OUR DISABILITY MANAGEMENT SERVICES
Supporting employers through practical, compliant, and proactive disability management solutions.
General Claims
CLEAR GUIDANCE, PRACTICAL SUPPORT, AND BETTER OUTCOMES FOR YOUR WCB JOURNEY
Claims Support
Support
At Artis, we’re here to help you confidently navigate Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) requirements with clarity and care. Our consulting services are designed to support businesses of all sizes in understanding their responsibilities, managing claims effectively, and maintaining compliance without added stress or confusion.
We take a collaborative, people-first approach, working closely with you to reduce costs, streamline processes, and create healthier workplace outcomes. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to improve your existing practices, we’re here to make the path forward clearer and more manageable.
Employer Training
Training
Managing Workers’ Compensation claims can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. At Artis, we offer compassionate, knowledgeable support to help you navigate the claims process from start to finish. Whether it’s a first-time claim or a complex case, we’re here to guide you through each step with clarity and care.
We work closely with employers to ensure claims are handled accurately, fairly, and in a way that protects both the well-being of your team and the stability of your business. From documentation and communication to appeals and resolution, our goal is to ease the burden and help you feel confident in your next steps.
Appeals
Artis offers comprehensive support in evaluating the likelihood of success in appeal processes and providing expert representation.
When a Workers’ Compensation claim doesn’t go as expected, navigating the appeals process can be stressful and confusing. At Artis, we’re here to support you with experienced, compassionate guidance, helping you understand your options and build a clear, thoughtful case.
Whether you're facing an appealable claim, a cost-related dispute, or an issue with claim duration or classification, we’ll work alongside you to review the decision, gather supporting documentation, and represent your interests clearly and professionally. Our goal is to simplify the process, reduce the emotional and administrative burden, and improve your chances of a successful outcome. Our services include the preparation and presentation of reviews or appeals to all appeal bodies and ensuring adherence to all submission deadlines.
WCB Alberta Appeal Timeline
1
You Disagree with a Decision
The first step in the appeal process is to request a review of the decision by the original WCB decision-maker (Adjudicator or Case Manager). This requires submitting a formal letter explaining why the decision should be changed, based on WCB policies and the Workers’ Compensation Act.
2
Initial Response
WCB Customer Service typically responds within five (5) business days.
If the decision remains unchanged, a WCB Supervisor will conduct a second review.
The Supervisor may uphold, change, or further investigate the decision. A letter outlining the result will be sent to you.
3
Dispute Resolution Decision Review Body (DRDRB)
This is the first formal level of review within WCB. The DRDRB is an internal, independent review body. The DRDRB arranges the hearing in the format you request (in person, by teleconference/video conference, or documentary review). All interested parties are invited to participate.
Review: A Resolution Specialist reviews the appeal, considering the submissions and the relevant documents.
Decision Timeline: a written decision is typically provided within 40 calendar days.
4
Appeals Commission
If the DRDRB upholds the decision, you may continue the appeal to the next level: the Appeals Commission.
The Appeals Commission is an independent tribunal that reviews decisions made by the DRDRB.
Hearing Panel: Made up of at least two Commissioners who make the decision. One of the Commissioners on the panel is the Hearing Chair who leads the hearing.
Hearing Options: You may select in-person or written format.
Decision Timeline: A written decision is normally sent within six to eight weeks. This timeline may be longer or shorter depending on the complexity of the appeal.
Note: This is the final level of appeal available to workers and employers.
WCB Alberta's Appeal Process:
Poor Performance Surcharge Solutions
Facing a Poor Performance Surcharge (PPS) from the Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) can be financially and operationally overwhelming. Across Canada, most WCBs apply significant surcharges to mid-sized and large employers with consistently higher-than-average injury rates and claims costs. While details vary by province, penalties can range from 20% to 200% above base premiums and escalate each year performance does not improve.
These surcharges come with triggers and expectations that put added pressure on organizations. Hitting the poor performance threshold signals that an employer’s injury frequency or claim costs are far above peers, and immediate action and tailored plans are needed.
Take control of your WCB costs and turn poor performance around. Our all-in-one PPS consulting package gives you a clear path out of the surcharge trap and toward a safer, compliant, and cost-efficient operation. With our experienced team guiding you through every step – from gap analysis to implementation and ongoing support – you can confidently break free of punitive surcharges and focus on what you do best: running a successful business. Contact us today to start crafting a solution tailored to your company’s needs, and let’s work together to eliminate your Poor Performance Surcharge for good.
