Published August 31, 2026
In Ontario, you can generally book physiotherapy directly without first seeing a family doctor. However, that does not necessarily mean your extended-health plan will reimburse the visit without a referral.
Booking access and insurance rules are different
A clinic may be able to assess and treat you without a physician referral, while your insurer may have its own rules about reimbursement. Some plans require a referral, prescription or other supporting information.
What to check before your appointment
Review your benefits booklet or contact your insurer to confirm annual limits, per-visit limits, referral requirements and whether direct billing is available. Clinic staff may also be able to help verify information the insurer makes available.
Coverage varies by plan, so no clinic can guarantee reimbursement before the insurer processes or confirms the claim.