FAQ
Q. How can Telehealth benefit me?
A great portion of Physiotherapy is providing the patient with proper education about their physical condition. Understanding how the body functions is the first step in understanding what the body needs to recover. Telehealth engages the physical therapist with the patient in a secure, direct connection to promote the following:
- Education
- Active exercise
- Functional progression
- Self management
- Self mobilization
- Monitoring (such as for external signs of swelling, redness, etc.)
We recognize that many of our patients benefited from and have come to expect a more hands on approach via manual therapy and the use of modalities, however at this time, as the COVID-19 pandemic evolves, we are happy to provide this service as an alternative to in-clinic sessions.
Q. What should I know before my first appointment?
Q. What should I know before my first appointment?
Q. What should I know before my first appointment?
Q. Do I require a doctor’s referral?
Q. What should I know about subsequent appointments?
Q. What should I know about my kinesiology appointment?
Q. Is there coverage for the cost of my visit?
Q. What is the difference between a physiotherapist & a kinesiologist?
Q. What are the fees?*
Q. What should I know before my first appointment?
What to expect: Your first appointment in our clinic will consist of a thorough assessment by one of our Physiotherapists. The assessment may include a brief medical history, a detailed report from you of the mechanism of your injury or illness, a biomechanical assessment, a test of your ranges of motion and strength.
What to wear: You will want to wear clothing that you are going to feel comfortable moving in and that will allow the therapist to examine your injured body part. For example, you may want to wear a tank top if they need to examine your shoulder and shorts or loose fitting pants if they need to examine your knee. However, there are always shorts and gowns available in the clinic if you have forgotten.
Time it will take: We ask that you arrive 15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment to allow sufficient time to fill out our new patient registration forms. You can expect your first scheduled appointment may last approximately 60 minutes. Please note that our therapists are dedicated to providing the best care to all patients, and you may be subject to wait until they are ready for you. Additionally, depending on your injury, the therapists may spend more time than scheduled to address all of your concerns. If you are running late, or need to be out of the office by a certain time, please advise the front desk staff as soon as possible.
What to bring: If your appointment is the result of a motor vehicle or workplace accident and you are making a claim with either ICBC or WorkSafeBC BC, please bring all your claim information with you, including your claim number, the date of your accident, the name of your contact with ICBC or WorkSafeBC. For WorkSafeBC claims you will also need the name and contact information of a representative for your employer with whom we can discuss physical job demands and return to work plans.
Where to go: We are located inside the Mission Leisure Centre at the corner of 7th Avenue and Grand Street. If you enter the MLC via the main entrance, continue past the MLC’s front desk, look right towards the windows that look out onto the pool deck. There are doors to the pool viewing area and our doors are right across from them. If you have difficulty walking and you do not have anyone accompanying you to your appointment for assistance, please let us know when you schedule your appointment, we will let you know what options are available.
Q. Do I require a doctor’s referral?
A doctor’s referral is not required for private treatment in our clinic. However, you may want to confirm your insurance provider does not require a referral if you are planning on submitting a receipt for reimbursement using your extended health benefits. If your doctor has written a referral for physiotherapy, your therapist will like to see what comments your doctor has made. Finally, a doctor’s referral is required in order to request coverage be approved if you have a claim with ICBC.
Q. What should I know about subsequent appointments?
What to expect: Subsequent appointments may involve a mini-assessment to see how you have progressed since the last visit, a treatment using one of the multiple modalities available, a review of any stretches or exercises given at the last visit and possibly a progression of those exercises.
Time it will take: Subsequent visits may still take 30-60 minutes, depending on your injury.
Q. What should I know about my kinesiology appointment?
What to expect: Your first appointment with a kinesiologist will likely involve an assessment of your current functional abilities and the start of a plan to improve those abilities. You will likely be given a home program to work on until you see the kinesiologist again. Kinesiology sessions can take place in our clinic, in the MLC fitness facilities, pool or even outside.
What to wear: Kinesiology sessions can take place anywhere in and around the Mission Leisure Centre. Your kinesiologist may hold your session:
In the pool: athletic-type bathing suit, towel, $.50 for a locker
In the MLC Fitness area: Workout attire must be worn while using the fitness areas. Recommended attire includes sweat pants or shorts, T-shirts, tanks or sweat shirts (Jeans are not permitted), athletic footwear (Open-toed shoes are not permitted).
In our clinic: We recommend similar attire as the fitness area, however, we can accommodate you if you have not brought all your fitness attire.
Outside: Comfortable clothing and footwear appropriate for the weather conditions
Where to go: Your kinesiology session will always start with you checking in at our clinic. This way we can check you in, provide you with a pass if necessary to access the MLC facilities, introduce you to your kinesiologist if you have not worked with them before, show you where you can store any valuables you may not want to keep on you during your session, and direct you to where your session will take place.
Q. Is there coverage for the cost of my visit?
Private insurance: Physiotherapy is covered by most health benefit plans. It is your responsibility to know the details of your coverage. One thing to note is that some insurance providers require a doctor’s referral. We will provide you with a detailed receipt you can submit to your insurer to request reimbursement.
