Finding Low- or No-Cost Treatment Options

Find affordable extended health and complementary treatment options near you.

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Nova Scotia

Living with arthritis can pose a number of challenges, including finding affordable treatment options. While visits to a medical doctor are generally covered by government healthcare plans, other treatment options often have a cost associated with them. Extended health benefits may offer some cost coverage, but if you do not have extended health benefits, some treatment options may be more difficult or too expensive to access.

Always check with your healthcare team before trying any treatment options you have not already discussed. Not everyone with arthritis will have the same experience, and not every treatment option will be appropriate for you and your needs.

Important information

Many programs have eligibility criteria such as age, income, or type of arthritis, or require a referral from a member of your healthcare team. It’s important to know which options might be best for you, if you qualify, and how to access programs and services that are available to you.

Some practitioners may offer treatment on a sliding fee scale to make their services more affordable to people and based on income rather than a set rate. Others may offer ‘pay-what-you-can’ or ‘community hours’, when services are provided at a reduced rate. If cost is a concern for you, consider reaching out to practitioners in your area to learn if any reduced rate programs are available.

If you have benefits through your employer or other group or private insurance provider, your plan may cover some or all of the costs of extended healthcare or complementary therapy. Check with your benefits provider to see if the services you wish to use are eligible for cost coverage.

Many of these services can also be claimed as a medical expense on your income tax return.

While not an exhaustive list, this resource is meant to help you find low or no cost extended health and complementary treatment options near you.

Canada-wide Options

Nova Scotia Options

Programs or services listed in this document are not affiliated with Arthritis Society Canada and their inclusion in this list is not an endorsement of any one service, individual, or program. Items listed are subject to change. If you notice something in your area is either missing, or has incorrect information, please let us know by email at info@arthritis.ca.

If you are a provider offering low or no cost treatment options for people managing arthritis or chronic pain, and do not see your service listed here, please contact us by email at info@arthritis.ca to let us know.

Thank you to Jordan Rose for their help with this resource.

Finding Low- or No-Cost Treatment Options