A recent survey by Ipsos found that a significant majority of Canadians want athletic therapy to be included in employee health insurance plans.
The survey, commissioned by the Canadian Athletic Therapists Association (CATA), shows that 91% of respondents believe athletic therapy should be a covered option.
The Move Freely | Live Fully campaign, launched by CATA, aims to increase access to athletic therapy, a specialized form of physical therapy focused on rapid recovery from injuries.
“Athletic therapy is for everybody who has a body and needs to use it. It’s for everybody who wants to get back to fully functional—at work, at home, and at play,” said Mélanie Levac, executive director of CATA. “Some people think of athletic therapy as being for elite athletes, and it is, but it’s also for their moms, friends, and neighbours. We think, and Canadians agree, that Canadian employees should have access to athletic therapy as part of a personalized treatment plan that is covered by their employer benefit plan and can be claimed on their income taxes.”
Key findings from the Ipsos survey highlight the demand for more inclusive health insurance options:
- Nearly half of Canadians (47%) reported being injured in a way that impeded their daily functionality.
- An overwhelming 96% agree that different forms of physical therapy are crucial for maintaining or returning to good physical health.
- A similar proportion (97%) emphasized the importance of accessing personalized treatment plans for quick recovery from injuries.
- Once athletic therapy was described to them, 91% supported its inclusion in employee health insurance plans.
- Additionally, 92% believe athletic therapy should qualify for the medical expense tax credit, similar to other types of physical therapy.
The Move Freely | Live Fully campaign advocates for the inclusion of Certified Athletic Therapists in employee benefit plans and the Canada Revenue Agency’s schedule of authorized medical practitioners for tax credit purposes. This initiative seeks to create equitable access to athletic therapy across Canada.
CATA, established in 1965 by athletic therapists working with professional hockey and football teams, now represents over 3,000 members. The association is committed to the advancement and growth of the athletic therapy profession through advocacy, education, and research.
