Physiotherapists are primary health care professionals so you do not require a doctor's referral to see one. In fact, most Canadians connect with local physiotherapists by direct access for health services.

In the hospital and for acute care situations, a consultation with a physiotherapist may originate with a physician or other member of your health care team.

Some extended health insurance plans may require a physician's referral in order to reimburse you for physiotherapist services.

Physiotherapists continue to advocate for your direct access to physiotherapy services throughout the Canadian health care system. Direct access to physiotherapy eliminates unnecessary referral, saves patients valuable time, improves patient health outcomes, and saves the health care system money by reducing extra billing for health professional visits that could otherwise have been avoided. 45

Information for employers on direct access to physiotherapy

We recommend that you use the Find a physiotherapist search function available through the Canadian Physiotherapy Association and its official provincial/territorial branches and divisions

Physiotherapists are considered primary health care professionals, similar to doctors or dentists, and their fees range from province to province and can vary with practice conditions.

Research shows less than 10 per cent of patients pay the full cost of physiotherapy services. For many Canadians, health insurance providers cover all cost or a portion of the cost of physiotherapist care.

Physiotherapists working in the private sector can bill directly to clients or to third-party payers such as private health insurance companies and workers' compensation boards. Provincial health plans may also cover all or part of the cost of physiotherapy services provided in the hospital or in community clinics.

If you are planning to see a physiotherapist in a private clinic, you may want to call your health insurance provider to confirm your level of coverage beforehand. If you'll be seeing a physiotherapist in a hospital clinic, the service may be paid in full or in part by your provincial health plan.

Each patient case is unique so ask your physiotherapist for the information you need about the cost of your care.

To become a physiotherapist, candidates must complete an entry-level Master's degree from a physical therapy education program at one of 14 accredited universities in Canada. Visit The Student Edge to find out more.

With your independence in mind, the physiotherapist's goal is to restore, maintain and maximize your strength, function, movement and overall well-being. Physiotherapists combine knowledge of how the body works with specialized hands-on clinical skills to assess, diagnose and treat symptoms of injury and disability.