Massage Therapy Insurance Coverage in Ontario

Updated :October 2025
At Regain Rehab, we know understanding your insurance coverage for massage therapy can be confusing.
This guide answers the most common questions about massage therapy coverage from leading Canadian insurers such as Sun Life, Manulife, Canada Life, Green Shield Canada (GSC), OTIP, and RTOERO.

1. Do I need a doctor’s referral for massage therapy in Ontario?

No — in Ontario, you do not need a doctor’s referral to book or receive massage therapy from a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT).
However, some insurance plans require a referral to process or reimburse your claim.

• Sun Life: Most plans don’t require a referral, but some employer group plans might.
  👉 Sun Life – Check Your Coverage
• Canada Life: Some plans require a doctor’s note for reimbursement.
  👉 Canada Life – Massage Therapy Insurance
• OTIP: Recommends confirming if a referral is required.
  👉 OTIP – Choosing the Right Paramedical Provider

2. How much massage therapy coverage do insurance companies provide?

Typical extended health benefit limits in Ontario include:

Insurance Company	Typical Annual Maximum	Notes
Sun Life	$250 – $500 per year	60–100 % reimbursement depending on plan
Canada Life	Up to $500 per year	Up to $50 per visit
Manulife	$350 – $750 per year	May require referral
Green Shield Canada	$300 – $600 per year	Often part of shared paramedical limit
OTIP	$400 – $750 per year	Referral may apply
RTOERO	Up to $1,300 per year (80 % coverage)	Shared across 18 practitioners

Always confirm your exact maximum and per-visit limits on your plan statement.

3. What counts as an “eligible” massage therapy service?

Insurance companies only reimburse therapeutic massage provided by a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) who holds a valid Ontario registration number.

Non-therapeutic, spa, or relaxation massages are not eligible for reimbursement under most plans.
To ensure eligibility:
Your RMT must be licensed in Ontario.
The receipt must include – RMT name, registration #, date, duration, and fee.

4. How do I submit massage therapy claims?

There are two ways:

1️⃣ Direct Billing (Preferred)

Regain Rehab offers direct billing to major insurers including:

• Sun Life (Flex Direct)
• Canada Life
• Manulife
• Green Shield Canada (GSC)
• OTIP
• Blue Cross
  We bill your insurer directly, and you pay only the balance (if any).

2️⃣ Manual Reimbursement

If direct billing isn’t available, you can pay upfront and submit your receipt through your insurer’s online portal.

5. What does “Reasonable and Customary (R&C) Limit” mean?

This is the maximum amount your insurer considers reasonable for a given service in your region.
For instance, Sun Life may set the R&C limit for massage therapy at $90 per hour in Ontario.
If your therapist charges more, you must pay the difference.

Reference: Sun Life Focus Update – Paramedical Services

6. What’s the difference between therapeutic massage and relaxation massage?

Type	Description	Insurance Eligible?
Therapeutic Massage	Treats injury, pain, tension (registered RMT)	✅ Yes
Relaxation Massage	Non-clinical / spa based	❌ No

7. Which insurance companies cover massage therapy in Ontario?

Here are ten major insurers and plan types with details and reference links:

Insurer	Coverage Summary	Learn More
Sun Life Assurance Co.	RMTs under paramedical services; up to $500 / year depending on plan.	Sun Life Personal Health Insurance
Canada Life	Up to $500 / year; ~$50 per visit.	Canada Life Massage Therapy Insurance
Manulife	Included in extended health benefits; $350–$750 limit.	Manulife Health Insurance
Green Shield Canada	Paramedical benefit includes RMT services.	Green Shield Canada
OTIP	Paramedical services; referral may apply.	OTIP Paramedical Provider Guide
RTOERO	80 % coverage; $1,300 max shared across practitioners.	RTOERO Extended Health Care Plan
GroupHEALTH Benefits	Shared max (~$750/year) for paramedical services.	GroupHEALTH Paramedical Services
Dundas Life	Coverage via wellness plans; check for “therapeutic” definition.	Dundas Life – Massage Therapy Coverage
HealthQuotes.ca Aggregator	Lists provincial coverage ranges ($350–$750/year).	HealthQuotes.ca
RMTAO Info	Professional liability insurance for RMTs (credibility).	RMTAO Insurance Program

8. Can I combine massage therapy with other paramedical benefits?

Yes, some plans have a shared paramedical limit (e.g., $750/year total for massage, physio, acupuncture, etc.).
Always review whether your plan has a combined or separate maximum for each practitioner type.

9. Does Regain Rehab offer direct billing?

Yes. We provide direct billing to Sun Life, Manulife, Canada Life, Green Shield, OTIP, RTOERO, and most other major insurers.
Bring your policy number and member ID at your appointment.
We’ll handle the claim while you focus on recovery.

10. How can I confirm my massage therapy coverage?

Check online through your insurer’s portal:

• Sun Life – My Sun Life Login
• Canada Life – Group Net for Plan Members
• Manulife – Group Benefits Online
• Green Shield – GSC everywhere

Or call your insurer’s member services to ask:
Is massage therapy covered?
What’s my annual maximum?
Do I need a referral?
Can I use direct billing?

Need Help?

Regain Rehab Centre
📍 Brampton • Ontario
📞 (905) 793-9993
🌐 regainrehab.com

We’ll verify your benefits and help you maximize your coverage before you book your appointment.