Is physiotherapy covered in Canada? OHIP, provincial plans and benefits
General information only. Not medical, insurance or legal advice. Coverage rules and prices change, so confirm with your insurer or public health service (such as the NHS, HSE or Medicare) before booking, and ask your doctor whether a procedure is right for you.
Who gets publicly funded physio
| Province | What is funded |
|---|---|
| Ontario | Free physio at government-funded clinics if you are 65 or over, 19 or under, had an overnight hospital stay or day surgery in the last 12 months for a condition that needs physiotherapy, or receive Ontario Works or ODSP. No referral needed at community physiotherapy clinics. |
| Quebec | RAMQ does not pay self-employed physiotherapists. Musculoskeletal clinics, now opening in several regions, are covered when you are referred by a physician or specialised nurse practitioner. |
| British Columbia | MSP Supplementary Benefits for families with adjusted net income under C$42,000 (and some others): MSP contributes a set amount per visit, for a combined 10 visits a year across physio, chiropractic, massage and similar services. |
| Alberta | Funded physio within 12 weeks of a fracture or orthopaedic surgery (no referral needed), and for general joint or muscle problems if you have a low income. Others pay themselves or use third-party benefits. |
Medically necessary physio you receive in hospital is an insured hospital service under the Canada Health Act. Work injuries are covered through workers’ compensation, such as WSIB in Ontario and WorkSafeBC.
Extended health benefits
Workplace and individual health plans usually include physiotherapy, often with a yearly dollar or visit limit. The Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association says health benefits cover 27 million Canadians. Some insurers require a doctor’s referral before they will pay, even though you don’t need one to see a physio.
What it costs
There is no government fee schedule for private physio in most provinces, so prices vary. Published prices we found were about C$90 to C$130 a visit, with the first assessment at the higher end; insurers such as Manitoba Blue Cross set their own reasonable limits.
There is no government fee schedule for private physio, so prices vary. If you see a physiotherapist who isn’t contracted with WorkSafeBC for a work injury, you are reimbursed up to a set amount per visit and pay any difference.
Why it matters
In a 2024 national survey for Physiotherapy Canada, 51% of people who didn’t get physio they needed said they couldn’t afford it, and only 42% were satisfied with their ability to afford physiotherapy.
Paying yourself: the medical expense tax credit
Eligible medical expenses above the lower of 3% of your net income or C$2,834 (2025 tax year) can be claimed on your tax return. Fees paid to a medical practitioner, including a physiotherapist recognised in your province, are generally eligible. Check the Canada Revenue Agency’s guide before you claim.
If you are refused or charged
- If you are asked to pay for a service your provincial plan insures, ask why. In Ontario, you can report it to the Ministry of Health on 1-888-662-6613.
- Ontario decisions about OHIP coverage can be appealed to the Health Services Appeal and Review Board.
- For a complaint about a private insurer, complain to the insurer first, then to the OmbudService for Life & Health Insurance (OLHI), which is free.
Looking for a physio? See how to find a physiotherapist or physical therapist, including how to check registration, and our exercise guides for before and after surgery.
Frequently asked questions
Is physiotherapy covered by OHIP?
Only for certain groups at government-funded clinics: people 65 and over, 19 and under, after an overnight hospital stay or day surgery for a condition that needs physio, or on Ontario Works or ODSP. Others usually pay or use benefits.
Can I claim physio on my taxes in Canada?
Yes, physio fees are generally an eligible medical expense if the physiotherapist is recognised as a medical practitioner in your province, above the lower of 3% of your net income or C$2,834 (2025).
Start at home with free routines
Exercise and staying active are part of most treatment plans, whether or not you have an injection or surgery. These free routines and printable sheets are a good place to start.
- Free exercise library (213 exercises with videos)
- Condition routines (back, neck, knee, hip and more)
- Free printable exercise handouts
A physiotherapist can tailor an exercise plan to you.
Sources
- Canada Health Act (R.S.C. 1985, c. C-6)
- Ontario: Physiotherapy clinics (government-funded)
- College of Physiotherapists of Ontario: Publicly funded physiotherapy
- RAMQ: Frequently asked questions about costs billed
- Québec.ca: Musculoskeletal clinics
- British Columbia: MSP Supplementary Benefits
- Alberta Health Services: Have a physical concern and need physiotherapy?
- Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association: Claims in Canada rising (September 2025)
- World Physiotherapy: Canada member profile
- 211 Central: Eisenhauer and Smith Physiotherapy, Toronto (fees)
- Manitoba Blue Cross: 2025 usual and customary limits for paramedical services
- College of Physiotherapists of Alberta: Physiotherapy fees, what to expect
- WorkSafeBC: Health care benefits
- WSIB Ontario: Health care benefits
- Physiotherapy Canada: Charting the future of physiotherapy care in Canada (public polling, 2025)
- Canada Revenue Agency: Lines 33099 and 33199, eligible medical expenses
- Canada Revenue Agency: Authorized medical practitioners for the medical expense tax credit
- OmbudService for Life & Health Insurance (OLHI): Complaints
Last checked October 2026. Found something out of date? Email hello@protocolarchive.com.
This page explains how coverage usually works, using public government, insurer, ombudsman and clinic sources listed above. It is general information, not medical, insurance, financial or legal advice, and it does not recommend any treatment, policy or provider. Rules differ by province and by plan and can change, so confirm with your doctor, your provincial plan, your insurer or the clinic before you decide. Protocol Archive is independent and is not affiliated with any government health plan or insurer.