Is vestibular therapy covered by OHIP?
In Ontario, OHIP does not cover physiotherapy services provided in private clinics. Since vestibular rehabilitation is a specialized form of physiotherapy, it falls outside OHIP coverage in an outpatient setting. OHIP only covers physiotherapy for patients who are 65 or older and qualify under specific criteria, those who have been recently discharged from hospital, or those receiving treatment in a hospital-based outpatient clinic.
This means that most people seeking vestibular therapy at a private clinic will need to use extended health insurance or pay privately. The good news is that the majority of working Ontarians have some form of extended health coverage — and vestibular therapy is typically covered under those plans.
Extended health insurance
Most employer-sponsored health benefit plans in Ontario include physiotherapy coverage. Because vestibular rehabilitation is delivered by a registered physiotherapist, it qualifies as physiotherapy under virtually all major insurance plans.
If your plan covers physiotherapy, it covers vestibular therapy. There is no separate category or special approval required in most cases. The treatment is billed as physiotherapy, which is what it is.
Common insurers we work with include Sun Life, Manulife, Canada Life, Blue Cross, Desjardins, Green Shield, and many others.
How much does it cost?
Vestibular therapy fees are comparable to standard physiotherapy rates in the Burlington and Hamilton area. The cost per session will depend on the length and type of assessment or treatment provided. Many vestibular conditions, particularly BPPV, respond quickly to treatment and may only require one to three visits to resolve.
If you have questions about specific fees, contact us at 905-635-5711 before your appointment.
Direct billing
At Burlington Vestibular Therapy, we offer direct billing to most major insurance providers. This means you do not need to pay out of pocket and submit receipts for reimbursement — we can bill your insurer directly in most cases.
We will confirm your direct billing eligibility when you book your appointment. If direct billing is not available for your plan, we will provide you with a detailed receipt to submit to your insurer.
What you need to know about your plan
Before your first visit, it is helpful to check a few details about your extended health coverage:
- Annual maximum — Most plans have a yearly cap on physiotherapy coverage (for example, $500 or $1,000 per year). Check how much of this you have already used.
- Per-visit caps — Some plans limit the amount covered per individual visit rather than just the annual total. If your plan has a per-visit cap, you may have a small balance to pay at each appointment.
- Referral requirements — Ontario does not require a physician referral to see a physiotherapist, but some insurance plans do require one for reimbursement. Check whether your insurer needs a doctor's referral before your first visit. For more on this, see our guide on whether you need a referral.
- Coverage start date — If you recently started a new job, confirm that your benefits are active before booking.
If you are unsure about any of these details, your insurer's member services line (usually found on the back of your benefits card) can provide the answers quickly.
Motor vehicle accidents
If your dizziness, vertigo, or balance problems are the result of a motor vehicle accident, your vestibular therapy is covered under your automobile insurance policy. In Ontario, auto insurance includes coverage for rehabilitation services such as physiotherapy, regardless of fault.
You will need to have a treatment plan approved by your auto insurer. We can assist with the documentation and submission process to help ensure your treatment is approved without unnecessary delays.
WSIB coverage
If you sustained a workplace injury that has caused vestibular symptoms — for example, a head injury, concussion, or fall — your treatment may be covered through the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). Vestibular rehabilitation falls under the physiotherapy services that WSIB covers for approved claims.
You will need an active WSIB claim. Speak with your employer or WSIB case manager to confirm your eligibility, and we can take it from there.
No insurance?
If you do not have extended health coverage, vestibular therapy is still accessible. As mentioned, many vestibular conditions resolve quickly. BPPV, the most common cause of vertigo, often responds to treatment within one to three sessions. This makes out-of-pocket costs manageable for many patients, even without insurance.
We are happy to discuss your situation and help you understand the likely number of visits based on your condition. To learn more about the assessment process, see our guide on what to expect at your first visit.
Book your assessment
Whether you are using insurance, auto coverage, WSIB, or paying privately, Burlington Vestibular Therapy is here to help you get the right diagnosis and treatment for your vestibular symptoms.
Book your vestibular assessment online or call us at 905-635-5711.