Physiotherapy & The O.H.I.P. System

A great deal of confusion has been generated by the fact that some physiotherapy clinics are covered under O.H.I.P. and others are outside the provincial plan. This discrepancy remains from the 1960's when a limited number of private physiotherapy practice's were granted O.H.I.P billing privileges. Since then no new billing license's have been issued by the provincial government.

Fortunately, private extended health care benefits and the "No Fault" provisions of the Ontario Motorist Act will often cover registered physiotherapy and massage services. This means that if someone has been involved in an accident, rehabilitation will frequently be paid for by the insurance company. Employee health benefits should be checked by those who have not been involved in a car accident, but still require therapist services.

Awareness of other options for therapy is important in our overburdened O.H.I.P. system. Many insurance companies (both car and employee benefits) allow the therapy clinic to directly bill them, ensuring smooth and rapid access to appropriate treatment.