If you’re considering working with a naturopathic doctor, one of the first practical questions is usually about cost and coverage. If you are wondering if a naturopath is covered by insurance? Here’s how it actually works in Ontario.
OHIP Does Not Cover Naturopathic Visits
A naturopath is not covered by insurance provided by the Government of Ontario. Naturopathic care is not an OHIP-insured service. This is true regardless of which naturopathic doctor you see; it’s a feature of how the provincial health insurance system is structured, not a reflection of whether naturopathic medicine is regulated or effective. Naturopathic doctors in Ontario are licensed, regulated healthcare professionals under the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA).
The RHPA is the same government regulation that governs doctors and nurses in Ontario. Compliance with these regulations is overseen by our regulatory body, the College of Naturopaths of Ontario (CONO), but ND visits fall outside the schedule of services that OHIP pays for, in the same way physiotherapy, massage therapy, chiropractic, and psychotherapy visits also are not covered by OHIP.
The Good News: Many Employee Benefits Plans Cover Visits With A Naturopath
Coverage most often comes from extended health benefits, either through an employer plan or a personal/individual plan. When a naturopath is covered by insurance, it is commonly included as a “paramedical” benefit category, similar to chiropractic or massage therapy coverage.
Coverage varies significantly by plan, so it’s worth checking your specific policy rather than assuming either way. When you call your insurer to ask if a naturopath is covered by insurance, these are the useful questions to ask:
- Is “naturopath” or “naturopathic doctor” listed as a covered paramedical service?
- Is there an annual maximum, and has any of it already been used yet this year?
- Is there a per-visit maximum?
- Is the entire visit cost with a naturopath covered by your insurance or only a percentage?
- Do you need a physician referral, or can you self-refer? A referral is almost never required.
- Is it ok to pay upfront and submit a receipt for reimbursement?
Covered by Insurance From an Employer Plans vs. Individual Plans
Coverage generally comes from one of two sources:
- Employer group benefits – often the more generous option, since employers negotiate the plan terms. Naturopathic coverage, if included, is usually listed under “paramedical services” alongside providers like chiropractors, massage therapists, and physiotherapists.
- Individual/personal health plans – purchased directly through an insurer, common for self-employed patients or those without workplace employee benefits. These plans vary widely in whether naturopathic care is included at all, so it’s worth confirming before purchasing a plan if this is a priority for you.
Watch for a “Combined Paramedical Maximum”
Some plans don’t give naturopathic care its own separate annual maximum. Instead, they set one combined maximum shared across several provider types (for example, one $500 annual cap split between chiropractic, massage, and naturopathic visits together). If you’re already using another paramedical service, it’s worth asking your insurer whether naturopathic visits draw from the same pool or have a dedicated allowance. That is, do you have $500 per year to see a naturopath, AND $500 per year to see a chiropractor AND $500 for massage therapy, or do you only have one $500 sum for all three?
What You’ll Need for Reimbursement
After each visit, you’ll receive a detailed receipt showing the naturopathic doctor’s registration number, the services provided, and the amount paid. This is what most insurers require to process a reimbursement claim. Keep copies for your records, particularly if you’re also using a Health Spending Account (HSA) or Health Care Spending Account (HCSA), which can often be used for naturopathic visits even when a traditional extended health plan has a lower annual maximum.
When A Naturopath Is Covered By Insurance: What This Doesn’t Cover
Insurance typically covers the visit fee for the appointment itself. Lab testing, supplements, and acupuncture (where billed separately) may or may not be included depending on your specific plan; check your policy wording for how it defines “naturopathic services.”
For current visit fees and what’s included at each appointment type, see Hours & Fees.
No Insurance, or Already Hit Your Maximum? The Medical Expense Tax Credit
If you don’t have extended health coverage, or you’ve used up your annual maximum, naturopathic visits may still be claimable on your income tax return. Since naturopathic doctors are regulated healthcare professionals under Ontario’s Naturopathy Act and the RHPA, fees paid to a licensed ND are generally eligible expenses under the CRA’s Medical Expense Tax Credit, the same category that covers costs like dental work, prescription drugs, or prescription glasses that fall outside standard health coverage.
This isn’t a substitute for tax advice; specifics depend on your income, province, and overall medical expenses for the year, so it’s worth confirming with your accountant or the CRA directly. But it’s a detail many patients don’t realize applies to naturopathic care, and it’s worth factoring in when weighing the real cost of naturopathic treatment.
“Naturopath” vs. “Naturopathic Doctor”: Why the Wording Matters for Claims
In Ontario, “Naturopathic Doctor” and “ND” are protected titles under the Regulated Health Professions Act; only practitioners registered with CONO can use them. Some insurance plans are written using this exact terminology, and claims can occasionally be delayed or questioned if the receipt or provider description doesn’t match the wording the plan expects. If you’re ever unsure how your plan defines an eligible provider, it’s worth checking the plan document for the specific term used, or asking your insurer directly before your appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions About If A Naturopath is Covered by Insurance
Does OHIP cover naturopathic doctor visits in Ontario?
No. Naturopathic care is not included in OHIP’s schedule of insured services, regardless of which licensed ND you see; no naturopath is covered by insurance through OHIP.
Is a naturopath covered by insurance through my employee benefits?
Many plans include naturopathic care under paramedical services, but coverage for naturopaths and functional medicine testing, and annual maximums all vary by plan. Check directly with your insurer before your first visit.
Do you offer direct billing?
A naturopath is covered by insurance through direct billing. At this time, I can direct bill many insurance plans IF you schedule an appointment on a Saturday at Health Haven Clinic. Weekday appointments need to be paid upfront and then submitted to your insurer for reimbursement.
Can I use my Health Spending Account (HSA) for naturopathic visits?
Many HSAs and HCSAs cover naturopathic services. Check your plan’s eligible expense list, as this is set by the plan administrator rather than being universal.
Does insurance cover lab testing ordered by a naturopathic doctor?
This depends entirely on your plan. Some cover lab testing under “medical testing,” “diagnostic testing,” or “lab testing”; others don’t cover testing costs at all, and specialty testing (sent to outside labs) is always billed separately from what insurance considers a “naturopathic visit.” Check your plan wording, or ask your insurer directly.
Do I need a referral from my family doctor to make an insurance claim?
Some plans require one, most don’t. This varies by insurer and plan type rather than being consistent across the industry, so it’s worth confirming with your specific provider before booking if a referral would affect your claim. A referral from a family doctor is almost never needed.
What is a “combined paramedical maximum,” and how does it affect my coverage?
It means your plan sets one shared annual cap across multiple provider types (for example, naturopathic, chiropractic, and massage combined) rather than a separate maximum for each. If you’re using other paramedical services, ask your insurer whether naturopathic visits draw from that same shared pool.
Can I claim naturopathic visits on my income tax if I don’t have insurance coverage?
Often yes. Fees paid to a CONO-registered naturopathic doctor are generally eligible under the CRA’s Medical Expense Tax Credit, since NDs are regulated healthcare professionals in Ontario. Confirm specifics with your accountant, as eligibility interacts with your total income and expenses for the year.
Is there a difference between “naturopath” and “naturopathic doctor” on my insurance claim?
Potentially, depending on how your plan is written. “Naturopathic Doctor” and “ND” are protected titles in Ontario, and some plans use that exact wording when defining eligible providers. If you’re unsure, check your plan document or ask your insurer.