Check the benefits before the booking.

Before booking on the assumption that benefits will pay, check your current plan. A colleague's reimbursement, a previous year's allowance or a provider's general insurance statement does not establish your own coverage.

Ask your insurer the plan questions.

• Is this service and practitioner eligible under my plan?
• Is a referral or other documentation required?
• What limits, remaining allowance or personal payment apply?
• What is the submission deadline and which documents are needed?
• How are gift-funded treatments or other unusual payment arrangements handled?

Keep the answer somewhere you can refer to it. If the wording is unclear, describe the actual appointment you are considering rather than asking only whether the plan covers massage generally.

Ask the provider the appointment questions.

Confirm the practitioner, price and payment arrangements. If direct billing is offered, ask how any unpaid balance is handled. Do not treat the ability to submit a claim as confirmation that the insurer will approve every part of it.

CMTO's receipt guidance lists the appointment date, client and therapist names, transaction amount, therapist signature and registration number, and applicable HST number. Check that you receive the treatment documentation you need, rather than keeping only a card-payment slip.

Check the details while they are easy to correct.

Read the receipt when it arrives and contact the provider about factual errors. Store it securely; it contains personal information and does not belong in a public photo.

Decide whether the appointment still fits your budget if some or all of the cost remains yours. Having that answer beforehand makes the visit simpler and avoids turning a treatment decision into a surprise bill.