Are you wondering if you need a doctor’s referral first before booking physiotherapy?

Short answer: No — not in Alberta.

Physiotherapists in Alberta are primary healthcare practitioners. Therefore, you do not need a doctor’s referral to see a physiotherapist.

At Inspire Health & Performance your physiotherapist will complete a thorough assessment and outline the appropriate plan of care for you to reach your individual goals. 

If any medical follow up is needed such as further imaging (e.g. x-ray), your physiotherapist will refer you to the appropriate person. Trust is our top priority and therefore we will always do our very best to ensure you are on the best path possible, whether that is with us or not.

“Physiotherapists are primary healthcare practitioners. This means you do not need a doctor’s referral to start care. However, some extended health benefit providers may require a referral before you can access your benefits. Always check with your insurer to see what coverage you have and what documents are required.”

— Being a Savvy Physiotherapy Client, College of Physiotherapists of Alberta  → Read the full article here

Insurance Coverage Note

Keep in mind some insurance plans do require a doctor’s note for reimbursement if you have extended health benefits so best to check on this if you aren’t sure. Most insurance companies now allow you to easily upload your physiotherapy receipt which will include your physiotherapist’s licence number for quick and easy reimbursement. 

At Inspire Health & Performance we provide a detailed receipt that contains all the information your insurance provider needs. This is emailed to you automatically after your appointment. Learn more here

Our admin light model ensures all of your appointment time is spent on guiding you towards your goals and not on billing. This way, two clicks and it’s done!

In summary, you do not need a doctor’s referral to see a physiotherapist in Calgary however some insurance plans may require one before accepting a claim. I hope this helps remove a barrier for you to get you moving more!

Not sure if physiotherapy is right for you?

Book your 15 minute discovery call with us today!

We offer 15-min no-cost consultations to learn more about your specific situation and help you decide if physiotherapy is right for you.

📞 Call/Text: “Discovery” to (403) 679-3977
📧 Email: booking@inspirehealthcalgary.ca
📅 Book a Call: Booking Link

Together, let’s build confidence to play!

About the Author 

Mike is a physiotherapist and owner of Inspire Health & Performance. His integrated approach focuses on identifying root causes in order to guide his athletes towards peak performance in sport and in life. Since graduating with a Masters of Physical Therapy, he has taken over 625 hours of additional course work. Mike’s main objective is to create a results driven, trusting environment to get you to 100% of your goals.

Mike Azzopardi

Lead Physiotherapist & Owner

MSc.PT, BSc.Kin