November in Victoria means shorter days, wet commutes and, for a lot of people, a nagging sore back, stiff neck or old injury that never quite got dealt with this year. It’s also the time of year when many people realize they still have extended health benefits sitting unused.
If you’ve been meaning to get something checked, the last couple of months of the year can be a practical time to do it. Here’s a plain-language guide to how extended health benefits commonly work, how to check what you have left, and how our team can help you use your coverage for the care you actually need.
What are extended health benefits?
Extended health benefits are the coverage many people get through an employer, union, school or private plan. They often help pay for services that MSP doesn’t fully cover, such as physiotherapy, chiropractic care, registered massage therapy, acupuncture and, on some plans, kinesiology or counselling.
Every plan is different. Most set an annual dollar maximum (or a number of visits) for each type of practitioner, and many pay a percentage of each visit rather than the full cost. Some plans also include a health spending account that can be used toward a wider range of health expenses.
Why the end of the year matters
Many plans run on the calendar year, so the yearly maximums reset on January 1. Others reset on a policy anniversary date, such as the start of your employer’s plan year. In most cases, unused per-practitioner amounts don’t carry over to the next year. Health spending accounts can have different carry-forward rules, so it’s worth checking yours.
That doesn’t mean you should book care you don’t need. Treatment should always be based on your health and goals, not just on what your plan will pay for. But if you’ve had a problem you’ve been putting off, knowing your coverage may make it easier to finally get it looked at.
Common reasons people book before year-end
- Back or neck pain that keeps coming back, especially with more desk time and less activity in the darker months
- An old sports or running injury that still flares up
- Headaches or jaw tension that seem linked to stress, posture or sleep
- Getting ready for winter activities like skiing at Mt. Washington, hockey or a new gym routine
- Foot or heel pain and questions about whether custom orthotics might help
- Recovering after surgery, a fall or a car accident and wanting a structured plan
- General muscle tension and stress heading into a busy holiday season
Tips to make the most of your benefits
- Check your balance. Log in to your insurer’s app or member website, or call them, to see how much you have left for each type of practitioner and when your plan year resets.
- Ask about referrals. We don’t require a doctor’s referral to book, but some insurance plans do for certain services, most often massage therapy. Check before your visit so your claim goes through smoothly.
- Know your percentage and per-visit limits. Some plans pay 80% or 100% of a visit; others cap each visit at a set amount. Knowing this helps you plan.
- Coordinate with a spouse’s plan. If you’re covered under more than one plan, you may be able to submit the remaining balance to the second plan. Your insurer can explain how this works for you.
- Keep your receipts. Even with direct billing, it’s a good idea to keep receipts for your records and for any amounts you submit yourself.
- Book early. December calendars fill up quickly with holidays and travel, so booking ahead gives you more choice of times and practitioners.
When to get checked
Whether or not you have benefits left, it’s a good idea to book an assessment if:
- Pain or stiffness has lasted more than a couple of weeks or keeps coming back
- It’s affecting your sleep, work, workouts or daily activities
- You’ve had a recent injury and aren’t sure what’s safe to do
- You’re starting a new sport or activity and want guidance on getting ready
- You’ve been managing on your own and aren’t seeing progress
When to seek urgent care
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have:
- Chest pain, shortness of breath or pain spreading into your arm or jaw
- Sudden weakness, numbness, facial drooping, slurred speech or confusion
- Loss of bladder or bowel control, or numbness in the groin or inner thighs
- Severe pain after a fall or crash, or a suspected broken bone
- Back pain with fever, unexplained weight loss or a history of cancer
- A sudden, severe headache unlike any you’ve had before
How our team can help
At Diversified Health Clinic in the Mosaic Building on Fort Street, several disciplines work under one roof, so your care can be coordinated and adjusted as your needs change. Depending on your assessment, your plan may include:
- Physiotherapy: assessment, manual therapy, exercise programs and IMS, plus vestibular and pelvic floor physiotherapy.
- Chiropractic care: assessment, joint mobilization or adjustments when appropriate, soft tissue work and home exercises. Shockwave and spinal decompression may be options for some conditions.
- Registered massage therapy: hands-on care that can help ease muscle tension and support recovery.
- Acupuncture: can be part of a plan to help manage pain and tension.
- Kinesiology and active rehab: guided exercise in our rehab space to build strength and confidence for work, sport and daily life.
- Custom orthotics: a foot and gait assessment to see whether orthotics are a good fit for you. Many plans cover orthotics separately, sometimes with a prescription requirement.
- Medical doctor and clinical counselling: support for ongoing pain and for the stress that can come with it.
Direct billing makes it simpler. We bill most extended health plans and ICBC directly, so you often pay only what your plan doesn’t cover. Our front desk can also help you check what your plan covers before your visit. See our Fees & Insurance and Direct Billing & Insurance Coverage pages for details.
Not sure where to start? Our guides to low back pain and neck pain and “tech neck” are a good place to begin.
Book before the new year
If something has been bothering you this year, we’re here to help you sort it out. We’re open 7am to 7pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 4pm on Saturday. Book online at diversifiedhealth.ca or call us at 250-382-0018, and our team can help you check your coverage.
This article is general information and isn’t a substitute for an individual assessment or advice from your insurer. Coverage varies by plan, so please confirm the details of your benefits with your provider.