Use your health benefits before they reset in December
Eric Johnson · November 2, 2023 · 4 min readEvery year it happens: December arrives, benefits reset, and unused coverage simply vanishes. If your extended health plan runs on a calendar year, now is the time to check what you have left, because you cannot carry most of it forward.
What typically resets
Depending on your plan, several separate pools of paramedical coverage may reset at year end, often including:
- Osteopathy
- Physiotherapy
- Acupuncture
- Massage therapy
Each usually has its own annual dollar limit, so you may have more available than you think across the different categories.
How to check what you have left
It takes about two minutes. Log into your insurer's app or member site, or call the number on your benefits card, and ask how much remains in each paramedical category for the current year. While you are there, confirm whether your plan requires the practitioner to belong to a professional association, which we cover in our guide to osteopathy and insurance in Ontario.
Smart ways to use it before year end
- Address the thing you have been putting off. That nagging back or shoulder is a good place to start with osteopathy or physiotherapy.
- Unwind before the holidays. Acupuncture and a calming Reiki session are a good use of leftover wellness funds.
- Book early. December fills up fast as everyone has the same idea. Reserving now gets you the times you want.
The short version
- Most plans reset on January 1, and unused coverage does not carry over.
- Check the remaining balance in each category: osteopathy, physio, acupuncture, massage.
- Book early, because December is the busiest month.
- Do not forget any Health Spending Account funds.
Frequently asked questions
Do all benefit plans reset in December?
Can I carry unused benefits into next year?
How do I book before the December rush?
Eric is the founder of Vitality Village Osteopathy and Wellness in downtown Hespeler, Cambridge, and a graduate of the Canadian Academy of Osteopathy.
This article is general information, not individual medical advice. If you have a specific concern, please book an assessment or speak with a qualified health professional.