Plain language guide, updated September 2026
Does OHIP Cover Physiotherapy?
Yes, at funded clinics, if you're 65 or older, 19 or under, or on Ontario Works or ODSP. It also covers physio to recover from an overnight hospital stay or day surgery in the last 12 months.
Rules checked on ontario.ca · We don't bill OHIP · Free first visit for new patients
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- No Referral Needed
- Direct Billing Available
- Open Evenings and Sundays
- WSIB and Car Accident Claims
Who Qualifies for OHIP-Funded Physio
Funded clinics are part of Ontario's Community Physiotherapy Clinic program. You need a valid Ontario health card unless you're on Ontario Works or ODSP (the Ontario Disability Support Program).
| Your situation | Does Ontario pay? | Where to go |
|---|---|---|
| 65 or older | Yes | A funded clinic |
| 19 or under | Yes | A funded clinic |
| Any age, after an overnight hospital stay or day surgery in the last 12 months | Yes, for the problem you were in hospital for | A funded clinic |
| Any age, on Ontario Works or ODSP | Yes, and no health card is needed | A funded clinic |
| 65 or older and need physio at home or in a retirement home | Yes, if you qualify for home care | Call Ontario Health atHome at 1-833-515-1234 |
| 18 or older and living in a long-term care home | Yes, if the physiotherapist says you need it | Ask the doctor or nurse practitioner on staff |
| 20 to 64 and none of the above | No | Pay on your own or use your benefits |
| Hurt at work or in a car accident | No. WSIB or your car insurance pays instead. | A clinic that takes your claim |
At a funded clinic, care is for a recent illness, injury, accident, surgery or flare-up that made it harder to move. The clinic checks that you qualify at your first visit.
How to Get Funded Physio at a Clinic
Find a funded clinic
Open the province's list of funded clinics and click on your Ontario Health region.
Call to bookNo referral
Since April 1, 2024, you don't need a referral from a doctor or nurse practitioner. You can call the clinic yourself.
Ask about the wait
The province says wait times vary, and clinics sort their wait lists by how urgent each case is. If there's a wait, you can stay on the list, try another funded clinic, use benefits or pay on your own.
Bring your health card
A physiotherapist checks that you qualify. If you do, there's no fee, and you get a plan with goals, such as walking to the store again.
Visits follow your plan
There is no set number of visits. Care ends when you meet your goals or can carry on at home, or if more physio would not help.
Physio After Surgery or a Hospital Stay
Had an overnight hospital stay or day surgery in the last 12 months? A funded clinic can treat the problem you were in hospital for. Day surgery means you go home the same day. This rule works at any age.
After a total hip, knee or shoulder replacement, ask about bundled care. Hospitals that offer it link you with partner clinics for your physio. The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario says this physio is at no cost to you.
Some people do their physio in a hospital outpatient program instead. Before you go home, ask your surgical team what is set up for you. Our pages on knee replacement and hip replacement explain rehab after those operations. For other operations, see rehab after surgery.
Physio at Home or in Long-Term Care
If you're 65 or older and need physio in your own home or a retirement home, call Ontario Health atHome at 1-833-515-1234. It arranges home care in Ontario. Until June 2024, it was called Home and Community Care Support Services. If you qualify, the province pays. If you're under 65, you can still call to ask what help you can get at home.
In a long-term care home, residents aged 18 or older get physio through the home. Ask the doctor or nurse practitioner on staff. They can refer you to a physiotherapist, who decides if you need physio.
Rules for Seniors and Children
Both groups qualify by age with a valid Ontario health card. At a funded clinic, the care is for a recent problem or a flare-up that made it harder to move.
Seniors 65 and older
You can get funded physio at a clinic, and also at home or in long-term care if you qualify. For exercise and falls prevention classes near you, call the Seniors' INFOline at 1-888-910-1999.
Physio for seniorsChildren and teens 19 and under
A parent or guardian can call a funded clinic to book, with no referral. From age 20, one of the other rules must apply.
What OHIP Doesn't Cover
If your situation isn't on the province's list, it won't pay for your physio. The funded program also leaves out these cases.
- Adults aged 20 to 64 who don't fit any group in the table above.
- Care to keep you at the level you're at now, or long-term rehab.
- Recovery that needs its own program, such as after a stroke or heart attack.
- Physio that WSIB, car insurance or another government program (such as home care) already pays for.
