Custom Orthotics Cost in Ontario: What You Pay and What Benefits Cover

Current as of October 2026. Government programs, tax rules and prices change. Check the official sources listed at the end of this page before making a decision, and confirm details with a licensed advisor.

Why custom orthotics are an out-of-pocket cost for most Ontarians

If you have been on your feet all day at a job site, a retail floor or a clinic, and a chiropodist suggests custom orthotics, the first question is usually who pays. For most working-age Ontarians the honest answer is: you, your workplace benefits plan, or a mix of both.

As of October 2026, OHIP does not list custom foot orthotics as an insured service. The Ontario government says OHIP pays only a small part of each visit to a registered podiatrist, up to an annual limit, and that surgeries performed by podiatrists are not covered. Chiropodists, who assess for, prescribe and dispense custom foot orthoses in Ontario, set their own fees, so the cost usually lands on you or your plan. Our guide to what OHIP does not cover explains the broader gap.

Does the Assistive Devices Program help?

Ontario's Assistive Devices Program (ADP) does fund custom orthotic braces for the arm, leg, spine and head. For eligible devices, the province says ADP pays 75% of the cost directly to the vendor and the person pays the other 25%. To qualify you must be an Ontario resident with a valid health card and have a physical disability that requires a custom brace for six months or longer.

However, as of October 2026 the program specifically excludes certain foot orthoses that provide support under the foot and up to the ankle joint. In practice, that means the everyday custom insoles most people think of as "orthotics" are not an ADP item. Someone with a more complex need, such as an ankle-foot brace, should ask their clinician whether an ADP application is appropriate.

What shapes the price of custom orthotics

Prices are set by each clinic, so it is worth asking for a full written quote before you start. Rather than quote numbers that vary widely, here are the factors that typically drive the total:

• Assessment: a proper fitting starts with a medical history, a biomechanical exam and a gait analysis. Ask whether the assessment is billed separately from the device.
• Casting or scanning method: Sun Life's member guide lists foam box casting, plaster slipper casting, wax moulding, contact digitizing and laser or optical scanning as approved techniques.
• Materials and build: the shell material, thickness, posting and top cover all affect the lab cost and how long the pair lasts.
• The lab: whether the device is made in an onsite lab or an outside lab, and how detailed the lab invoice is.
• Follow-up visits: Ontario's chiropody regulator expects at least one follow-up appointment to be offered after dispensing, often within three to six weeks. Ask whether adjustments are included.
• Extra pairs: a second pair for work boots or dress shoes is usually priced separately and may not be covered by a plan.

How group benefit plans usually treat orthotics

Custom orthotics normally sit under the medical equipment or supplies part of an extended health plan. Each plan sets its own dollar maximum and how often a new pair can be claimed, so the plan booklet is the final word. Published insurer guidance gives a good picture of the common rules as of October 2026:

• A prescription with a diagnosis. Sun Life's member guide lists a doctor, chiropodist or podiatrist as prescribers. Green Shield's guidance also accepts a nurse practitioner.
• Truly custom-made. Both insurers say the device must be made from raw materials based on a three-dimensional cast of the foot. Stock or prefabricated insoles are not treated as custom orthotics.
• Accepted casting only. Sun Life says a footprint on an ink pad, a recorded shoe size or walking over a pressure plate does not qualify.
• An eligible dispenser. Green Shield lists podiatrists, chiropodists, pedorthists, orthotists and chiropractors as authorized dispensers.
• Detailed paperwork. Green Shield, for example, asks for an itemized receipt showing full payment and pickup date, a description of the casting technique, a copy of the biomechanical exam or gait analysis, and the lab invoice.
• Replacement limits. Plans often allow one pair per set period. For comparison, the federal Non-Insured Health Benefits program allows one pair of custom-made foot orthotics every two years and expects them to be built to last about that long.

Other ways to soften the cost

If your plan's orthotics maximum is used up or your employer does not offer extended health, there are still options. A health spending account can reimburse expenses that qualify under the Income Tax Act, and the Canada Revenue Agency lists orthopaedic shoes, boots and inserts as eligible medical expenses when they are prescribed. Our guide to what an HSA can cover explains how that works.

The same CRA rule means prescribed orthotics you paid for yourself, and were not reimbursed for, may count toward the medical expense tax credit. Keep the prescription and receipts. Tax rules can change, so check the CRA's current list each year.

If you see a podiatrist or chiropodist for the assessment itself, those visits may also be claimable under the paramedical or foot care section of a plan. See our guide to paramedical coverage.

What employers should think about

For teams who stand, walk or lift all day, such as trades, warehouse staff, retail and healthcare workers, orthotics coverage is a benefit people notice and use. When designing or renewing a plan, an advisor can walk you through the trade-offs: the dollar maximum per pair, the replacement period, whether orthopaedic shoes are bundled into the same limit, and how claim documentation rules are communicated to staff so fewer claims are declined.

Clear communication matters as much as the limit itself. Insurer guidance puts a lot of weight on paperwork, so a short note in your benefits booklet explaining the prescription, casting and receipt requirements can save employees real frustration.

If you are building a new plan or reviewing an existing one, you can get matched with a licensed benefits advisor who can explain how orthotics and other medical equipment are handled in plans suited to a business your size.

Common questions

Does OHIP pay for custom orthotics?

As of October 2026, custom foot orthotics are not an OHIP-insured service. OHIP pays only a small portion of visits to a registered podiatrist, up to a yearly limit, so most people pay for orthotics themselves or through a workplace or private health plan.

Will the Assistive Devices Program cover my foot orthotics?

Usually not. ADP funds custom braces for the arm, leg, spine and head for people who need them for six months or longer, but as of October 2026 it excludes certain foot orthoses that support the foot up to the ankle joint.

Why was my orthotics claim declined?

Common reasons in insurer guidance include a missing prescription or diagnosis, a casting method the insurer does not accept, a prefabricated device, a dispenser who is not eligible under the plan, or missing paperwork such as the gait analysis or lab invoice. Your plan booklet or insurer can confirm the exact reason.

How often can I get new orthotics through benefits?

It depends on the plan. Many plans set one pair per fixed period along with a dollar maximum. Check your benefits booklet or the insurer's member site before you book.

Can I claim orthotics on my taxes?

The CRA lists prescribed orthopaedic shoes, boots and inserts as eligible medical expenses, so amounts you paid and were not reimbursed for may count toward the medical expense tax credit. Keep your prescription and receipts, and check the current CRA rules.

GroupBenefitPlans.ca is a referral and information service. Advice and coverage are provided by the licensed professional and relevant providers. An enquiry does not activate insurance.