In BC, massage therapy and acupuncture are usually paid for in one of four ways: an extended health plan, MSP Supplementary Benefits for people who qualify, ICBC after a crash, and the medical expense tax credit for what nothing else reimbursed. Every route needs treatment by a practitioner licensed with the College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC (CCHPBC), and a receipt showing the practitioner's name and licence number.
Plans usually set an annual maximum, and many cap what they pay per visit or pay a percentage of each fee. Massage therapy and acupuncture may have their own limits or share one with physiotherapy and chiropractic. With direct billing the clinic submits the claim when you pay; otherwise you submit the receipt yourself.
MSP's basic medical coverage doesn't include massage therapy or acupuncture. If your family's adjusted net income is under $42,000, or you belong to another eligible group, MSP contributes $23 a visit for up to 10 visits each calendar year, shared across acupuncture, chiropractic, massage therapy, naturopathy, physiotherapy and non-surgical podiatry.
ICBC pre-approves 12 massage therapy and 12 acupuncture treatments in the first 12 weeks, with no referral or ICBC approval needed. From April 2026 to March 2027, ICBC pays $107 per massage therapy treatment of at least 45 minutes and $115 per acupuncture treatment of at least 20 minutes. More on ICBC massage therapy.
The Canada Revenue Agency lists massage therapists and acupuncturists in BC as medical practitioners for the credit. You can claim the unreimbursed part of fees above a threshold: the lesser of 3% of net income or a fixed amount ($2,834 for 2025).
W11 Therapy is a registered massage therapy clinic at 1520 W 11th Ave, Vancouver BC V6J 2B5. Licensed providers and direct billing options. Open 7 days, 8am-8pm. Call (778) 995-3745.