Treatment benefits should connect the proposed care to recovery and daily function.

Medical benefits can address reasonable and necessary treatment, medication, assistive devices and related services. Rehabilitation benefits focus on reducing disability and supporting reintegration into family, society and the labour market. Attendant-care benefits address reasonable and necessary personal assistance, subject to the regulation.1

For policies entered into or renewed from July 1, 2026, these three benefit categories remain mandatory while other accident benefits are optional.2

The current OCF-18 is the approved Treatment and Assessment Plan used to request many goods and services.3 It should align with the medical history, functional limits, proposed intervention, duration and expected outcome.

Attendant-care entitlement is assessed under the SABS, commonly using the prescribed Assessment of Attendant Care Needs. The regulation addresses how the amount is calculated, benefit limits and when an expense is considered incurred.1

The evidence should describe the actual help required with personal care, safety and routine—not simply state that the person is injured.

A denial may raise medical necessity, causation, the Minor Injury Guideline, a policy limit, missing information or an insurer examination. Keep the explanation of benefits and compare it with the plan and supporting records.

Accident-benefit disputes are generally brought to the Licence Appeal Tribunal’s Automobile Accident Benefits Service.4

General information explains the framework. Legal advice should connect that framework to the event, the people and insurers involved, the available records and the deadlines in the individual claim.

• Identify who may be responsible and which policies or benefits may respond.
• Build the medical, functional, financial and event evidence around disputed issues.
• Protect notices and deadlines and explain the available next steps.

See what to ask an Ottawa personal injury lawyer →