Physical medicine specialists/anesthesiologists: Workers' Compensation Board

Request for Proposal #: WCB2023-051

The Workers' Compensation Board of Nova Scotia (WCBNS) periodically solicits interest among doctors with respect to providing consultant support and services to WCB clients and case workers.

The WCBNS practices a proactive model of service delivery that emphasizes the safe and timely return to work of the injured worker and independent living. The consultant plays a key role in evaluating WCB clients with chronic pain or suspected chronic pain needs including but not limited to diagnosis and treatment, opinions regarding return to work or participation in rehabilitation programs, monitoring treatment progress, providing expert opinions and recommendations with respect to causality (and other medical/legal matters), and communicating regularly with treatment professionals in the community regarding care and the value that work is healthy.

We are currently seeking interest from practicing physical medicine specialists or anesthesiologists who may be interested in providing chronic pain services including but not limited to:

1. Ongoing consultation and treatment when necessary;
2. Expert opinion regarding diagnosis, causality, and treatment on WCB clients with biopsychosocial issues/barriers;
3. Independent Medical Examinations (IME) on referred WCB clients;
4. Liaising with other interdisciplinary treating practitioners (e.g. family physicians, psychologists, etc.) regarding medical management of injured workers;
5. Consulting with WCB case workers to discuss claims management issues; and
6. Providing education to WCBNS staff/consultant team on an ad hoc basis on relevant topics, including input on Health Services Issues/Programs from a physiatry standpoint

This work will be provided to the WCBNS on a contracted, part-time basis and will be performed independently with the potential need for onsite support at a WCBNS office (Halifax/Sydney).  The current demand for off-site professional services is estimated to be 20-30 referred patients per month, which may fluctuate, based on practitioner location and operational need. Onsite work consisting of staff consultations, education, and input on Health Services Issues may occur on an ad hoc basis. Services are expected to begin April 15, 2024.

Mandatory Requirements: 

• Be recognized as a physical medicine specialist or anesthesiologist by the College of Physicians and Surgeons in the province in which they practice (required);
• Current registration & licensure in good standing with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia or the province in which they practice (proof of good standing required);
• Have a minimum of 5 years practical experience in the field of chronic pain related services (required); and
• Experience working with Windows based operating systems and Microsoft Productivity Suites (i.e. Word, Outlook etc.) and proficiency in typing to perform the work at WCBNS. Briefly explain how you meet this requirement (required).

Scored Requirements:

• Experience (training, certification, study, research, publication) in the field of Occupational Medicine would be considered an asset. Briefly explain how you meet this requirement (scored, 20pts);
• Experience in a medical/legal context including but not limited to report writing and/or expert witness testimony (scored, 10pts);
• Ability to schedule referred workers within 60-day time frames for consult/IME. Briefly explain how you meet this requirement (scored, 20 pts); and
• Ability to produce (typed) quality reports independently and a 7 calendar day timeline from request of the WCB or from the date of service. Status reports are mandatory after each visit or meeting with a WCB client (scored, 10pts); and
• Identification of your acceptable fee for service to perform this work (NOTE: Flat fee for service based on MSI rates or hourly rates is requested. If using an hourly rate please identify a maximum ceiling for consultation, follow-up visits, and IME). Please note that for consults and follow-up visits, reports are included in the service fee and will not be billed separately (scored, 40 pts).

Applicants may be interviewed as part of this process at the sole discretion of the WCB.

Any applicant must submit their proposal in writing clearly outlining how they meet each of the requirements listed above and are asked to attach their Curriculum Vitae to their proposal. Applicants will have the requirements scored and those scoring 80 and above will proceed to an interview if all requirements are met.

Proposals must be submitted by email. The subject line of the email must be “Chronic Pain Services Proposal WCB2023-051”. The deadline for this Request for Proposal is Feb. 15, 2024 at 4pm AST.

The WCBNS is not bound to accept any proposal of those submitted. Successful proponents must enter into the WCB’s standard written contract for this service.

Please submit your proposal via email (letter and CV included) to: 

Cody Smith,
Health Services Portfolio Manager
Telephone: 902-491-8356
Email: cody.smith@wcb.ns.ca

General inquiries regarding this posting may be directed to: