Effective 05/02/2022, the Workers’ Compensation Board issued Medical Treatment Guidelines which contain maximum duration limits for behavioral and psychological intervention. The Treatment Guidelines require re-evaluation in cases of delayed recovery every 6 to 12 weeks. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is recommended for a 12 to 16 week course of weekly treatment.
In the Work-Related Depression and Depressive Disorders Guidelines, the maximum duration for psychological intervention is 3 to 6 months. For PTSD, the maximum duration is 12 months.
The Guidelines provide that the time to produce affect is 2 to 8 weeks. The optimum duration is 6 weeks to 3 months for cases involving depression; and 3 to 6 months for cases involving PTSD.
We have frequently observed mental health counseling and treatment beyond the maximum duration. The Guidelines now provide the basis to immediately limit treatment to the claims where there has been beneficial functional recovery.
