Osteopathy and Insurance

The following information is relevant to insurance coverage for Osteopathy in British Columbia, Canada.  Our Osteopathic Society, the SPMPO, will continue to work with insurance companies to inform them of the long-term benefits of Osteopathy and treatment of acute pain for their members.  In the meantime, the best insurance for patients is their active interest and preventative maintenance in their own health using traditional and complementary medicine.  I am happy to notice many of my patients have already taken their health in their own hands, and have trusted their health in my hands.  Thank you.

Sun Life Insurance

As of April 1, 2010, we are pleased Sun Life Financial Group Benefits has expanded their coverage of Osteopathy.  Sun Life now recognizes Osteopathic practitioners holding a DO(MP) designation as eligible practitioners under the Osteopathic benefit.  As DO(MP) Osteopathic practitioners are more widely available across many communities in BC, this change will allow Sun Life members broader access to Osteopathy.  For more information, please go to Sun Life’s Osteopathic benefit coverage here.

Manulife Insurance

Manulife Insurance now includes coverage of many health services including Osteopath, chiropractor, massage therapist, naturopath, physiotherapist and other practitioners.  For more information, please go to Manulife’s health services coverage here.

Blue Cross Insurance

Blue Cross offers many health plans, such as Primary Blue,Blue Choice and Blue Chip, that consists of a core health plan which includes registered therapists and health practitioners.  Benefits are paid for visits to Osteopaths, acupuncturists, chiropractors, massage therapists, physiotherapists, registered dieticians and more.  Unlike massage or dieticians, Osteopathy does not require a referral by a physician for Blue Cross’s Blue Choice coverage.  For more information, please go to Blue Cross plan details here.

Green Shield Insurance

Green Shield Canada’s extended health benefit coverage recognizes Osteopathy is based on the theory that the body will produce the remedies necessary to protect it as long as the bones are aligned properly and do not press on the nerves.  Osteopaths treat patients using a combination of gentle stretching, massage and mobilizing joints to ease symptoms.  An Osteopath treats diseases by manipulation of the bones.  Commonly, patients visit the Osteopath to seek relief from back pain, stiff joints, headaches, arthritis, fatigue or digestive issues.  For more information, please go to GreenShield Canada’s Paramedical Practitioner Services here.

Great West Life Insurance

Great-West Life offer comprehensive health plans that cover out-of-hospital treatments, after provincial benefits have been paid, for paramedical services such as licensed Osteopaths, chiropractor, naturopath and podiatrist.  For more information, please go to Great-West Life's detailed coverage here.

Empire Life Insurance

Empire Life Insurance includes Osteopathy under their Extended Health Benefits.  For more information, please go to Empire Life Health Benefits here.

Dickson Wong

Osteopathic Practitioner

www.Holistic-MediZen.com