Few of the services provided by natural health practitioners are covered by insurance, and the amount of coverage offered varies depending on the insurer. Massage Therapy is the most commonly covered service offered.
If insurance does cover the cost of a particular practice, you may be responsible for a percentage of the cost of therapy.
You will probably have to pay out-of-pocket for most of the costs of natural health care services.
Treatment fees and costs vary from one therapy to another, and from province (or territory) to province. To find out the normal price range, contact natural health practitioners directly.
The following information has been adapted from the Canadian Health Network website (www.canadian-health-network.ca)
Will my provincial health insurance cover the costs?
Right now, very few of the health care services provided by natural health practitioners are covered, even partially, by provincial health plans. This coverage varies across the country. Contact your provincial/territorial health insurance plan for current information (contact information below).
Private insurance
Some private insurers will cover all, or part of the cost for some services. Call your private insurance company to find out which services are covered, the number of visits that are covered and how much of the cost of the treatment your plan will provide.
Does worker's compensation cover complementary and alternative health care?
Worker's compensation boards may cover all, or only part of the cost of a few complementary and alternative health practices. Rules for coverage are fairly strict. Contact your provincial/territorial workers' compensation office for guidelines and current information (contact information below).
Where can I find out about coverage?
ALBERTA
Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP)
E-mail:
health.ahcipmail@gov.ab.ca
Tel: 427-1432 (Edmonton)
Toll free for the rest of Alberta, dial 310-0000 then (780) 427-1432
Workers Compensation Board Alberta
Tel: (780) 498-3999
Toll-free: 1 866-922-9221
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Health Insurance BC
Tel: Vancouver: 604 683-7151
Other areas of B.C. (toll-free): 1 800 663-7100
WorkSafeBC/Workers' Compensation Board
Tel: 604 231-8888
Toll-free: 1 888 967-5377
MANITOBA
Manitoba Health Services Insurance Plan
Tel: 204 786-7101
Toll-free: 1 800-392-1207
Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba (WCB)
E-mail: wcb@wcb.mb.ca
Tel: 204 954-4321
Toll-free: 1 -800 362-3340
NEW BRUNSWICK
New Brunswick Medicare
E-mail:
medicare@gnb.ca
Tel: 506 684-7901
Toll-free: 1 888 762-8600
Workplace Health, Safety, and Compensation Commission of New Brunswick (WHSCC)
Tel: 506 632-2200
Toll-free: 1 800 222-9775
NEWFOUNDLAND
Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Care Plan
Tel: 709 292-4010
Toll-free: 2 800 563-1557
Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission of Newfoundland and Labrador (WHSCC)
Tel: 709 778-1000
Toll-free: 1 800 563-9000
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
Health and Social Services – programs and services
Tel: 867 873-7049
Toll-free: 1 800 661-0830
Workers' Compensation Board Northwest Territories
Toll-free: 1 800 661-0792 (Yellowknife)
Toll-free: 1 877 404-4407 (Iqaluit)
Toll-free: 1 877 404-8878 (Rankin Inlet)
NOVA SCOTIA
Nova Scotia's Health Insurance Plan
Tel: 902 496-7008
Toll-free: 1 800 563-8880
Workers' Compensation Board of Nova Scotia
Tel: 902 491-8999
Toll-free: 1 800 870 3331
NUNAVUT
Health and Social Services Nunavut
Tel: 867 975-5700
Workers' Compensation Board Northwest Territories and Nunavut
Toll-free: 1 800 661-0792 (Yellowknife)
Toll-free: 1 877 404-4407 (Iqaluit)
Toll-free: 1 877 404-8878 (Rankin Inlet)
ONTARIO
Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)
Tel: 416-314-5518 (Toronto)
Toll-free: 1 800 268-1154
The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB)
Tel: 416 344-1000
Toll-free: 1 800 387-5540
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
PEI Hospital and Medical Services
Tel: 902 838-0916
Workers' Compensation Board of Prince Edward Island
Tel: 902 368-5680
Toll-free: 1 866 460-3074
QUEBEC
Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec
Tel: 418 646-4636
Tel: 514 864-3411 (Montreal)
Toll-free: 1 800 561 9749
La Commission de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CSST)
Tel: 418 266-4000
Toll free: 1 800 267-6811
SASKATCHEWAN
The Saskatchewan Medical Care Insurance Plan
Tel: 306 787-3124
Toll-free: 1 800 266-0695
Saskatchewan Workers' Compensation Board
Tel: 306 787-4370
Toll-free: 1 800 667-7590
YUKON TERRITORY
Yukon Health and Social Services
Tel: 867 667-5209
Yukon Workers' Compensation Health and Safety Board
Tel: 867 667-5645
Toll-free: 1 800 661-0443