Policy Update 3-22

• Expenses for attendance at appeal hearings #21.10.40: Amended to reflect an increase in the travel allowance. Meal allowance remains unchanged.
• Noise-induced hearing loss #44.20.50.20: Revised by Board Order 08/22 on April 20, 2022. The policy revision clarifies that decisions on funding for medical devices and appliances, such as hearing aids, are based on policies 44.120.10, Medical Aid, and 44.120.10.01, Medical Aid. The effective date of the revised policy remained unchanged. The policy approved by Board Order 19/13 was repealed by Board Order 08/22 on April 20, 2022 and removed from the Policy Manual.
• Adjudication of occupational disease claims #44.20: Policy was revised by Board Order No. 09/22 on April 20, 2022 effective for all accidents on or after January 1, 2022. Changes to the policy include outlining the key principles that guide the adjudication of occupational disease claims; identifying the two separate approaches to adjudicating occupational disease claims; describing how the occupational disease presumption works; specifying the evidence that is gathered in making decisions on these claims; and determining the timing of impairment ratings for occupational disease claims. The name of the policy was changed to Adjudication of Occupational Disease Claims. Policy 44.20, Disease/General, was archived and applies to accidents from January 1, 1992 to December 31, 2021 and any reconsiderations and appeals on these claims.

If you have any questions regarding your Policy and Procedures Manual, please email policy@wcb.mb.ca