What should I bring to my first physio, RMT, or chiro appointment?

Bring photo ID, your insurance or extended health details, and any relevant referral or imaging paperwork you already have. Arrive a few minutes early to complete intake forms.

How does direct billing work?

With direct billing, the clinic submits your claim to your insurer so you only pay any remaining balance. Not every clinic or plan supports it, so confirm before your appointment.

Do I need a doctor's referral?

For most physiotherapy, massage, and chiropractic visits in BC you don't need a referral to book, but some insurance plans require one for reimbursement. Check your plan's rules.

How early should I arrive?

Aim for 10–15 minutes early on a first visit so you have time to fill out intake forms and confirm your billing details.

Updated 2026-06-27 · UQueue guide

Direct billing and what to bring to your first appointment

A first appointment with a physiotherapist, registered massage therapist (RMT), or chiropractor goes a lot more smoothly when you show up prepared. Two things trip people up most: what to bring, and how billing actually works. Here’s the logistics — plus how to land the soonest appointment in the first place.

What to bring to your first visit

You don’t need much, but the right items save time at the front desk:

Photo ID to confirm who you are.
Insurance details — your extended health plan or ICBC claim information, including policy and member numbers.
Any paperwork you already have, such as a referral or recent imaging, if a provider gave you something to pass along.
Comfortable clothing. For physiotherapy and chiropractic visits you may need to move around, so wear or bring clothes you can move easily in.

Arriving 10–15 minutes early gives you time to complete intake forms without eating into your appointment.

How direct billing works

Direct billing means the clinic submits your claim straight to your insurer, so you only pay any remaining balance at the desk instead of paying in full and waiting for reimbursement. It’s convenient, but it isn’t universal: not every clinic supports it, and not every plan allows it. Before your visit, confirm two things with the clinic — whether they direct-bill, and whether they bill your specific provider. Then check your own coverage so there are no surprises.

In BC, extended health plans and ICBC claims often cover physiotherapy, massage therapy, and chiropractic care, but the amount, visit limits, and rules vary by plan. The clinic can tell you what they’ll submit; your insurer is the source of truth on what’s actually covered.

Do you need a referral?

For most physio, RMT, and chiropractic appointments in BC you can book directly without a doctor’s referral. The catch is insurance: some plans require a referral for reimbursement even when the clinic doesn’t need one to see you. Check your plan’s rules before you book so your claim isn’t held up later.

What to expect at intake (logistics only)

A first visit usually starts with intake and consent paperwork and a few questions about your history and what brought you in. That’s the administrative groundwork the practitioner needs before getting started. Everything about your actual care — what’s happening and what to do about it — is a conversation for the practitioner, not something to sort out in advance.

Get the appointment first

None of this matters until you have a slot booked. The fastest way is to compare clinics by their soonest open appointment rather than calling around:

The physiotherapy, massage therapy, and chiropractic hubs let you narrow by city.
City pages like physiotherapy in Surrey or massage in Victoria rank clinics by their nearest opening.
The Vancouver clinic directory shows every tracked clinic in the area across all four disciplines.

UQueue tracks the live JaneApp calendars these clinics use, so you can see real open times instead of guessing — then book the soonest one that fits.

Ready to book? Search live availability on uqueue.ca, reserve the soonest open slot, and walk in prepared.