Is Chiropractic, Massage & Acupuncture Covered by Insurance in BC? A Direct Billing Guide
Updated: Oct 12
Short answer: usually, yes. Most extended health plans in British Columbia cover chiropractic, registered massage therapy and acupuncture, and many now cover athletic therapy too. What changes from plan to plan is how much they pay, how many visits that buys you, and whether there are any conditions attached.
At Saanichton Chiropractic Group we direct bill most extended health plans for chiropractic, massage therapy, acupuncture and athletic therapy, so you only pay the part your plan doesn't cover. This guide explains how BC coverage works, what the insurance terms on your plan actually mean, and how to get full value from your benefits before they reset.
Your Coverage Options in BC at a Glance
Extended health benefits (through work or a private plan): usually cover chiropractic, massage therapy and acupuncture up to a yearly dollar maximum for each type of practitioner. We bill your insurer directly.
ICBC: if you were hurt in a car crash in BC, your treatment is covered under Enhanced Care with no referral and no cost to you. We bill ICBC directly. See our ICBC chiropractic page.
WorkSafeBC: if you were injured at work and have a claim, your treatment is covered. We direct bill WorkSafeBC, so bring your claim number. More on our WorkSafeBC chiropractic page.
MSP Supplementary Benefits: lower-income BC residents can get MSP to contribute to 10 visits a year, combined across chiropractic, massage, acupuncture and a few other services. Let us know if you qualify, because our fees are reduced for eligible patients.
How BC Extended Health Plans Cover These Therapies
Canadian plans don't work like the US system of copays and in-network providers. Most BC plans set a separate budget for each type of practitioner and reimburse a percentage of each visit until that budget runs out. These are the terms you'll see in your plan booklet or insurer app:
Annual maximum: the most your plan pays per calendar year for one type of practitioner, such as $500 for massage therapy. Some plans pool several practitioner types into one combined "paramedical" maximum instead.
Per-visit maximum: a cap on how much the plan pays for a single visit, whatever the fee is.
Reimbursement percentage: the share of each visit your plan pays, often 80% or 100%. You pay the rest.
Deductible: an amount some plans make you pay yourself each year before coverage starts. Many BC plans have none for paramedical services.
Health spending account (HSA): a separate pot of money from some employers that can top up what your regular coverage doesn't pay.
Chiropractic
Chiropractic is included in almost every BC extended health plan, and most plans don't require a doctor's referral. Learn more about chiropractic care in Saanichton.
Massage Therapy
Plans cover massage therapy when it's done by a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT). Some plans still ask for a doctor's note before they pay for massage, so check your booklet before you book. See our registered massage therapy team.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is usually covered when it's done by a registered acupuncturist (R.Ac). Some plans pool it with other practitioner types, so one shared maximum covers several services. Read about acupuncture at our clinic.
Athletic Therapy
A growing number of plans cover Certified Athletic Therapists. If yours lists athletic therapy, we can direct bill it. See athletic therapy in Saanichton.
How Direct Billing Works at Our Clinic
Bring your plan details. When you book or at your first visit, give us your insurer's name, group or policy number, and your member ID, plus the details of any dependants we'll be seeing.
We submit the claim after your visit. Most insurers reply within minutes and tell us exactly how much they'll pay.
You pay only the balance. If your plan covers the whole visit, you pay nothing that day.
A card on file is required. To offer direct billing we keep a credit card securely on your Jane profile (PCI compliant). It's only charged for any amount your insurer doesn't pay.
Direct billing means you don't pay the full fee up front and then wait weeks to be reimbursed. That makes it easier to stick to a treatment plan, and you can see how much coverage you have left after every visit. If your plan doesn't allow direct billing, we'll give you a receipt so you can submit the claim yourself.
Covered by Two Plans? Coordination of Benefits
If you're covered by your own plan and your spouse's, submit to your own plan first and send the remainder to your spouse's. For children, the plan of the parent whose birthday comes first in the calendar year is usually billed first. Tell us about both plans at your first visit so we can set your file up properly. Two plans can often cover a visit in full.
Use Your Benefits Before They Reset
Most BC plans reset on January 1 (some reset on your policy's anniversary date instead), and unused paramedical coverage doesn't carry over. If you have money left in your chiropractic, massage or acupuncture coverage, fall is the time to use it. Check how much you have left in your insurer's app, then book online before the December rush.
Tips to Get the Most From Your Coverage
Look up the maximum and per-visit limit for each practitioner type, not just a total.
Check whether your plan needs a referral for massage therapy before your first RMT visit.
If you have separate budgets, combining therapies (chiropractic plus massage, for example) lets you use more of your coverage.
Use a health spending account, if you have one, to cover the portion your regular plan doesn't pay.
Keep your plan details up to date with us when you change jobs or insurers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a doctor's referral for chiropractic, massage or acupuncture?
For chiropractic and acupuncture, usually not. Some plans require a referral for massage therapy, so check your plan booklet. ICBC and WorkSafeBC claims don't need a referral for chiropractic care.
Which insurance companies do you direct bill?
We direct bill most major extended health insurers. Call us at 250-223-0200 with the name of your insurer and we'll confirm.
What happens if my insurer doesn't pay the whole visit?
You pay the remaining balance at the end of your visit, and we'll give you a receipt in case you can claim it from a second plan or an HSA.
Does MSP cover chiropractic in BC?
Only if you qualify for MSP Supplementary Benefits, which are based on income. Eligible patients get MSP to contribute to 10 combined visits per calendar year, and we offer them lower fees. See the Government of BC's Supplementary Benefits page for eligibility.
I was in a car accident. Do I use my extended health plan?
No. ICBC is the primary payer for crash injuries in BC. See what ICBC covers for chiropractic treatment.
How much does a visit cost without insurance?
See our fees and direct billing page for the current fee schedule.
Book Your Visit
Saanichton Chiropractic Group offers chiropractic, registered massage therapy, acupuncture and athletic therapy under one roof, with direct billing to most extended health plans, ICBC and WorkSafeBC. Book online or call 250-223-0200.
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