Work-Connected Recovery (WCR) is a new program from WCB Nova Scotia designed to connect providers across the province, delivering quicker care and better access for Nova Scotians injured at work. Launching in January 2026, this new model will mean more consistent care and better return-to-work outcomes for those with physical and psychological workplace injuries.
Lifemark has been selected to administer the program, while WCB Nova Scotia will continue to govern it. All providers of physical and psychological injury care in Nova Scotia are invited to join this new network.
Join the WCB Provider Network
At this time, we are welcoming service providers from across Nova Scotia to express their interest in joining the provider network. As a provider in the network, you’ll benefit from:
- Streamlined billing
- One point of contact for referrals
- Standardized processes, procedures, and reporting
- Central support for administration and technology
- Equal compensation under a single, standard fee structure
We look forward to working collaboratively with new and existing providers in the province to deliver faster, more consistent care, and ultimately help people recover and return to work.
If you are interested in joining the provider network, please click the button below to complete an expression of interest form. Submitting a form is not binding; it simply gives Lifemark permission to contact you with more information about the program and how to become a part of it. form.
Questions about joining the network? Contact: [email protected]
To learn more about WCB’s new Work-Connected Recovery Program
visit the WCB website or email [email protected]
FAQs
I would like to learn more about what it means to be an independent provider within the WCB network.
The WCB network brings together independent providers to help Nova Scotians recover and return to work faster. As a network provider, you will stay in control of your practice while working within a standardized and coordinated system designed to make care simpler for everyone. Please note: you must join the network in 2026 to continue caring for people injured in Nova Scotia under this program. As a WCR Network Provider, You Will:
- Remain an independent business owner, maintaining control over your practice.
- Receive discipline-specific fees, with 100% of payment going directly to you.
- Have the flexibility to accept or decline referrals based on your capacity.
- Provide care using the established Medical Disability Guidelines.
- Follow standardized reporting, invoicing, and payment processes set by WCB and administered by Lifemark.
What criteria is being used to evaluate prospective providers?
- Able to provide one or more services outlined in the Work-Connected Recovery Program
- Current WCB approved provider
- Proof of licensure for relevant clinician(s)
- Proof of Malpractice Insurance
- Providers are member(s) of their governing body and remain in good standing
- Provides care based on the Medical Disability Guidelines
How will fees work in the new model?
Every provider in the network will be compensated equally under a single, standard fee structure.
What happens after I submit an expression of interest?
Once received, your expression of interest will be reviewed by the Lifemark team. Prospective providers that meet the evaluation criteria will be contacted to review their information and discuss next steps. Click on the following visual that outlines the main phases in the provider journey.
Is there a deadline to apply?
There is no deadline to apply, however, interested providers are encouraged to complete the form by early Fall. Our team will prioritize the review of submissions based on the date they are received.
What if I’m interested and want to speak with someone directly?
If you have questions about the expression of interest process or submission form, please send an email to [email protected] and a member of our team will get in touch with you directly.
Which providers will be approved to treat within MSK Single Zone, MSK Multi-Zone and mTBI?
Assessments must be completed by a Physiotherapist or Chiropractor. The inclusion of other providers for treatment will be a clinic-level decision, based on the individual's treatment needs.
Does this clinical framework apply to non-sprain and sprain injuries?
There will be specific exclusion and inclusion criteria for the blocks, which are not solely based on sprain/strain versus non-sprain/strain classifications. If an injury is excluded from WCRS blocks, treatment will follow the Medical Disability Guidelines.
For MSK Single Zone, MSK Multi-Zone and mTBI will the block pricing remain the same regardless of whether one provider or multiple providers are involved (e.g., Occupational Therapy (OT) and Physiotherapy (PT))?
The block pricing does not change based on the number or type of clinicians involved. The inclusion of specific clinicians is a clinic-level decision. Occupational Therapy (OT) can be added as an adjunct therapy, billed separately from the block framework, with WCB approval.
For MSK Single Zone, MSK Multi-Zone and mTBI does the first 4-week block start at the Date of Injury (DOI) or when the worker is first assessed?
The first 4-week block begins at the time of the initial assessment.
For MSK Single Zone, MSK Multi-Zone and mTBI what is the typical number of sessions expected within each block? Does Lifemark provide specific instructions to its clinics regarding this?
The number of sessions will be a clinic-level decision, based on the individual's treatment needs.
Are providers compensated for conducting Functional Scans and preparing Physical Ability Reports?
Yes, these services are included in the block fee.
Will communication with WCB caseworkers occur through the ACMS?
Yes, the ACMS includes a secure messaging function that facilitates direct communication between clinicians and WCB caseworkers.
Is ACMS onboarding conducted per practitioner or per clinic?
Onboarding is managed at the clinic level. Your clinic will be registered in ACMS, and individual user profiles will be created for each clinician and administrator within your clinic. Both clinical and administrative training will be provided, and all clinical staff must complete the required clinical training before accepting referrals.
Is Lifemark always the first point of contact for referrals?
A worker or an employer may reach out to a provider directly. If the provider is part of the network and can schedule an appointment that meets the SLA, the appointment can be booked. In the scenario, the provider must still share the referral details with Lifemark as all referrals must be processed through Lifemark's central intake team.
Will Lifemark employ caseworkers, or will we continue to interact with WCB caseworkers?
Providers and clinicians will interact directly with WCB caseworkers. Lifemark will not employ its own caseworkers.
