Key takeaways.
Registered massage therapy at Medstar can be paid by a work health plan, ICBC, WorkSafeBC, or for eligible people, MSP. The clinic bills most of them directly.
- Work health plans: billed directly for most major insurers.
- ICBC: 12 massage treatments in the first 12 weeks after a crash, no referral, free for the patient at Medstar.
- WorkSafeBC: needs an accepted claim and a doctor's referral, billed to WorkSafeBC.
- MSP: partial payment for eligible groups only, 10 visits a year shared across several services.
- Plans and ICBC pay for visits with a registered massage therapist, which is who you see at Medstar.
The four ways to pay, side by side.
Work health plan
Who: Anyone with extended health coverage through work, a union or a private plan.
You need: Your plan details. Some plans also want a doctor's note.
How it works: Billed directly by Medstar for most major insurers. You pay any part not covered.
ICBC
Who: Anyone hurt in a BC car crash, whoever caused it.
You need: Claim number and Personal Health Number. No referral.
How it works: 12 treatments in the first 12 weeks, each at least 45 minutes. Free for the patient at Medstar.
WorkSafeBC
Who: Workers with an accepted claim for a work injury.
You need: Accepted claim and a doctor's referral.
How it works: Assessment plus up to 6 treatments in the first 8 weeks without asking first. Billed to WorkSafeBC.
MSP
Who: Eligible groups only, such as people who qualify by income.
You need: Eligibility for MSP supplementary benefits.
How it works: Partial payment, up to 10 visits a calendar year, shared with physio, chiro and others.
Work health plans.
Many people pay for massage through extended health benefits from work. Plans usually pay a share of each visit up to a yearly limit. Some also set a maximum per visit or ask for a doctor's note. Your plan booklet or online account has the details.
Medstar bills most major insurers directly. At the end of the visit, the clinic sends the claim and you pay only what the plan does not cover. If your insurer does not accept direct billing, you pay and claim it yourself with the receipt. If you are covered by two plans, such as your own and a partner's, the second plan may pay part of what the first does not. Bring both sets of details.
Plans pay for visits with a registered massage therapist. Massage therapists in BC are regulated by the College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC, which keeps a public register you can search.
ICBC after a car crash.
Since May 2021, ICBC's Enhanced Care covers everyone for treatment in the 12 weeks after a crash, whoever caused it. In that time you are pre-approved for 12 registered massage therapy treatments. You do not need a referral from a doctor or approval from ICBC. You need your ICBC claim number and your Personal Health Number.
ICBC sets a minimum treatment time of 45 minutes of one-on-one care for massage. At Medstar, the ICBC first visit is 60 minutes and follow-ups are 45 minutes, and these visits are free for the patient. The same 12 weeks also include 25 physiotherapy and 12 kinesiology treatments, which can run alongside massage.
If you paid for treatment yourself, ICBC asks you to submit the receipt within 180 days to be paid back at its approved rates. After 12 weeks, more treatment goes through your ICBC recovery specialist. See our full guide to massage under ICBC and the ICBC hub.
WorkSafeBC after a work injury.
WorkSafeBC sets these rules for massage therapy:
- Your claim must be accepted.
- You need a doctor's referral before massage starts.
- The therapist can give an assessment and up to six treatments in the first eight weeks from the date of injury without asking first.
- Treatment after eight weeks needs WorkSafeBC approval.
- Only the injured area accepted on the claim is treated, and WorkSafeBC pays for one treatment per day at most.
- The clinic bills WorkSafeBC directly and does not bill you.
If your claim is accepted after you have started paying, WorkSafeBC asks the therapist to pay you back and bill WorkSafeBC instead. Our WorkSafeBC guide covers claim numbers and deadlines.
MSP supplementary benefits.
MSP pays part of the cost of massage therapy for some people only. Eligible groups include people who qualify based on their income, people on income assistance, people receiving the Guaranteed Income Supplement, and some others listed by the province. The limit is 10 visits each calendar year, shared across massage therapy, physiotherapy, chiropractic, acupuncture, naturopathy and non-surgical podiatry. MSP pays part of each visit, and the provider may charge the rest. Ask the front desk how this works at Medstar.
Use your coverage before it resets.
Check whether unused massage coverage carries over in your plan. Some plans reset on January 1 and others on a date set by the employer's policy. If you have money left near the end of your plan year and tight muscles that need work, booking before the reset uses money that would otherwise expire. Choosing the right session length helps the money last for more visits.
