Short answer: No — but there are several ways physiotherapy is covered, and most Ontarians have access to at least one of them.
If you’ve been putting off physiotherapy because you’re not sure what it costs or whether your insurance covers it, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common questions we hear at Progressive Rehab. This guide breaks down exactly how physiotherapy is covered in Ontario so you can stop guessing and start recovering.
Is Physiotherapy Covered by OHIP?
Physiotherapy is not covered by OHIP for the vast majority of Ontarians. The Ontario government delisted physiotherapy from OHIP coverage for most adults in 1994. However, there are a few specific exceptions where OHIP does apply:
Children under 19 receiving physiotherapy at a designated Community Physiotherapy Clinic
Adults 65 and older at designated clinics (limited availability)
Patients recently discharged from hospital (within specific criteria and timelines)
Outside of these exceptions, physiotherapy is covered through extended health insurance, third-party insurance, or paid privately.
Extended Health Insurance (Most Common)
If you have a benefits plan through your employer — or through a spouse or parent’s plan — there’s a good chance physiotherapy is covered. Most group benefit plans in Ontario include coverage for registered physiotherapy, typically ranging from $300 to $1,000+ per calendar year depending on your plan.
What to check on your plan:
Is physiotherapy listed as a covered service?
Is there a per-visit maximum (e.g., $50 per visit)?
Is there an annual dollar maximum (e.g., $500/year)?
Do you need a doctor’s referral for your insurer to reimburse? (Note: you don’t need one to book — but some plans require one for reimbursement)
At Progressive Rehab, we offer direct billing to most major extended health insurance providers. That means we submit the claim on your behalf — you pay little to nothing upfront and don’t have to deal with the paperwork yourself.
Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Coverage
If you were injured in a car accident in Ontario, your physiotherapy is covered under Ontario’s Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (SABS) — regardless of who was at fault. This means your auto insurance, not your health insurance, pays for treatment.
MVA coverage typically includes physiotherapy, massage therapy, chiropractic, and other rehabilitation services. The amount covered depends on the severity of your injuries and your policy, but most patients qualify for meaningful coverage.
Progressive Rehab treats MVA patients at both our Mississauga and Brampton locations and handles all direct billing to your auto insurer. You don’t need to navigate the paperwork on your own.
WSIB (Workplace Safety and Insurance Board)
If you were injured at work in Ontario, your physiotherapy may be fully covered through WSIB. Once your claim is approved, WSIB pays directly for approved treatments — you pay nothing out of pocket.
WSIB covers physiotherapy for a wide range of workplace injuries including back and neck injuries, repetitive strain, slips and falls, and post-surgical rehabilitation. Progressive Rehab is an approved WSIB provider and we manage the billing process on your behalf.
What If I Don’t Have Insurance?
No benefits plan? No problem. Physiotherapy is available at Progressive Rehab on a private pay basis, and many patients find the cost very manageable — especially compared to the long-term cost of leaving an injury untreated.
We also offer a free phone consultation before your first appointment, so you can speak with one of our clinicians, understand your options, and decide if physiotherapy is the right step for you — with no commitment required.
Do I Need a Doctor’s Referral?
No. In Ontario, physiotherapists are primary health care practitioners, which means you can book directly without seeing your family doctor first. Simply call us or book online and we’ll take it from there.
That said, some extended health insurance plans do require a doctor’s referral for reimbursement purposes — so it’s worth checking your specific plan.
Bottom Line
Most Ontarians have access to physiotherapy coverage through one or more of the following: extended health benefits, auto insurance (MVA), or WSIB. If you’re not sure what you’re covered for, the easiest thing to do is call us — we’ll look into your coverage before your first appointment so there are no surprises.
Progressive Rehab has two locations serving the Greater Toronto Area:
📍 Mississauga — 3221 Derry Rd W, Unit 20 📍 Brampton — 9497 Mississauga Rd, Unit 1 📞 905-970-8100 ✉️ feelbetter@progressiverehab.ca
👉 Book an Appointment | Free Phone Consultation
Progressive Rehab is a registered physiotherapy clinic serving patients in Mississauga, Brampton, and the surrounding Greater Toronto Area since 2008.