The short answer on cost.
TECAR therapy cost and insurance coverage follow the physiotherapy visit that includes it, with no separate fee, and Medstar direct-bills most extended health plans, ICBC, and WorkSafeBC where the plan or claim allows.
- There is no separate fee for TECAR. It is delivered inside a physiotherapy appointment and shows on your receipt as physiotherapy, so you pay the normal physiotherapy fee for the visit.
- If your extended health plan covers physiotherapy, it covers the visit that includes TECAR. We direct-bill most extended health insurers, ICBC, and WorkSafeBC where the plan or claim allows it.
- For current physiotherapy fees and to confirm direct billing for your plan, call the clinic at (604) 988-5411 before your first visit.
Why there is no separate TECAR charge.
TECAR is a tool a physiotherapist may use during a treatment session, in the same way they might use hands-on techniques or guided exercise. It is not a standalone product you buy on its own. Because of that, the appointment is billed as a physiotherapy visit and your receipt reads physiotherapy, with no extra TECAR line added on top.
In practice this keeps things simple. You pay the normal physiotherapy fee for the visit, and whether the physiotherapist uses TECAR during that visit does not change the price. To see how TECAR fits into a wider treatment plan, read what TECAR therapy is, in plain English. We do not publish session prices here because fees can change, so please call (604) 988-5411 for the current physiotherapy fee.
Extended health benefits.
Most workplace and private health plans include a physiotherapy benefit. Since the visit that includes TECAR is billed as physiotherapy, that benefit applies in the normal way. How much is covered depends on your plan. Some cover the full fee, some cover a set amount per visit, and most have a yearly limit on how much physiotherapy they will pay for in total.
A few plans also ask for a doctor referral before they pay, so it is worth checking the wording of your physiotherapy benefit before you book. We direct-bill most major insurers where your plan allows it, which means we send the claim for you and you pay only any part your plan does not cover. If we cannot direct-bill your plan, we give you a receipt to submit yourself. Call (604) 988-5411 and we can confirm direct billing for your specific insurer before your first visit.
After a car crash, through ICBC.
If you were hurt in a car crash, your physiotherapy is usually claimed through ICBC. Under ICBC Enhanced Care, approved physiotherapy treatment after a crash is covered. Because TECAR is delivered inside that physiotherapy visit, there is no separate cost for the TECAR component. You bring your ICBC claim number, and we handle the billing with ICBC for you.
There are time windows and limits on how many treatments are pre-approved after a crash, so it helps to start care early. You can read more about how shockwave, laser, and TECAR fit into recovery on our ICBC page on these treatments after a crash. For the official rules on what ICBC covers, see ICBC. Call (604) 988-5411 if you are unsure whether your claim covers the visit.
Work injuries, through WorkSafeBC.
If your injury happened at work, it is usually claimed through WorkSafeBC. Once your claim is accepted, approved physiotherapy is covered. As with the other claim types, any TECAR used during those sessions is part of the physiotherapy visit, so there is no separate charge for it.
Bring your WorkSafeBC claim number to your first appointment and we will bill WorkSafeBC directly. If your claim is still being set up, call (604) 988-5411 and we can walk you through what to bring and confirm how the billing will work for your situation.
How to confirm your coverage before you book.
The clearest way to avoid surprises is to call us first. Phone Medstar Sport Physio and Health at (604) 988-5411 and tell us how you plan to pay, whether that is an extended health plan, an ICBC claim, or a WorkSafeBC claim. We can tell you the current physiotherapy fee, confirm whether we can direct-bill your plan, and let you know what to bring, such as a claim number or a referral. For general health information you can also read HealthLinkBC.
When you are ready, you can book online or come and see us at 1325 Marine Drive in North Vancouver. To understand whether TECAR is likely to suit your injury before you book, see who should try TECAR, or read about the physiotherapy plan TECAR fits into.
Common questions.
Is there a separate charge for TECAR?
No. TECAR is delivered as part of a physiotherapy appointment, so your receipt shows physiotherapy and there is no extra TECAR line on the bill. You pay the normal physiotherapy fee for the visit, whether or not TECAR is used during it. Call (604) 988-5411 for the current physiotherapy fee.
Will my extended health plan cover it?+
If your plan covers physiotherapy, it covers the visit that includes TECAR, because the visit is billed as physiotherapy. Coverage levels vary by plan, so check your physiotherapy benefit, including any yearly limit and whether a doctor referral is needed. We direct-bill most major insurers where your plan allows it.
Do you direct-bill, or do I pay and claim back?+
We direct-bill most extended health insurers, ICBC, and WorkSafeBC where the plan or claim allows it. That means we send the claim for you and you pay only any portion your plan does not cover. Call (604) 988-5411 before your first visit so we can confirm direct billing for your specific plan.
I am claiming through ICBC after a crash. Do I pay for the TECAR part?+
No. Under ICBC Enhanced Care, approved physiotherapy after a crash is covered, and because TECAR is delivered inside that physiotherapy visit there is no separate cost for the TECAR component. Bring your ICBC claim number and we will handle the billing with ICBC directly, so you are not left to submit paperwork or chase a reimbursement on your own. Call (604) 988-5411 if you have questions about your claim before your first visit.
What if my injury happened at work?+
Work injuries are usually claimed through WorkSafeBC. Once your claim is accepted, approved physiotherapy is covered, and any TECAR used during those sessions is part of the physiotherapy visit at no separate charge. Bring your claim number so we can bill WorkSafeBC directly, and tell us if your claim is still being processed so we can advise you on timing. Starting physiotherapy early tends to support a smoother recovery after a workplace injury.
Does my extended health plan need a doctor's referral before it pays for TECAR?+
It depends on your specific plan. A few extended health plans ask for a doctor referral before they pay for physiotherapy, and since the visit that includes TECAR is billed as physiotherapy, that same rule would apply. Check the wording of your physiotherapy benefit before you book, or call (604) 988-5411 and Medstar can help you confirm it.
Is there a limit on how much ICBC or WorkSafeBC will pay for TECAR sessions?+
There is no separate limit for TECAR itself, but there are limits on the physiotherapy visits it is part of. Under ICBC Enhanced Care there are time windows and limits on how many treatments are pre-approved after a crash, and WorkSafeBC coverage depends on your claim being accepted first, so it helps to start care early.
How do I book a TECAR appointment at Medstar?+
You can book a TECAR appointment online through Medstar's scheduling page or by calling (604) 988-5411. No doctor's referral is required to book, since TECAR is delivered as part of a physiotherapy visit. Tell the clinic how you plan to pay, whether that is an extended health plan, an ICBC claim, or a WorkSafeBC claim, so they can confirm billing before your visit.
Related reading
One of the few places to find TECAR on the North Shore
Ask whether TECAR is the right tool for your injury. We'll tell you straight.
Reviewed by Amir Ahmadi, PhD, MSc PT, Registered Physiotherapist, Certified IMS Therapist, College of Physical Therapists of British Columbia (CPTBC). Lead clinician for TECAR therapy at Medstar Sport Physio & Health.
This page is for general information only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. TECAR therapy is one tool within a broader physiotherapy plan; suitability is determined case-by-case during assessment. If you have a pacemaker, active infection, or are pregnant, disclose this before treatment. Physiotherapy at Medstar Sport Physio & Health is provided by physiotherapists registered with the College of Physical Therapists of British Columbia (CPTBC).