Is Naturopathic Care Covered by Insurance? A Guide to Extended Health Benefits in Canada

Cost is one of the most common questions people have before booking with a naturopathic doctor (ND). Provincial health plans generally don't cover ND visits the way they cover family doctor visits, but many people have more coverage than they realize. Here's how to find out what's available to you.

Check your extended health plan

Many workplace and private extended health plans include naturopathic care. Coverage varies widely from plan to plan, so it's worth looking at the details in your benefits booklet, member portal, or calling your insurer.

Questions to ask:

• Is naturopathic care covered, and at what percentage?
• Is there a per-visit maximum or an annual maximum?
• Is the annual maximum shared with other practitioners, such as massage therapy or physiotherapy?
• Do I need a referral from a physician?
• Are lab tests, supplements or other products covered separately, or not at all?
• When does my plan year start and end?

That last question is easy to overlook. Many plans run on the calendar year, with annual maximums resetting on January 1, but some follow a different cycle. Knowing your plan year helps you plan visits around your coverage.

How receipts and direct billing work

After each visit, your ND's clinic will give you a receipt that typically includes the practitioner's name, registration number and the service provided. You can submit it to your insurer for reimbursement. Some clinics offer direct billing to certain insurers, so you only pay the portion your plan doesn't cover. If that matters to you, ask the clinic when you book.

Health spending accounts

Some employers offer a health spending account (HSA) instead of, or alongside, a traditional extended health plan. An HSA gives you a set amount each year to spend on eligible health expenses, which typically include services from practitioners the Canada Revenue Agency recognizes in your province. If you have one, check with your plan administrator whether naturopathic visits qualify.

Provincial programs

Provincial health plans don't generally cover naturopathic visits, but some provinces have limited programs for specific groups. In British Columbia, for example, residents who qualify for MSP Supplementary Benefits can receive a $23 contribution per visit toward naturopathy and certain other practitioners, up to a combined 10 visits per calendar year. Eligibility is based on income and other criteria, so check Health Insurance BC for current details. If you live in another province, your provincial health ministry can tell you whether any similar program exists.

The medical expense tax credit

In several provinces, including BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Nova Scotia, the Canada Revenue Agency recognizes naturopaths as authorized medical practitioners. That means out-of-pocket fees for naturopathic visits may be claimable under the federal medical expense tax credit, as long as they weren't reimbursed by insurance. The CRA keeps an up-to-date list of authorized practitioners by province, and a tax professional can help you understand how the credit applies to you.

Planning around cost

Fees for initial and follow-up visits vary by clinic and are usually posted on the clinic's website. If cost is a factor, it's reasonable to ask the clinic up front:

• What do initial and follow-up visits cost?
• How often are follow-ups typically scheduled?
• Do any recommended tests or products carry extra costs?
• Do you offer direct billing to my insurer?

Clear answers up front make it easier to plan care that fits your budget.

Find a naturopathic doctor

On NetND, you can search for naturopathic doctors across Canada by focus area and location, then visit each clinic's site for fees, booking and billing details.

This article is for general information only and isn't financial, tax or insurance advice. Coverage depends on your individual plan; please confirm details with your insurer, plan administrator or a tax professional.