Is physiotherapy covered by OHIP?

OHIP funded physiotherapy or "OHIP Physiotherapy" is delivered in communities by Designated Physiotherapy Clinics. By government policy the number of OHIP clinics has been frozen since 1964. Currently there are 91 clinics that are able to bill OHIP in Ontario. The policy not to issue OHIP billing licenses since 1964 has resulted in areas of the province that have undergone demographic and population changes not having access to OHIP physiotherapy. For instance, there are no OHIP clinics in Ajax or Whitby. Residents of these towns must travel to Scarborough or Oshawa.

OHIP covers physiotherapy treatment for $12.20 per visit in a clinic and does not cover the cost of assessment or reassessment, so in many cases an additional assessment or administration fee is charged to the patient to cover costs of running the clinic. In order to be covered for physiotherapy services from OHIP clinics you must have an MD's referral and:

• be 19 years old or younger, or;
• be 65 years old or older, or;
• are receiving benefits under the Ontario Disability Support Program or Family Works, or;
• have been admitted overnight in hospital for a condition that now requires physiotherapy (i.e.. Joint replacement)