Is naturopathy or hypnotherapy covered by insurance?
Often, yes, at least in part. In Quebec, most group insurance plans reimburse naturopathy, and a growing number reimburse hypnotherapy, provided the practitioner belongs to an association recognized by the insurer. Axis issues official naturopathy and hypnotherapy receipts. Here is what to know before your first appointment, and how to check your coverage in two minutes.
What Axis issues
- What receipts does Axis issue?
- Axis issues official naturopathy receipts (Myriam Elias is a member of the Association des naturopathes professionnels du Québec, ANPQ) and hypnotherapy receipts (member of the Association of Registered Clinical Hypnotherapists, ARCH Canada, and of Groupe RITMA). Each receipt shows the association, the member number, the date and the amount, which is what insurers require. You submit it yourself to your insurer, online or through your plan's app.
- Does RAMQ cover naturopathy or hypnotherapy?
- No. Naturopathy and hypnotherapy are not insured services under the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec. Reimbursement goes through your group plan (employer, professional order) or an individual plan, depending on what your policy provides.
What group plans reimburse
- Is naturopathy covered by group insurance?
- In most Quebec group plans, yes. Naturopathy usually falls under paramedical or "alternative medicine" benefits, with an annual maximum (often between $300 and $1,000, sometimes shared with other therapies) and a percentage reimbursed per visit. The usual condition is that the naturopath belongs to a recognized association, which the ANPQ is.
- Is hypnotherapy covered by insurance?
- Less systematically than naturopathy, but increasingly. Some plans reimburse it under "hypnotherapy", others under a broader complementary-therapy category, others not at all. Recognition of ARCH Canada and Groupe RITMA by several insurers helps, but the only way to be sure is to ask your insurer, naming the association.
- Is the full Axis program reimbursable?
- Insurers reimburse sessions, not programs. The naturopathy and hypnotherapy sessions included in the Axis program can be receipted separately, and you submit them as you go, up to your plan's annual maximum. The supplements provided in the program are generally not reimbursed by group plans.
- Do I need a doctor's referral?
- Rarely for naturopathy, sometimes for hypnotherapy: some plans require a written recommendation from a physician before reimbursing complementary therapies. Ask your insurer before the first session so you are not chasing a document afterwards.
Check your coverage in two minutes
- How do I find out whether my insurance covers me?
- Open your insurer's app or portal (or call the number on the back of your card) and ask four questions: 1) is naturopathy covered, for a naturopath who is a member of the ANPQ; 2) is hypnotherapy covered, for a hypnotherapist who is a member of ARCH Canada or Groupe RITMA; 3) what is the annual maximum and the percentage reimbursed; 4) is a referral required. Write down the answers: you will know exactly what your sessions cost you.
- Can I use my health spending account (HSA)?
- Often, yes. Health spending accounts generally reimburse expenses eligible for the medical expense tax credit, which includes several complementary therapies depending on the province and the plan. It is a good option when the "alternative medicine" category of your base plan is used up. Check with your plan administrator.
- What if I am outside Quebec, or in the United States?
- Axis works with clients across Canada and the United States, online. The receipts are the same. In Canada, coverage depends on your provincial or group plan; in the United States, Canadian receipts are generally not reimbursed by insurers, but some health spending accounts (HSA, FSA) accept complementary therapies. Check before you commit.
- Can I ask my questions before booking?
- Yes. The free 30-minute discovery call is also for that: we look at your situation and tell you which receipts apply and how to submit them. You can also read our hypnosis FAQ and the one-on-one program page.
Want to talk it through?
A free, no-obligation 30-minute discovery call to see whether Axis's naturopathy and clinical hypnotherapy support is right for you. In Montreal or online, anywhere in Quebec.