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Is Naturopathic Medicine Covered by Insurance in Saskatchewan?
Most people with employer benefits in Saskatchewan have naturopathic coverage and do not realize it. Here is how to check, and how direct billing works.
Yes. Most extended health plans in Saskatchewan cover naturopathic medicine under paramedical or health practitioner coverage. I offer care at Summit Sports & Health in Saskatoon with direct billing for many plans, so depending on your benefits you may have little or no out-of-pocket cost for visits.
One of the most common questions I get before someone books is whether insurance will cover this. For most people in Saskatchewan with employer benefits, the answer is yes, and they did not even know it.
How does naturopath insurance coverage work?
Your benefits plan typically lists "Naturopathic Medicine" or "Naturopathic Doctor" under paramedical coverage. There is usually an annual dollar amount that can be applied to visits, and some plans also have a per-visit maximum.
The Saskatchewan Association of Naturopathic Practitioners notes that most third-party health coverage providers cover licensed naturopathic doctors, that packages differ between employers, and that Saskatchewan Health does not cover naturopathic medicine fees. The Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors similarly states that many extended health plans cover naturopathic treatments while provincial plans do not.
SANP also notes that only care from a licensed ND registered with the association is covered under most extended plans. I am licensed in Saskatchewan and registered with SANP.
What about Saskatchewan Blue Cross and similar plans?
Saskatchewan Blue Cross lists naturopaths among practitioners covered on its personal health plans, and advises members to confirm a specific provider is eligible before booking. Group plans still depend on your employer booklet. Always check your own plan rather than assuming a friend's coverage matches yours.
Provincial coverage vs extended health: a quick compare
| Saskatchewan Health | Extended health plans | |
|---|---|---|
| Naturopathic visits | Not covered | Often covered under paramedical benefits |
| Who pays | Public plan | Employer or individual benefits |
| Annual maximum | n/a | Varies (examples elsewhere in Canada often sit in the hundreds of dollars per year) |
| Direct billing | n/a | Available at Summit for many plans |
| Referral needed to book | n/a | Not required to book in SK. Rare plans may ask for reimbursement paperwork |
Exact dollar amounts are plan-specific. I do not list a single "typical" maximum as a guarantee, because employers choose different packages.
What should you ask your insurance provider?
Before your first appointment, call the number on your benefits card and ask:
- Does my plan cover naturopathic medicine or a naturopathic doctor?
- What is my annual maximum?
- Is there a per-visit limit?
- Does my plan accept direct billing?
- Are labs or a health spending account available for tests or supplements?
How does direct billing work at the clinic?
Summit Sports & Health offers direct billing for many plans. That means for covered visits, the clinic bills your insurer and you pay any difference if there is one. It removes a lot of friction that keeps people from using benefits they already pay for.
What if you do not have insurance?
Appointments are available fee-for-service. Current visit fees:
- Initial visit (75 min): $275
- Follow-ups: $80 (15 min) to $195 (45 min)
- Pediatric initial (45 min): $195
- Acupuncture / craniosacral therapy (50 min): $125
- Meet & greet (15 min): Free
Full pricing is also on the FAQ page. Naturopathic doctors in Saskatchewan are not permitted to sell packages or programs, so each visit is booked and billed individually.
What is the next step?
Check your benefits, then book. If you want a low-pressure first conversation, start with the free meet & greet. More on services, what a first visit looks like, and who I am.
Frequently asked questions
Is naturopathic medicine covered by insurance in Saskatchewan?
Yes for most extended health plans. Coverage sits under paramedical or health practitioner benefits, not under Saskatchewan Health. Annual maximums and per-visit limits vary by employer plan, so confirm yours before you book.
Does Saskatchewan Health cover naturopathic visits?
No. Saskatchewan Health does not currently cover naturopathic medicine fees. Coverage comes through private extended health plans, usually through your job or a partner's job.
What does direct billing mean?
It means the clinic bills your insurance company directly so you often do not pay the full amount up front and wait for reimbursement. Not every plan is set up for direct billing, but many are. Reception can help sort this out.
How much does a naturopathic appointment cost without insurance?
An initial visit (75 minutes) is $275. Follow-ups range from $80 (15 minutes) to $195 (45 minutes), with other visit types listed on the FAQ page. A free 15-minute meet and greet is available if you want to ask questions first.
Do I need a referral for insurance to cover a naturopath?
You do not need a referral to see a naturopath in Saskatchewan. A few insurance plans rarely ask for one for reimbursement, so it is worth confirming when you call your provider.
Are labs and supplements covered?
Lab work ordered through LifeLabs is generally out of pocket for provincial coverage, though some extended plans have a separate lab or health spending category. Supplements may be covered under a health spending account. Check your booklet.
Ready to use your benefits?
Or call (306) 979-8753