What is chiropractic care?
Chiropractic care is defined by the Ontario Chiropractic Association as a patient-centered, non-invasive, hands-on, regulated health care profession focused on your spine, muscles, joints and nervous system. They also state that almost 2.7 million patients in Ontario rely on chiropractic care every year to help them live healthy, active lives.
Does universal healthcare in Canada cover chiropractic care?
No. Chiropractic care isn’t covered by provincial or territorial healthcare plans in Canada. However, if you reside in British Columbia, and depending on your condition or how you sustained your injury, you could get coverage through ICBC or WorkSafeBC. Additionally, you may also be eligible for partial coverage for your chiropractic care if you have Premium Assistance with a Medical Services Plan (MSP).
You should check with your provincial health ministry to find any unique coverage options or updates.
What are some benefits to getting chiropractic coverage?
The benefits you can experience when you have chiropractic care can be both financial and physical.
Financial benefits
Chiropractic care can be expensive. Insurance coverage can help you save money by paying for some or all your treatments. For example, if your chiropractic care session costs you $60 and you don’t have coverage, that’s a full $60 coming out of your pocket.
However, if you have a Select plan with Freedom to Choose health and dental insurance, your plan will cover $30 of that cost, helping you save some money. With chiropractic care coverage, you could go for regular sessions, which could improve your health and well-being over time.
Physical benefits
Regular chiropractic care sessions can help with preventative care keeping your body in better alignment and reducing the risk of injury. Having chiropractic care coverage could allow you to follow your chiropractor’s full treatment plan, which may help you recover faster from an injury.
Do workplace benefits cover chiropractic care?
Yes. Generally, a workplace benefits plan will include some type of coverage for chiropractic care. It may also fit under coverage for paramedical services that can include physiotherapy, massage therapy, acupuncture, or naturopathy. If your employer doesn’t offer a workplace benefits plan where you can get chiropractic care coverage, then you could consider the purchase of a personal insurance plan like Freedom to Choose health and dental insurance by Canada Life.
The Select plan offers coverage up to $30 per visit with a maximum of $300 per practitioner each calendar year.
How much does a chiropractor cost?
The cost of chiropractic care services can vary in Canada depending on several factors like the experience level of the chiropractor, type of services provided, the duration of the treatment, and where you live. For example, according to Achieve Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation in Ontario, “a standard chiropractic care session may last anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes and cost anywhere from $50 to $200 plus.”