The OASW Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Webinar, “Social Work, Auto Insurance & Advocacy”, brought together social workers from across Ontario to unpack one of the profession’s most persistent challenges: unfair and inconsistent compensation practices in the auto insurance sector. 

The session was led by Kim Doogan, Chair of OASW’s Auto Insurance Advisory Group, Barney Savage, Interim Director of Policy & Stakeholder Relations, Eden Dales, Deena Ginsberg and Mandy Robson, members of the MVA Subcommittee.

Discussion centred on the urgent need to ensure fair recognition and compensation for social workers whose clinical expertise is essential to the recovery of motor vehicle accident survivors.

“It’s a challenging topic," said Kim Doogan. “My hope in helping to organize this information was that we can present our perspective in a more unified front around this issue and understand the complexities of what we’re dealing with.”

Key discussion highlights

The discussion explored how Registered Social Workers (RSWs) (though recognized under the Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (SABS) as regulated health professionals) are frequently treated by insurers as “unregulated providers.” This misclassification allows insurers to pay substantially lower hourly rates, sometimes less than half the rate paid to other regulated providers for comparable services.

Kim Doogan shared insights from a recent appeal of her hourly rate before the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT), where she successfully demonstrated that case management for catastrophic injury survivors is a complex clinical function requiring specialized expertise. She drew on lessons from her case and others to help members understand how to better substantiate their rates and navigate insurer disputes.

Ongoing challenges in the MVA sector

Participants identified several systemic issues contributing to inequities in compensation and recognition:

• Misclassification: RSWs continue to be treated as unregulated providers despite their regulated status under provincial law.
• Outdated frameworks: The Professional Services Guideline (PSG), last updated in 2014, excludes social workers, giving insurers wide discretion to set rates.
• Inconsistent insurer practices: Rates and payment decisions vary widely, even within the same company, with little transparency or accountability.
• Administrative and financial strain: Preparing OCF-18 forms, appealing rate reductions, and engaging in LAT proceedings require substantial unpaid effort. • Power imbalance: Insurers often downplay social workers’ expertise, putting pressure on them to accept lower rates to maintain client care.

OASW’s advocacy and next steps

OASW reaffirmed its commitment to advancing fair compensation and professional recognition through:

• Policy and coalition advocacy: Collaborating with the Coalition of Health Professions in Auto Insurance to strengthen recognition of RSWs as regulated health professionals.
• Research and evidence-building: Partnering with Dr. Nathanial Barr of Sheridan College to examine barriers in MVA care for both clients and providers.
• Member supports: Developing updated fee recommendations, LAT preparation resources, and tools to help RSWs document and defend “reasonable and customary” rates.

Throughout the session, members shared candid stories about the arbitrary rate cuts, inconsistent treatment from insurers, and the emotional strain of constantly defending their professional worth. Despite these challenges, there was a strong sense of solidarity and shared purpose. The conversation underscored that social workers are not only regulated health professionals, they are essential to the recovery and well-being of MVA clients.

OASW’s message was clear: the profession deserves recognition and compensation that truly reflect its expertise and impact.

Many thanks to the MVA Subcommittee for their expertise and contributions to OASW’s advocacy efforts on this issue: 

• Kim Doogan
• Eden Dales
• Deena Ginsberg
• Ilda Caeiro Azzam
• Robyn Dunbar
• Kamilla Riabko
• Mandy Robson

Watch the full webinar on YouTube: Click here.

OASW’s Committees & Advisory Groups play an important role in achieving the Association's mandate.

Committees operate under the direction of the Board of Directors and help to support and strengthen OASW’s governance, financial, and ethical responsibilities.
Advisory Groups are member-led groups representing different sectors of social work practice. Advisory Groups work to provide advice to OASW’s staff and Board of Directors to develop, promote, and advance the social work role across the province.

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