Extended Healthcare Insurance
Extended Healthcare Insurance (EHC) refers to additional health insurance coverage that supplements a basic health insurance plan. It is designed to cover a wider range of medical expenses and services that may not be included in standard healthcare insurance plans.
EHC typically covers services such as:
- Prescription drugs
- Dental care
- Vision care (e.g., eye exams, glasses, and contact lenses)
- Paramedical services (e.g., physiotherapy, chiropractic care, massage therapy)
- Mental health services
- Private or semi-private hospital rooms
- Medical Devices (Orthotics, Hosiery, orthopedic braces, TENS Etc.)
- Assistive equipment (e.g., wheelchairs, crutches)
This type of insurance is often provided as part of employee benefit packages by employers or can be purchased individually. Ontario’s healthcare system (OHIP) provides basic coverage and EHC provides additional coverage for things not included in the public system.
There are Various healthcare insurances Extended Healthcare Insurance (EHC) and we provide electronic billings to all of them if the plan administrator allows to do so, all insurance companies provide many different plans to their insured members. Insurance companies are includes but not limited to the followings;
- Blue Cross
- Sunlife Financial
- Greenshield Canada
- Manulife
- Canada Life
- Global Benefits
- Claim Secure
- Empire Life
- Industrial Alliance
- Extended Healthcare Insurance (EHC) helps individuals access a wide range of paramedical services and medical devices, which can be essential for recovering from sports-related injuries, managing chronic pain, correcting postural issues, and overcoming fitness challenges. Here's how it benefits in each case:
1. Paramedical Services for Recovery and Health Maintenance
Paramedical services, such as physiotherapy, chiropractic care, massage therapy, acupuncture, naturopathy, osteopathy, and podiatry, are vital for healing, pain management, and overall well-being. EHC plays a critical role by covering the costs associated with these therapies, which may otherwise be expensive. Here's how EHC assists with each:
Physiotherapy:
Injury Rehabilitation
For sports-related injuries like sprains, strains, and joint issues, physiotherapy helps with recovery by improving mobility and strengthening muscles.
Chronic Pain
It’s also used to manage long-term conditions like arthritis or back pain.
Postural Issues & Fitness Challenges
Physiotherapists guide exercises that correct poor posture and restore proper body mechanics.
Chiropractic Care:
Spinal Alignment & Posture
Chiropractors focus on spinal alignment, which can relieve back, neck, and joint pain and improve posture. This is particularly useful for athletes and those experiencing repetitive stress injuries.
Sports Injuries
Helps in treating conditions like lower back pain, which are common in athletes or active individuals.
Massage Therapy:
Muscle Recovery
Helps with muscle recovery, relieving tightness or tension that comes from overuse, injury, or poor posture.
Pain Management
Reduces inflammation and discomfort from injuries or chronic issues.
Fitness & Flexibility
Regular massages can increase flexibility and improve athletic performance.
Acupuncture:
Pain Relief
Acupuncture can be used to manage chronic pain or sports injuries by stimulating nerves and improving circulation.
Sports Injuries
It can be a non-invasive option for reducing pain and improving recovery times.
Naturopathy:
Holistic Recovery
Focuses on natural therapies, supplements, and lifestyle changes to help with chronic pain, injury recovery, and overall well-being.
Prevention & Health Maintenance
Helps athletes and individuals maintain optimal health through natural means.
Osteopathy:
Musculoskeletal Health
Osteopathic treatments focus on improving the function of the musculoskeletal system, which is key for injury recovery, postural correction, and chronic pain management.
Sports Injuries
Osteopaths often work with athletes to treat injuries or imbalances that affect performance.
Podiatry:
Foot & Ankle Health
Podiatry services address foot-related issues like flat feet, plantar fasciitis, and other problems that can affect posture, gait, and athletic performance.
Orthotics & Supports
Often work in conjunction with custom orthotics to correct foot-related issues that contribute to postural or biomechanical problems.
2. Medical Devices and Supportive Equipment
EHC also provides financial support for medical devices that assist in recovery, injury prevention, and chronic condition management. Here’s how these devices can help:
Orthopedic Braces:
Joint Support
Braces are essential for supporting weak or injured joints, especially for athletes recovering from knee, ankle, or shoulder injuries.
Injury Prevention
They provide stability during physical activities to prevent further injury.
Custom Orthotics:
Foot & Postural Alignment
Custom orthotics help address foot problems that may lead to pain in the knees, hips, and lower back. They are essential for athletes and those with chronic foot issues to maintain proper alignment and prevent injuries.
Improved Performance
They can enhance comfort and performance by providing better foot support during physical activity.
Compression Socks:
Improved Circulation
Often used to prevent swelling, improve blood flow, and reduce the risk of blood clots, especially in the legs. They are useful for athletes, individuals with varicose veins, or those recovering from injuries.
Injury Recovery
Helps manage conditions like deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or lymphedema that may arise after an injury.
TENS Unit (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation):
Pain Management
A TENS unit provides relief from chronic pain by delivering mild electrical pulses to the skin, which can block pain signals to the brain. It’s used for chronic back pain, muscle strain, and sports-related injuries.
Post-Injury Recovery
Helps reduce muscle tension and improve recovery times by promoting circulation and reducing pain.
Other Medical and Supportive Devices:
Crutches, Walkers, Wheelchairs
For serious injuries or surgeries, devices like crutches and walkers aid in mobility during recovery.
Heat and Cold Therapy Units
Devices that provide heat or cold therapy can help manage pain, reduce inflammation, and accelerate healing in injured areas.
How EHC Helps with Costs:
Coverage for Multiple Services
EHC typically covers a range of paramedical services. Depending on the plan, you may receive a set number of visits or a financial limit (e.g., $500/year for physiotherapy or chiropractic care).
Direct Billing
Many healthcare providers have arrangements with insurers for direct billing, reducing your out-of-pocket costs.
Co-payments
EHC often covers a significant portion of the service (e.g., 80% of physiotherapy costs), with the remaining portion being paid out-of-pocket by the individual.
Reimbursement Process
If direct billing isn’t available, you can submit claims for reimbursement by providing receipts and any necessary medical referrals or prescriptions.
Coverage Limits & Caps
EHC plans typically have annual limits on how much they cover for paramedical services or medical devices. Once the limit is reached, additional costs may be out-of-pocket. However, this coverage significantly reduces the initial financial burden.
Why This Matters for Recovery and Performance:
Access to Multiple Therapies
EHC allows you to use different forms of therapy (e.g., combining physiotherapy with acupuncture) for a comprehensive recovery plan.
Faster Recovery
By covering key treatments and supportive devices, EHC speeds up recovery times for sports-related injuries, helps manage chronic pain, and ensures proper healing.
Preventive Care
EHC encourages people to seek preventive treatments (e.g., massage therapy, chiropractic care), reducing the risk of future injuries and improving overall fitness.
In summary, Extended Healthcare Insurance makes paramedical services and medical devices more accessible and affordable, supporting recovery from injuries, managing chronic pain, correcting postural issues, and overcoming fitness challenges. It ensures individuals receive the care and equipment they need to heal and perform at their best.
