No. A-5/01
Property & Casualty
- Auto
(Originally issued as A-4/02)

Psychology, Speech-Language Pathologists and Transportation Expense Guidelines for Auto Insurance Accident Claimants

Professional Fee and Treatment Guidelines

The Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO) has issued the Professional Fee Guideline - Psychology (Fee Guideline); the Psychology Assessment and Treatment Guideline; and the Professional Fee Guideline - Speech-Language Pathologists (Fee Guideline). These guidelines are issued as a result of successful negotiations involving the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), the Ontario Psychological Association (OPA), and the Ontario Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists.

These guidelines set out agreed upon maximum hourly rates and present an improved coordinated approach by the parties to ensure the better management of the services provided to auto insurance claimants.

The maximum hourly rate set out for psychologists services will expire on December 31, 2001. The insurance industry and the OPA have agreed to review the issues or the impact of the Psychology Assessment and Treatment Guideline should either party request a review, 18 months after the publication of the guideline. It was also agreed that an automatic review will be made on or before December 31, 2003.

Transportation Expense Guidelines

These guidelines replace Guideline No. 6/96 as of March 31, 2001. The purpose of the Transportation Expense Guidelines is to provide a framework for insurers and insured persons to determine the circumstances under which expenses related to transportation of an insured person to and from treatment sessions must be paid by an insurer.

Publication and Authority.

These four guidelines were published in the March 31, 2001, edition of The Ontario Gazette.

The fee guidelines have been issued by the Superintendent of Financial Services who is authorized under Subsections 14(4), 15(6), 17(2) and 24(2) of the Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule - Accidents on After November 1, 1996 (SABS). They apply to expenses incurred on or after March 31, 2001.

The Psychology Assessment and Treatment Guideline has been issued by the Superintendent of Financial Services who is authorized under Section 268.3 of the Insurance Act to issue guidelines on the interpretation and operation of the SABS. The guideline applies to all accidents on or after March 31, 2001.

The Transportation Expense Guidelines have been issued by the Superintendent of Financial Services who is authorized by section 268.3 of the Insurance Act and pursuant to subsections 14(5), 15(11), and 24(3) of the SABS. They apply to transportation expenses incurred on or after March 31, 2001.

Distribution of Guidelines to ADR coordinators, claims and adjusting departments

The guidelines issued under the SABS and the Insurance Act are important information documents. FSCO, therefore, urges insurance companies to ensure that copies of the attached guidelines are provided to their claims and adjusting staff and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Co-ordinators. Insurers should note that these guidelines will be incorporated into the next Dispute Resolution Practice Code update.

Dina Palozzi
Chief Executive Officer and
Superintendent of Financial Services
April 6, 2001

Attachments (PDF):

1. Professional Fee Guidelines - Psychologists
2. Psychology Assessment and Treatment Guidelines
3. Professional Fee Guidelines - Speech-Language Pathologists
4. Transportation Expense Guidelines