How Much Does Virtual Physiotherapy Cost in Ontario?

The honest answer is: it depends on how your care is being paid for. Many people in Ontario pay little to nothing out of pocket because their physiotherapy is covered by WSIB, an auto insurance claim, or an extended health benefits plan. Others pay privately, session by session. Here's how to figure out where you fall and what to expect.

Is virtual physiotherapy covered by insurance in Ontario?

For a large share of patients, yes — coverage works the same way it does for in-person physiotherapy:

• WSIB claims. An approved WSIB claim for a work-related musculoskeletal injury is covered at 100%, with $0 owed by the worker. The physiotherapist bills WSIB directly, so there's no invoice to submit and no reimbursement to wait for.
• Auto insurance / motor vehicle accident claims. After a car accident, physiotherapy is generally billed to the accident-benefits insurer under your claim, not out of your own pocket, once the claim is set up.
• Extended health benefits. Most workplace and private extended health plans include a physiotherapy benefit, often with an annual dollar maximum. Virtual visits are typically eligible under the same benefit as in-person visits, though it's worth confirming your specific plan's wording.

If you're not sure which category applies to you, our insurance page walks through how each coverage type works, and the WSIB and auto insurance and extended health pages go deeper on those two paths specifically.

What if I don't have coverage?

If you don't have an active WSIB or auto claim and your extended health plan doesn't cover physiotherapy (or you don't have one), you can still book and pay privately, session by session. There's no referral required — physiotherapy is a direct-access profession in Ontario, meaning you can book an assessment without seeing a doctor first, including for most work-related claims.

Private pricing generally reflects:

• The type of visit. An initial assessment is usually priced differently than a follow-up treatment session, since it involves a more detailed history and examination.
• Session length. Longer sessions for more complex issues typically cost more than shorter follow-ups.
• The discipline. Physiotherapy, occupational therapy and kinesiology are each priced separately, since they involve different scopes of practice and session formats.

Does virtual care cost less than in-person physiotherapy?

Not necessarily in terms of the clinical fee itself — a virtual session with a registered physiotherapist is still a full, regulated appointment, billed accordingly. Where virtual care tends to save money is around the visit: no travel time or transit cost, no parking, and often less time away from work, which matters if you're managing appointments around a job or caregiving. For people in rural or northern Ontario, it can also mean avoiding a long drive to the nearest clinic altogether.

Does WSIB or auto insurance cover virtual sessions the same as in-person?

Yes. Virtual physiotherapy delivered by a registered Ontario physiotherapist meets the same College of Physiotherapists of Ontario standards as in-person care, and follows the same privacy protections under PHIPA. Coverage rules for WSIB and auto insurance are built around the type of service provided, not the format, so an approved claim covers virtual visits the way it covers in-person ones. For a WSIB claim specifically, this usually means your Form 6 (worker), Form 7 (employer) and Form 8 (physiotherapist) documentation, with the clinic billing WSIB directly for approved treatment.

How do I find out exactly what I'll pay before booking?

The most reliable way is to check your own coverage first:

• If you were hurt at work, confirm your WSIB claim number and claim status.
• If you were in a car accident, confirm your claim number with your auto insurer.
• If you have extended health benefits, check your plan booklet or call your provider to confirm your physiotherapy maximum and whether virtual visits are eligible.

Once your coverage type is clear, the cost — or lack of one — usually becomes clear too. If you're still not sure, it's reasonable to ask directly before your first appointment rather than guessing.

What services does this apply to?

Cost and coverage questions come up most often for physiotherapy, but the same general principles apply to occupational therapy and kinesiology — coverage depends on your specific plan or claim type rather than the discipline itself. If you're not sure which service fits your situation, our conditions page can help point you in the right direction, and our virtual physiotherapy overview explains how sessions work day to day.

Getting started

You don't need to have your coverage fully sorted out before booking — our team can help clarify how your specific situation is likely to be billed once you get started. If you're ready to see how virtual care fits your budget and your schedule, you can get started today.