What does a physiotherapist do?

Physiotherapists assist people to rehabilitate from an injury, surgery or disease, and to restore, gain, or maintain functional strength and mobility. Physiotherapy treatments involve education, exercise, manual therapy, and modalities such as ultrasound, electrotherapy agents, and acupuncture when indicated. The goal is to allow individuals to remain as active and independent as possible. Physiotherapists in Ontario must be registered with the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario.

I am a first-time patient, what should I expect?

The physiotherapist will need to ask some questions about your problem and may need to understand other health issues you have that could impact recovery. They will try to understand what your goals are, and they will explain how they will assess you. During the detailed assessment, the physiotherapist will need to look at the specific area, so wear clothing that will allow for easy access (i.e shorts for knee or foot, tank top for shoulder, yoga pants or joggers for low back). After the assessment, the physiotherapist will explain the assessment findings to help you better understand your impairment, and will discuss with you your treatment options, expected outcomes, and how long the treatment plan may take.

Do I need a Doctor’s referral for physiotherapy?

No, you can access physiotherapy without a Doctor’s referral, however, if you have health care coverage through an extended health care plan, you may need a doctor’s referral for reimbursement. Check with your insurance provider first to be sure the date of your referral (if required) is before the date of your first physiotherapy assessment.

Can you bill my extended health care insurance company directly?

No, unfortunately, we do not offer direct billing for our patients. There is a lot of variety among extended health plans, but you will easily be reimbursed if you have physiotherapy coverage, a doctor’s referral if required, and your receipt from us, which we provide upon payment. All of our practitioners are registered with their regulatory bodies.

What does my extended health care insurance plan cover?

If you are unsure of what your health care plan covers, we advise that you check with your coverage provider online, or call them if that is more convenient, prior to your initial assessment.

Do you do direct billing for motor vehicle accident claims?

Yes, we are registered with FSCO and HCAI to do direct billing in the case of a motor vehicle accident. Given that these cases are usually more complicated, we have longer initial assessment times and follow-up appointments in our online booking - please be sure to choose the appropriate appointment marked MVA. We will also need some insurance information before we can waive payment; this information is needed before your initial assessment (we will send you an email requesting the specific info needed), or we can reimburse you once we have spoken to your adjustor.

Will my benefits plan cover virtual appointments?

Under the current circumstances, most extended health coverage plans have made exceptions to allow their clients to access the care they need virtually - call them or check their website to be sure. Most extended health coverage plans that require a medical doctor's referral for physiotherapy have also waived this requirement, but double check before booking to be sure.