Using extended health benefits for physiotherapy
Many employer and private benefit plans include physiotherapy, but coverage is determined by the individual insurance contract. Annual maximums, reimbursement percentages, deductibles, eligible-charge limits, provider requirements and claim procedures can differ substantially between plans.
What to check before booking
- Whether physiotherapy is included in your current plan.
- Whether the treating physiotherapist must be licensed in British Columbia.
- Your remaining annual or combined paramedical maximum.
- Any deductible, reimbursement percentage or per-visit limit.
- Whether your plan requires a referral or prescription for reimbursement.
- Whether the clinic can submit claims directly to your insurer.
Direct billing is not a guarantee of reimbursement
A clinic may be able to submit a claim electronically, but the insurer still applies the terms of the member’s plan. Patients remain responsible for confirming coverage and for any amount not reimbursed.
Keep the treatment decision separate from the insurance decision
Insurance coverage determines reimbursement, not clinical necessity. Whether physiotherapy is appropriate, how often treatment should occur and when a plan should change are clinical questions for the patient and practitioner.