Health insurance coverage for naturopathic doctors varies depending on the type of plan and location. In Canada, visits to naturopathic doctors are not covered by public health insurance like OHIP but are often included under extended health insurance plans as "paramedical services."
These plans typically cover a portion of naturopathic treatments, ranging from $300 to $500 annually, with some requiring co-payments or deductibles. In the U.S., coverage depends on the insurer, with naturopathic doctors often classified as out-of-network providers. Patients may need to pay upfront and seek reimbursement or pre-authorization for services.
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) can also be used to cover costs. It’s essential to review your health benefits to understand your coverage and maximize its use.
Similarities Between Naturopathic and Conventional Medicine
In many ways, there are similarities between Naturopathic Medicine and conventional medicine. In both systems of medicine, the doctors will conduct an interview with the patient and potentially order further testing to assess the health condition and arrive at an accurate diagnosis.
Then, using the diagnosis, it will inform the treatment plan that is provided and the overall outlook on how the response to treatment will be. The difference between these two systems of medicine are in the type of treatments offered, the amount of time the doctor will spend with the patient, and the cost.
Conventional medical care is publicly funded in Canada and can come with limitations such as long wait times and difficulty accessing primary care providers
Accessibility and Wait Times in Healthcare
Where conventional medicine relies on pharmaceutical medications and surgery, Naturopathic Medicine utilizes the healing power of nutrition, botanicals and nutraceutical supplements. In the medical system it is typical for medical doctors to spend approximately 15 minutes with the patient to hear about the symptoms and prescribe a medication whereas in naturopathic medicine the naturopathic doctor will spend between 30-60 minutes to learn the details of the symptom and health profile to understand the symptoms along with causative factors and then recommend an overall treatment plan.
And lastly is cost; as we know, conventional medicine in Canada is covered by public health insurance and its users do not face an out of pocket expense when seeing their medical doctor. However, it would be a mistake to think that medical health care is provided for free since it is the tax dollar that pays for the publicly funded health care and in Ontario, the average annual cost for health care is almost $50001 per person and approximately 40%2 of the tax dollar goes towards healthcare spending.
And the result of this spending isn’t always optimal as there can be long waiting periods to see a specialist or to get specific tests done and up to 2.5 million Ontarians don’t have a family doctor.3 In comparison, Naturopathic Medicine is not publicly funded however, it is typically covered by extended health insurance. So if you have extended health insurance, be sure to contact your provider to find out how much coverage is provided when seeing a Naturopathic Doctor.
But even if an out of pocket cost is incurred from seeing a naturopathic doctor, the fundamental question is whether it is worth it. When seeing a naturopathic doctor, there usually is not a long wait time and accessing a Naturopathic Doctor is not tricky.
Medical Doctor | Naturopathic Doctor | |
|---|---|---|
Health care costs | Publicly funded.40% of the tax dollar or 5000 per person per year in the province of Ontario | Covered through extended health benefits. Or an average out of pocket expense of 500-1000 per year to see |
The Importance of Investing in Health and Wellness
However, what is more important is that the value of being healthy and taking care of one’s health should never be understated. Take for example the wise words from sages of the past such as Mahatma Gandhi who said “It is healthy that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.” or Buddha who explains “To keep the body in good health is a duty…otherwise we shall not be able to keep the mind strong and clear.”
Money comes and goes. The amount of time we have to be healthy and happy and spend with loved ones will only decrease over time, so it is essential to recognize that the time, money, effort and energy we put into being healthy and staying healthy is of maximum importance.
And it is in this way that I regard the out of pocket cost to see a Naturopathic Doctor, a highly trained health care professional that focuses on the maintenance of long term excellent health for their patients, is a small cost to pay for something that has an immense value.
This is a view that is shared by many of my patients who will readily exclaim at how worthwhile it has been for them to work with me as their Naturopathic Doctor.
Working with a Naturopathic Doctor and putting an investment in your health can yield invaluable returns—more tremendous energy, improved vitality, and the ability to enjoy life to its fullest
Curious if your health insurance covers naturopathic care? Contact Aspire Natural Health today to explore your coverage options and learn how we can support your wellness journey with personalized, holistic solutions!
Weighing the Value of Naturopathic Care for Long-Term Health
Ultimately, the question of whether naturopathic care is worth the cost comes down to what you value most—your long-term health and well-being. While conventional medical care is publicly funded in Canada, it has limitations such as long wait times and difficulty accessing primary care providers. In contrast, naturopathic medicine offers a proactive, patient-centered approach that prioritizes prevention and overall wellness.
For those with extended health benefits, naturopathic care is often partially or fully covered. But even if out-of-pocket costs are involved, the investment in your health can yield invaluable returns—more incredible energy, improved vitality, and the ability to enjoy life to its fullest. Taking care of your health today ensures a better quality of life for years to come.
If you’re considering naturopathic care, take the time to explore your coverage options and make an informed decision because your health is worth it.
