Cost and Coverage

RMTs are regulated healthcare professionals in B.C. and the majority of extended health care plans cover Registered Massage Therapy appointments.  Each plan provider will have different rules and coverage allowances so you will have to inquire about those details.  There is no MD referral requirement to see a Registered Massage Therapist ~ however, your extended health care plan or policy may require a referral before reimbursing the treatments.  Try to contact your Human Resources Officer at work for information or your insurance policy provider directly for essentials of your coverage.  Registered Massage Therapy in BC is a Regulated Health Profession.

Summary:  To see a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) in BC you are not required to obtain a referral from a Doctor or any other medical professional. Some insurance companies will require a Medical Doctor's referral for massage therapy treatment reimbursement. Please check with your provider.

Patients eligible for MSP coverage ~ Premium Assistance 

Please note that this includes any combination of treatments (10) from an RMT or other supplementary health benefit ~ chiropractic, physiotherapy, acupuncture, naturopathy and non-surgical podiatry.  Patients with MSP coverage are still required to pay the entire private rate of any appointment booked.  Note:  An online application will be made for the patient's MSP coverage (reimbursement will come in the patient's name in the form of a cheque from the BC MSP program and not in the RMT's name) and may take several weeks for payment processing.  Reimbursement of $23.00 per visit will be sent directly from MSP ~ Province of British Columbia, to the patient if eligible either to their home directly or to the clinic for retrieval.  For more information on MSP Coverage please visit their webpage here.

RCMP

All therapists at this clinic are registered providers with the Medavie PBC RCMP health plan and are able to bill the RCMP benefits directly.  A doctor’s referral is required.  Additionally, each officer will be required to fill out and sign an RCMP treatment form for direct billing. 

For questions:  Pacific Blue Cross ~ 1.888.261.4033 (Vancouver area ~ 604.419.2795).

RCMP News:

Effective January 1st, 2014, RCMP members have $4800 to spend in total, per calendar year, for all of their supplementary health benefits including chiropractic, physiotherapy, massage therapy and acupuncture. This value does not include GST which can be billed in addition using the same code 0GST. The billing code remains the same for Massage Therapy services (249432) when billing Pacific Blue Cross directly. However, the additional visit code (249435) is no longer in effect.

RMTs are no longer limited to half hour treatments and members may book appointments as needed with standard rates applicable. For auditing purposes it’s a good idea to include the length of massage when billing.

DVA (Department of Veterans Affairs)

Call DVA at 1-866-811-6060 ext. 4 to determine whether Veteran is an A or B patient. Ask the VA officer for a patient authorization letter which will outline the conditions of the claim and the maximum annual amount specifically for that patient.  A doctor's referral is required.

DVA News:

The Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) has made changes their benefits. Effective January 15th, 2015, the benefit code (249432) will change from $800/CY to 15 one-hour sessions per calendar year.    (DVA pays up to 120.00 per treatment not including tax.)

For more information on this notice click here.

ICBC

All Ladner Massage Therapy therapists do accept ICBC-related claims.  Please be aware that patients are expected to pay for their treatment at the time of each visit. We currently do not bill ICBC directly.  It is the responsiblility of each post-MVA patient to submit receipts to ICBC for reimbursement.  ICBC may or may not reimburse the full amount ~ please discuss this with your adjuster.