All-in-One Poor Performance Surcharge Solution for WCB Surcharges
A Holistic Solution to Poor Performance Surcharges
We understand that simply paying surcharges year after year is not sustainable – the real answer lies in addressing the root causes of those surcharges. Our team of WCB specialists and safety professionals work with you to turn things around. From pinpointing problems to implementing fixes, we provide end-to-end support tailored to complex WCB surcharge issues. Our professional, all-in-one approach addresses every dimension of the PPS problem, delivering tangible value to your organization.
Key components of our solution include:
Gap Analysis & Problem Identification:
This service provides a clear roadmap of what issues need to be fixed to prevent further surcharges. By understanding exactly where your organization is falling short, we can craft a targeted action plan.
Policy Review & Inclusion Policy Rewrites:
We help rewrite or update company policies to align with current WCB and OHS standards, closing loopholes that claims might be slipping through. Clear, up-to-date policies (posted and communicated to all staff) not only help prevent accidents but also demonstrate to regulators that your company is committed to improvement.
Staff and Management Training:
Even the best policies won’t work if your team isn’t properly trained. We provide comprehensive training programs for both employees and management.
WCB Claims & Appeal Support:
Our service provides hands-on support in managing claims from start to finish. We advise on proactive claim management steps (e.g. staying in contact with injured workers and their doctors). By challenging unwarranted or excessive claims costs, we help protect your experience record.
Cost Transfer & Cost Relief Applications:
Often, a portion of your high claim costs can be mitigated through specialized WCB programs – but employers may not be aware of these options. We bring deep expertise in cost relief and cost transfer strategies.
Disability Management & Return-to-Work Services:
A key factor in PPS is how effectively an employer manages injured workers’ recovery and return to work. Long claim durations and prolonged time off work drive costs up. Our solution includes building a robust disability management program for your company.
Audit and Gap Analysis
Understanding where your business stands with Workers’ Compensation compliance is the first step toward building a stronger, more resilient workplace. At Artis, our audit and gap analysis services are designed to provide you with a clear and practical picture of your current WCB accounts and disability management practices.
We take a collaborative and non-judgmental approach, reviewing your documentation, processes, and reporting to identify any areas of risk or missed opportunities. Whether you're preparing for a formal audit or simply want to ensure you're on the right track, we’ll equip you with actionable insights and a clear plan forward.
Training
A well-informed team is one of the most effective tools in managing Workers’ Compensation responsibilities. At Artis, we offer practical, engaging training designed to help employers, supervisors, and HR professionals understand their roles in WCB compliance, claims management, and workplace safety.
Our training sessions are tailored to your organization’s needs, whether you're looking to strengthen internal processes, reduce claim costs, or build confidence in handling WCB-related issues. We break down complex topics into accessible, real-world knowledge that your team can apply right away.
A well-designed disability management program does more than meet compliance requirements. It supports your team, reduces risk, and helps your organization thrive. Artis works with you to develop customized disability management programs that align with your values, your goals, and your day-to-day operations.
Whether you're starting from scratch or looking to strengthen an existing program, we’ll help you build practical, sustainable systems for claims management, return-to-work planning, reporting, and employee communication. Our collaborative approach ensures your program is not only effective but also easy to understand and implement across your team.
Rate Reviews
Your Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) industry classification directly impacts the premiums you pay, but is your business in the right rate group? Many companies overpay simply because they’re misclassified or haven’t reviewed their industry rate in years. Our Industry Rate Review service ensures your business is accurately categorized and paying fair, compliant rates. Our team will review the current classification of your business lines and provide reclassification support if an industry reclassification is warranted.
Additional Services
To further meet your needs, we offer a range of additional services, including Physical Demands Analysis (PDA) and the development of tailored Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) supported by robust statistical reporting.
We also provide detailed breakdowns and reporting of claim costs for a comprehensive financial overview, as well as on-demand WCB services to address emerging needs swiftly and effectively.
On-Demand Consultation
Expert Support-When You Need It Most
Whether you're managing a complex return-to-work case or preparing to qualify for your next big contract, our On-Demand Disability Management Consulting service gives you direct access to seasoned experts available on your schedule, in convenient 1-hour prepaid blocks.
Explore our wide selection of online courses and get yourself and your team up-to-date with the latest safety training and knowledge. Don't wait until it's too late, stay in the know by signing up for one of our many available courses.
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