You are "inside DTPR" (in-protocol) if your car accident injury is a sprain, strain or whiplash-associated disorder (WAD) grade 1 or 2, a physiotherapist, chiropractor or physician diagnoses it under Alberta's Diagnostic and Treatment Protocols Regulation, and you are still within 90 days of the accident and your visit limit. The limit is up to 10 visits for a sprain, strain or WAD 1, and up to 21 visits for WAD 2. Book an MVA assessment or call us and we will help you work out where your claim sits.
What Is the DTPR?
The Diagnostic and Treatment Protocols Regulation (DTPR) is an Alberta regulation under the Insurance Act that sets out how minor injuries from a car accident are diagnosed and treated. It covers:
Sprains and strains (first and second degree)
Whiplash-Associated Disorders grade 1 and 2 (see how WAD grades are classified)
Injuries with clear neurological signs, or a fracture or dislocation of the spine, are not treated as minor injuries under the DTPR. Those fall outside the protocols.
When a Claim Is "Inside DTPR" (In-Protocol)
Your claim is inside the DTPR when all of these are true:
Your injury is a sprain, strain, or WAD grade 1 or 2
You are within your visit limit: up to 10 combined visits for a sprain, strain or WAD 1, or up to 21 for WAD 2
You are within 90 days of the date of the accident
The protocols stop applying once the 90 days pass or the visit limit is reached, whichever comes first. Visits count in total across physiotherapy, chiropractic and some adjunct therapies, so it helps to know how many have already been used.
How Coverage Works In-Protocol
Pre-approved treatment: the protocols set the treatment plan and visit limit, so your practitioner can start care after the assessment without waiting for the insurer to approve each visit.
Billing to your auto insurer: in-protocol claims are paid by your auto insurer once treatment is authorized under the regulation. Contact us to confirm how billing works for your claim.
Structured care: your physiotherapist assesses your injury, records your WAD grade, and builds a plan within the protocol guidelines.
What Happens If You Need More Care
If you still need treatment after the visit limit or the 90-day window, your claim moves outside the DTPR (out-of-protocol). The regulation also allows you or your practitioner to ask your insurer to approve extra services beyond the protocol limits, and the insurer decides. Outside the DTPR, your private or group benefits are usually billed first, then Section B accident benefits.
A Change Coming on January 1, 2027
Alberta's Care-First auto insurance system starts on January 1, 2027, according to Alberta.ca. This article explains the current system. For how Care-First will work, see the Alberta government's Care-First page.
Your Next Steps
Get assessed early. The 90-day window runs from the date of the accident, so do not wait. Book an MVA assessment online or contact our front desk.
Have your claim details ready. Bring your claim number, your insurer and adjuster details, and the date of the accident. See how direct billing works at our clinic.
Ask us where your claim sits. We will tell you whether your injury looks in-protocol or out-of-protocol and what to expect next. Read more on our motor vehicle accident physiotherapy page.
Keep your records. Keep receipts, forms and the names of anyone you speak to at your insurer.
If you are unsure whether your injury is inside or outside the DTPR, contact your insurance adjuster or give us a call. Our physiotherapists at Flex Physio & Wellness will help guide you and provide the documents your insurer asks for. You can meet the team here.
Related Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "Inside DTPR" or "in-protocol" mean?
It means your car accident injury is a sprain, strain or WAD 1 or 2 whiplash being treated under Alberta's Diagnostic and Treatment Protocols Regulation, within 90 days of the accident and within the visit limit.
How many physiotherapy visits are covered in-protocol?
Up to 10 combined visits for a sprain, strain or WAD 1, and up to 21 for WAD 2. These are combined totals across physiotherapy, chiropractic and some adjunct therapy visits.
Do I have to pay upfront for in-protocol treatment?
Under the regulation, your auto insurer pays in-protocol claims once treatment is authorized. Contact us to confirm how billing works for your claim.
What happens if I still have symptoms after my in-protocol visits?
Once the visit limit or the 90-day window is reached, your claim moves outside the DTPR. Your practitioner or you can ask the insurer to approve additional care, and private benefits and Section B accident benefits may apply.
Does the new Care-First system change this?
Care-First, Alberta's new auto insurance system, starts on January 1, 2027, according to Alberta.ca. This article explains the current system. Check the Alberta government's Care-First page for how the new system will work.