- Your first assessment, if you turn out not to qualify. You may have to pay for it.
When a Private Clinic May Make Sense
If you qualify, a funded clinic costs you nothing. Interlink is a private clinic in Ancaster and doesn't bill OHIP. A private clinic may suit you in these cases.
You don't qualify
You can pay on your own or use your work or private benefits.
You want to keep going
Funded care ends when you meet your goals or can carry on at home. Some people want more visits after that.
You need a time that fits your day
We're open Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 8:00pm, and Sunday from 11:00am to 4:00pm.
Evening and Sunday physioYou have benefits or a claim
We bill most insurers directly. Approved WSIB and car accident claims cost you $0.
Your first visit is free for new patients: a full assessment and your first treatment. It's never billed to your insurer, and there's no obligation to continue. Follow-ups are $95 for 30 minutes, one on one with a registered physiotherapist. See fees and coverage for more.
What to Bring or Ask
Use this list at a funded clinic or at ours.
- Your Ontario health card. You don't need it for funded physio if you're on Ontario Works or ODSP.
- The date of your hospital stay or day surgery, and what it was for.
- Any papers or exercises from the hospital or your surgeon.
- A list of the medicines you take.
- Ask a funded clinic: Do I qualify? How long is the wait? Will I pay for the assessment if I don't qualify?
- Ask your insurer: How much physio does my plan cover? Do I need a doctor's note?
- Hurt at work or in a car accident? Bring your claim number if you have one.
OHIP and Physiotherapy FAQs
Does OHIP cover physiotherapy after surgery?
Yes, if you had day surgery or an overnight hospital stay in the last 12 months. A funded clinic can treat the problem you were in hospital for, at any age. After a hip, knee or shoulder replacement, ask your hospital about bundled care.
Does OHIP cover physiotherapy for seniors?
Yes. With a valid health card, people 65 and older can get funded physio for a recent problem that made it harder to move. For physio at home, call Ontario Health atHome at 1-833-515-1234.
Do I need a referral for OHIP physiotherapy?
No. Since April 1, 2024, you don't need a referral from a doctor or nurse practitioner. You can call a funded clinic yourself.
How many OHIP physio visits do I get?
There is no set number. Your physiotherapist plans your visits around your goals and progress. You can be treated for more than one problem at the same time.
Does OHIP cover physio for kids?
Yes. With a valid health card, children and teens aged 19 or under can get funded physio for a recent problem that made it harder to move.
Is WSIB or car insurance physio covered by OHIP?
No. WSIB pays for approved care after a work injury, and your auto insurance pays after a car accident. At our clinic, approved WSIB and car accident claims cost you $0.
Does Interlink Physiotherapy bill OHIP?
No, we're a private clinic. Your first visit is free for new patients, and follow-ups are $95 for 30 minutes. Our fees and coverage page explains insurance.
Book Your Free First Visit
You're welcome here whether or not you qualify for funded physio. We're on Mohawk Road in Ancaster, with free parking right outside the door.
New patients only · Never billed to your insurer · No referral needed
Official Sources for This Guide
- Government of Ontario. Get physiotherapy. ontario.ca, updated May 4, 2026. Link
- Government of Ontario. Physiotherapy clinics (government-funded). ontario.ca, updated February 3, 2026. Link
- Government of Ontario. Publicly funded physiotherapy clinic locations. ontario.ca, updated July 10, 2025. Link
- Ontario Ministry of Health. INFOBulletin 251004: Community Physiotherapy Clinic program changes. ontario.ca, October 16, 2025. Link
- Government of Ontario. Home and community care. ontario.ca, updated May 5, 2026. Link
- Government of Ontario. Connected Care Update: June 21, 2024 (Ontario Health atHome). ontario.ca, 2024. Link
- Ontario Ministry of Health. Ontario Community Physiotherapy Clinic Program: Patient Information. 2024 version, posted by South Bruce Grey Health Centre. Link
- College of Physiotherapists of Ontario. Government-Funded (OHIP) Physiotherapy. collegept.org, updated May 22, 2026. Link
- Rehabilitative Care Alliance. Bundled Care. rehabcarealliance.ca. Link
This guide gives general information. The province and your insurer decide what applies to you.
This guide is current as of September 2026. Rules can change, so check ontario.ca before you book.
Reviewed by Dhiman Patel, MScPT, registered with the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario. Last reviewed 23 September 2026.