index
• Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire (Version 2.1a)
• QuickDASH Outcome Measure
• Lower Extremity Functional Scale
• World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS) 2.0 – 12 item version
• Instructions for Scoring the WHODAS 2.0

Contact us

For general inquiries, call us at 1-800-387-0750.

To discuss program suitability and first treatment extensions, call the Clinical Expert Line at 1-866-716-1299.

• When calling the Clinical Expert Line, you may need to leave a voicemail. If you are calling about a treatment extension, please include:
  • A summary of provided care
  • Your patient’s response to treatment including range of motion, strength, changes in outcome measures and/or to their return-to-work status
  • Expected recovery and return-to-work outcomes

When returning your call, Clinical Experts can then give approval through voicemail or to those answering the phone.

To confirm entitlement for single or multiple zones of injury, you can speak with our Customer Service Representatives, Clinical Experts, Health Care Payment Representatives or the Case Manager/Nurse Consultant assigned to the claim.

For questions about the musculoskeletal program of care or other community programs, email us at healthservices@wsib.on.ca.