Many private and company health insurance plans cover naturopathic treatments. Patients and employers are encouraged to request that their policy include coverage of all naturopathic services. Currently OHIP does not cover visits to a Naturopathic Doctor.

A Homeopathic Practitioner uses only a homeopathic approach. Naturopathic Doctors, on the other hand, use homeopathic medicine as one of the therapies integrated into a total treatment plan. NDs are the only health care professionals trained in homeopathy as part of their standard educational program and are examined in homeopathy for licensing purposes.

Doctors of Naturopathic Medicine have a minimum of 7 years of training: 3 to 4 years of premedical studies at a university followed by the 4 year intensive full time program at an accredited college of Naturopathic Medicine. The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto is the only one in Canada (there are 4 colleges in North America).
After graduating from one of these colleges, the Ontario ND must pass rigorous North American-wide standardized licensing exams to obtain a license. NDs in Ontario are regulated and licensed by the College of Naturopaths of Ontario.

During the initial 1 hour consultation, the ND will take a thorough history so that the underlying issues surrounding your condition or concern can be addressed. A physical examination with clothes on (not internal) will also aid the physician in determining what areas need attention to best address the health issues that most concern you. The ND will then determine which lifestyle, nutritional, herbal, homeopathic or other type of therapy may best suit your case at which point, a joint decision with you will be made as to how best to proceed. You are the master of your life! Our goal is to teach you as much as possible to help you reach your health goals!

The second visits are 45 minutes in length and will usually be within 2 to 4 weeks of the initial consultation, during which time the ND may ask you to get blood tests or other information gathering as well as start the initial treatment protocol. During the second visit a more fine-tuned plan is usually completed and you will not generally need to return for at least another month. Subsequent follow-ups are usually 30 minutes depending on the individual case.

Generally speaking the answer is no, you do not need a referral from an MD to see an ND. However, it is a good idea to confirm that with your health insurance provider so that you feel comfortable that the visit will be covered.