The government in Ontario has made changes that will move the dispute resolution process over accident benefits to a new administrative body.
Further changes have now been announced, which includes changes to the forms that car accident victims and their personal injury lawyers must file in order to dispute denials by the insurance companies.
These new car accident insurance forms are to be used after June 1, 2105.
The following forms have been changed:
- Application for Accident Benefits (OCF-1),
- Employer’s Confirmation Form (OCF-2),
- Disability Certificate (OCF-3),
- Treatment and Assessment Plan (OCF-18),
- Auto Insurance Standard Invoice (OCF-21),
- Treatment Confirmation Form (OCF-23), and
- Minor Injury Treatment Discharge Report (OCF-24)
Some of the changes include:
- Deleted Pre-Approved Framework (PAF) references;
- Added claimant confirmation of direct payment to licensed service providers where applicable;
- Addresses the new “essential” test for other medical and rehabilitation goods and services;
- Amendments to the “Warning – Offences” language to reflect current federal government legislation;
- Amended consent language for consistency.
The Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO) expects to release the revised Application for Determination of Catastrophic Impairment (OCF-19), Standard Benefit Statement, and Settlement Disclosure Notice, in February, 2016.
The forms can be found at this link: https://www.fsco.gov.on.ca/en/auto/autobulletins/2016/Pages/a-04-16.aspx