Can a Kin help clients get reimbursed for kinesiology services?
Kinesiologists work in many different settings and provide a variety of services. Legislation of health services differs from one province to another. The context in which you are providing services will help determine the type of documentation required and how invoices are prepared and submitted.
This document’s primary use is to inform Kinesiologists (Kins) about receipts and reimbursement for their services. The CKA is not responsible for consequences and damages that may occur as an outcome of misinterpretation of this information. It is to be stressed that the goal is to guide Kins, not to provide them with detailed procedures, because the CKA does not want to interfere with provincial legislation. Interpretation of the legislation of health care professions and of insurance programs often depends on the particular circumstances. If Kins are having difficulty with interpretation, they should seek independent advice from their legal advisor and/or from their provincial kinesiology associations.
In Canada, Kinesiologists are legislated provincially. Since 2013, kinesiology in Ontario has been a regulated health profession with the establishment of the College of Kinesiology of Ontario (CKO). Similar proposals have been made in other jurisdictions and will soon be legislated in three other provinces.
For Kinesiologist in provinces other than Ontario, the profession is controlled by the Canadian Kinesiology Alliance and its partner provincial kinesiology associations.
In order to practise kinesiology in Canada and be allowed to issue receipts, Kinesiologists must comply with specific requirements:
Be a member in good standing of their provincial kinesiology association and the CKA (and the CKO, if applicable)
Own a professional insurance policy and a general insurance policy
Meet competencies and standards of the profession, and successfully pass a professional assessment (if applicable)
Respect a code of ethics
Complete continuing education standards every two or three years
What should my receipt include?
Regardless of whether you are billing through a statutory system or billing clients directly, the principles of transparency and accuracy always apply. When billing clients directly, your invoices must, at a minimum, include
your name,
your registration number,
the date the service was provided,
the amount owing and paid, and
a description of the service.
Having your membership/affiliation/accreditation designation and registration number on the invoice is important for a client attempting to get the service covered by a third party insurer.
What to tell my clients to get reimbursed?
Although kinesiology services are not covered under provincial public health care systems, they are tax deductible (if they reach a certain minimum). Even in cases where a client does not have insurance coverage for kinesiology, you can tell them to retain all receipts for income tax purposes.
In some provinces, the following insurance companies offer policies covering kinesiology expenses (to date):
A growing body of evidence points to the direct link between physical health and workplace performance. Healthier employees come to work more often, take fewer sick days, work more effectively, and file fewer WSIB claims. Tell your client to ask their insurance company if kinesiology fees are refunded. If they are not, provide documentation and template letters (letter for client, letter for employer) so your client can urge their employer and/or insurance company to include kinesiology services in their insurance plan.
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How does the Insurance Industry Work?
Watch this information webinar, a presentation by Joan Weir, director of health and disability policy for the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association.
Health Insurance, Your Clients, and Protection of Your Practice
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