Coverage questions.
Does Medstar direct bill massage therapy?
Yes. Medstar bills most major work health plans directly for registered massage therapy, so you pay only the part your plan does not cover at the end of the visit. The clinic also bills ICBC and WorkSafeBC directly. Bring your plan details to your first visit. If your insurer is not set up for direct billing, you pay and the clinic gives you a receipt to submit.
Does ICBC pay for massage therapy after a car crash?+
Yes. Under Enhanced Care, ICBC pre-approves 12 registered massage therapy treatments in the first 12 weeks after a crash, whoever caused it. You need no doctor's referral and no approval from ICBC, only your claim number and Personal Health Number. Each treatment must include at least 45 minutes of one-on-one time. Medstar's ICBC massage visits are free for the patient.
What happens after my 12 ICBC massage treatments are used?+
If you still need massage after the 12 pre-approved treatments or after 12 weeks, your massage therapist and your ICBC recovery specialist discuss whether more treatment is needed. ICBC decides based on your progress and the treatment plan. Keep your recovery specialist up to date, and tell the clinic early if you think you will need more, so there is no gap in care.
Does WorkSafeBC pay for massage therapy?+
Yes, with conditions. Your claim must be accepted and you need a doctor's referral. The massage therapist can then give an assessment and up to six treatments within the first eight weeks from the date of injury without asking WorkSafeBC first. Treatment beyond eight weeks needs approval. WorkSafeBC pays for one treatment per day at most, and only for the injured area on your claim.
Do I pay anything for massage on a WorkSafeBC claim?+
No. WorkSafeBC tells massage therapists to bill WorkSafeBC directly and not to bill the injured worker. If you paid for massage before your claim was accepted, WorkSafeBC asks the therapist to pay you back for those treatments and then bill WorkSafeBC. Keep your receipts until your claim is decided, and tell the clinic your claim number as soon as you have it.
Does MSP cover massage therapy in BC?+
Only for some people. MSP supplementary benefits give partial payment for massage therapy to eligible groups, such as people who qualify by income, people on income assistance, and people receiving the Guaranteed Income Supplement. The limit is 10 visits each calendar year, combined across massage, physiotherapy, chiropractic, acupuncture, naturopathy and non-surgical podiatry. Most people use a work health plan instead.
Do I need a doctor's note for my health plan to pay for massage?+
Some plans ask for one. Check your plan booklet or call your insurer before your first visit, because a missing note can mean a claim is refused. ICBC does not need a referral for the pre-approved treatments. WorkSafeBC does need a doctor's referral before it pays for massage. The clinic can tell you what your insurer returned after a direct bill.
When does my massage coverage reset?+
It depends on your plan. Some work health plans reset on January 1, and others reset on a date set by your employer's policy. MSP supplementary benefits count visits by calendar year. If you have coverage left near the end of your plan year, booking before it resets lets you use money that would otherwise expire. Your plan booklet or online account shows the date.
Can I use my partner's health plan for massage too?+
Often, yes. If you are covered under your own plan and your partner's plan, many insurers let you claim what your own plan does not pay from the second plan. This is called coordination of benefits. Bring both sets of plan details to the clinic. The order and rules depend on your insurers, so check with them if you are unsure.
Why does this page not list prices?+
Medstar does not publish prices on its website, because fees and plan rules change and a page can fall out of date. Current fees for each massage length are shown when you book online, and the front desk can tell you what your plan is likely to pay. ICBC massage visits at Medstar are free for the patient, and WorkSafeBC is billed directly.
Sources.
Checked November 5, 2026.
- ICBC. Accessing treatment during your first 12 weeks of recovery (pre-approved treatments table, treatments April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027).
- WorkSafeBC. Massage therapists: key guidelines for treating injured workers.
- Government of BC. MSP supplementary benefits.
- College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC. Public practitioner search.
Registered massage therapy at 1325 Marine Drive
Book with Kevin, or call and ask whether massage fits your problem.
Reviewed by Kevin Herter, RMT, Registered Massage Therapist at Medstar Sport Physio & Health, who provides massage therapy at the clinic.
This page gives general information and is not medical advice. Whether massage suits you is decided at your visit, after your history and health questions. If you have chest pain, sudden weakness, a sudden severe headache, or a swollen, hot, painful calf, call 911 or go to Lions Gate Hospital emergency. Massage therapists in BC are regulated by the College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC, where you can check any therapist's registration.