Is Massage Therapy Covered by Insurance? 6 Things You Should Know

In BC, massage therapy is usually covered — by extended health plans, ICBC after an accident, or WorkSafeBC after a workplace injury. Here are the six things to check before your first visit so the billing side is boring, the way it should be.

1. Registered matters

Insurers cover treatment by a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT). Every massage therapist at Matrix Rehab is registered in BC, so receipts and direct billing are valid for any plan that covers RMT care.

2. Check your annual maximum

Most extended health plans (Sun Life, Manulife, Canada Life and most private insurers) cover a dollar amount per calendar year — commonly $300 to $1,000. Log into your plan portal, or call us and we can often check while direct billing.

3. Direct billing means little or nothing out of pocket

We bill most major insurers directly at checkout. If your plan covers 80%, you pay only the remaining 20% — no claim forms, no waiting for reimbursement.

4. ICBC covers massage after a car accident

Within the first 12 weeks after a crash, ICBC pre-approves 12 massage therapy sessions (alongside physiotherapy visits) — no doctor's referral needed. We're part of the ICBC Recovery Network and bill them directly.

5. WorkSafeBC has its own process

For workplace injuries, treatment is arranged around your claim. As an approved WorkSafeBC provider, we handle the paperwork and reporting with your case manager.

6. No referral needed — usually

You can book an RMT directly in BC. A small number of older extended-health plans still ask for a doctor's note for reimbursement — worth a quick check if your plan is unusual.