Does OHIP Cover Massage Therapy in Ontario? What Is and Isn't Covered

Is massage covered by OHIP? In short, no. If you have just arrived in Ontario, or you are used to a health system where massage is partly funded, it is worth knowing before you book that a visit to a registered massage therapist (RMT) is normally paid for by a private plan or by you. This page explains what the sources say, and where to look for your own coverage.

Does OHIP cover massage therapy in Ontario?

The Registered Massage Therapists' Association of Ontario (RMTAO) answers this directly in its FAQ: massage therapy treatments are not covered under OHIP, the Ontario Health Insurance Plan. That holds whether the treatment is given by an RMT, by a physician, or on a physician's prescription.

The Government of Ontario's page on what OHIP covers does not mention massage by name. It does list, among the services OHIP does not cover, health services delivered outside a hospital by providers who are not physicians or "prescribed practitioners." Read together, the RMTAO's explicit answer is the one to rely on for massage. If you want to double-check your own situation, you can ask ServiceOntario or your family doctor.

Does a doctor's referral make OHIP pay for massage?

No. According to the RMTAO, a physician's referral or prescription does not change the answer. A referral can still be useful in other ways, for example when your own insurance plan asks for one, but it does not turn massage into an OHIP-covered service.

How do people usually pay for RMT massage in Ontario?

There are three common routes:

A private extended health plan. This is often part of an employer's group benefits, or a plan you buy yourself. The RMTAO says extended health plans that cover RMT treatments generally do not ask for a physician's order, but each plan sets its own rules, so check your booklet. Our step-by-step guide to claiming RMT massage on insurance is here: https://tmg.rayspringtech.com/posts/rmt-insurance-claim-ontario
Paying yourself. Many people book a session at their own cost, with no insurance involved.
Other payers. If your treatment relates to a car accident or a workplace injury, those systems have their own claim processes. Ask the insurer or the claim contact before booking, rather than assuming either way.

If you have group benefits: what to check

OHIP and your private plan are separate things, so a plan may cover massage even though OHIP does not. Look for the "massage therapy" or "paramedical" line in your benefits booklet or insurer app, and note:

whether the plan names registered massage therapists as eligible providers
the yearly limit and any per-visit limit
whether a referral is required
when your benefit year resets (our checklist for using benefits before the end of the year is here: https://tmg.rayspringtech.com/posts/use-massage-benefits-before-december-31)

Many clinics can bill some insurers for you, so you only pay your share. Whether that is possible depends on the insurer and the clinic. See: https://tmg.rayspringtech.com/posts/direct-billing-massage

Whichever way you pay, ask for a receipt. The CMTO says an RMT receipt for insurance should show the appointment date, your name, the RMT's name, the amount paid, and the RMT's signature and registration number, plus an HST number if one applies.

If you do not have benefits

Not having a plan does not mean you cannot see an RMT. You can book and pay yourself. If you are new to Canada or to a job, ask your employer or plan administrator whether you are eligible and when coverage starts, since those details vary by plan. Some employers offer a health spending account instead of, or alongside, group benefits; the same advice applies, so read your plan documents.

This page is general information, not medical or insurance advice. Your plan's wording and your insurer's decision are what matter for any claim.

FAQ

Will OHIP pay for massage if my doctor refers me?

No. The RMTAO states that massage therapy is not covered under OHIP, even if a physician provides it or prescribes it.

Is massage therapy covered by insurance in Ontario?

Often by private extended health plans, but not always. Some plans include massage under paramedical coverage, some exclude it, and limits differ. Check your own booklet or ask your insurer.

Do I need a doctor's referral to claim RMT massage on my benefits?

The RMTAO says plans that cover RMT treatments usually do not require a physician's order. Some plans have their own rules, so confirm with yours.

Does OHIP cover other health services outside a hospital?

The government page on what OHIP covers says health services delivered outside hospitals by providers other than physicians or prescribed practitioners are not covered. For a specific service, check that page or ask your doctor or ServiceOntario.

How do I find out what my plan will pay for massage?

Read the paramedical section of your benefits booklet, log in to your insurer's app, or ask your HR department or plan administrator.