WCB claimant finally gets neurological treatment after years of rejection
A Calgary man who was denied care by neurological clinics because of his Workers' Compensation Board claim has been accepted for treatment at the Alberta Neurologic Centre.
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A Calgarian who spent years fighting to access treatment for a nerve disorder has finally been accepted by a neurological clinic after media coverage brought his case to light.
David Clegg fell from a ladder in 2022, damaging his wrists, nose and skull. He then developed a neurological condition that caused daily migraines. But when his family doctor referred him to clinics for treatment, both AHS's Neurology Central Access and Triage facility and the Alberta Neurologic Centre rejected him — solely because he was on an open Workers' Compensation Board claim.
Clegg's journey with WCB included two employment readiness programs, an appeal, hiring a lawyer after the agency cut off contact due to recorded calls, and rejection letters from neurological clinics. Of all the neurological clinics in Calgary, 72 work for AHS — which accept patients through the triage centre that rejected Clegg.
When the Alberta Neurologic Centre was contacted by Postmedia about the rejections, the facility said it actually accepts WCB patients and that such status alone does not exclude someone. Following the article, WCB gave Clegg two months to find a private clinic whose costs would be covered by the insurer. His wife then connected with the Alberta Neurologic Centre, which has now agreed to treat him. On Friday, Clegg had his first appointment and received a nerve block, with plans to begin a Botox pre-emptive protocol in a few weeks.