We direct bill the following insurance companies:
- Canadian Construction Workers Union
- Chamber of Commerce
- CINUP
- ClaimSecure
- Cowan
- Desjardins Insurance
- Empire Life
- First Canadian
- GMS 49
- GMS 50
- Great West Life
- Greenshield Canada
- GroupHEALTH
- GroupSource
- Industrial Alliance
- Johnson Inc.
- Johnson Group Inc.
- LiUNA Local 183
- LiUNA Local 506
- Manion
- Manulife
- Maximum Benefit
- Pacific Blue Cross
- Including: Medavie Blue Cross
- SSQ Insurance
- Sun Life Financial
- TELUS AdjudiCare
MSP: For those clients who receive premium assistance or who have aboriginal status there may be some coverage through MSP. You will be required to pay a user fee for each treatment you receive in our clinic. For more information about the supplementary healthcare benefits available through MSP when you are on premium assistance, go to http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/health-drug-coverage/msp/bc-residents/benefits/services-covered-by-msp/supplementary-benefits.
ICBC: If you are in the early accesss period (84 days from the date of your MVA is your end date or if you have used all your visits) of your claim (effective May 1, 2021) you have 25 physiotherapy visits and 12 kinesiology visits. If you are past the 84 days or it is an older claim, have had treatment in another clinic, you need to contact your adjustor/lawyer. You may also require an update doctor’s note specifically requesting treatment related to your motor vehicle accident. If your claim is over 60 days old and you have not yet received treatment for your injuries, you will likely need an updated doctors note. We direct bill ICBC for the full cost of your visit. Please note that if your claim is pending and we have not yet received formal (written or email) approval, you will be responsible for all incurred fees at the private cost. See Pricing.
WorkSafeBC: If you have coverage with WorkSafe BC, we can bill WorkSafeBC directly. If your claim is still pending, or is over 60 days old, we will need to confirm coverage with your Case Manager prior to providing direct billed treatment. If you would like to come in for an appointment prior to receiving approval, you will be responsible for all the incurred fees at the private cost. See pricing.
Please note, if for any reason, the fees for your visit do not get covered by Private Insurance, MSP, ICBC or WorkSafe, you will be responsible to pay the private rate for your visit(s)
Missed or short notice cancellations: We do require one business days’ notice to cancel or reschedule an appointment. If no notice is given there will be a charge of $40. Third party payers will NOT cover this cost and we will collect it directly from you.
Q. What is the difference between a physiotherapist & a kinesiologist?
Physiotherapists are licenced professionals. Physiotherapy is the assessment and treatment of physical function, for the purpose of promoting good physical function and the relief of pain. Treatments can include education, exercise, physical techniques, electrical modalities, taping, and more.
Kinesiologists study the anatomy, physiology and mechanics of body movement. Our accredited kinesiologists are human movement specialists. Their role is to evaluate physical activity-related matters and recommend solutions in health, exercise, rehabilitation and sport. Kinesiology may become part of your physiotherapy treatment plan and will involve an education in movement and exercise.
Q. What are the fees?*
Initial visit | Subsequent visits | |
Private Physiotherapy | $85 | $70 |
ICBC fee (physiotherapy or kinesiology) | We directly bill ICBC, there is no additional fee. | For accident dates after April 1, 2019. 25 physiotherapy and 12 kinesiology visits are pre-approved within the first 12 weeks of your accident date. For treatment beyond this a physician’s note maybe required. For any clarification please contact our excellent front desk staff. |
MSP physiotherapy | $40 | $40 |
MSP kinesiology | $40 | $40 |
RCMP, DVA | We can bill directly to your insurance provider | |
Worksafe BC | As long as you have a pending claim and your injury occurred in the last 60 days, Worksafe will cover the cost of your initial assessment | With an approved claim, we can bill at least 6 weeks of treatment directly to Worksafe and can request further treatment if necessary |
Women’s Health | $105 | $80 |
Kinesiology (Active Rehab program) | $75 per session (initial) and $70 (subsequent) visits. Contact clinic to discuss assessment and reporting fees |
Report/note/employer or insurance forms | Please let reception know you what you require prior to your appointment to allow adequate time and to discuss the fee |
Missed or short notice cancellations: We do require one business days’ notice to cancel or reschedule an appointment.
If an appointment is cancelled with less than 1 business day’s notice: A $40 cancellation fee will be applied unless it is the first ‘offence’ in 6 months and there is a valid excuse such as illness.
If an appointment is missed: All future appointments may be cancelled. A $40 cancellation fee will be applied. Further appointments can be scheduled after the cancellation fee is paid (either by phone using Visa or MC, or in person using Debit or cash; 3rd party payers do not cover cancellation fees).
*We are currently able to take assignment of benefits from some private insurance providers* Please contact our office for more information. For all other extended health benefits that cover physiotherapy, we are more than happy to provide you with a receipt to submit to your insurance provider for reimbursement.
* fees are subject to change