What is massage therapy?
According to the College of Massage Therapists of Newfoundland and Labrador, massage therapy is “the manipulation of the soft tissues of the body to promote health, to rehabilitate, to relax, to prevent dysfunction, or to relieve pain.”
It’s a popular service: According to Forbes, 88 percent of people surveyed endorse massage therapy. According to the Mayo Clinic, studies have also shown that along with physical symptom relief, it can help reduce stress.
Are massages covered by universal healthcare in Canada?
Massage therapy is not covered by any of the provincial or territorial government healthcare plans. There’s one exception: In British Columbia, those who are eligible for supplementary benefits under the MSP plan may receive partial payment for massage therapy.
Do workplace benefits cover massage therapy?
Many workplace benefits plans will offer coverage for massage therapy. It will often be included under coverage for “paramedical services.”
If you don’t have workplace benefits, you can also get coverage for massage therapy through a personal plan.
Freedom to Choose health and dental insurance, for example, includes coverage on all its plans. One of its most popular plans, Select plus, covers $400 worth of massage therapy per calendar year, with a maximum coverage of $40 per visit.
How much does massage therapy cost in Canada?
There are no set prices for massage therapy, so this cost will vary depending on where you go.
For a general idea, the Registered Massage Therapists Association of Ontario says that the average fee for a 1-hour massage ranges between $80 and $95, depending on where you live.
Why should you get insurance coverage that includes massage therapy?
Given its proven health benefits, whether you use it to boost relaxation or to help with the physical strain of sitting at a desk all day, massage therapy can be a key part of a holistic wellbeing plan.
If you don’t have insurance coverage or your workplace benefits doesn’t include massage therapy coverage you could be paying hundreds of dollars each year to access these benefits. With coverage that includes massage therapy, you could reduce your out-of-pocket expenditure significantly.
For example: Let’s say you get an $80 massage. Without insurance coverage, you pay that full amount. If you have Freedom to Choose health and dental insurance Select plus, your plan will cover $40, assuming you haven’t maxed out your coverage for that year.
It’s a savings that means you can invest more in your wellbeing.