If you are searching for Richmond RMT services, the question that usually goes unanswered until you call to book is: what does it actually cost after my insurance pays? This guide answers it honestly using current Richmond market rates and the direct-billing arrangements at Artemis Wellness Clinic at 5911 No. 3 Rd #130, Richmond BC — steps from Brighouse SkyTrain. Phone 604-242-2233 or book online at artemis.janeapp.com.
The short answer: with direct billing you do not pay the full fee up front and wait to be reimbursed — you pay only the part your plan does not cover (co-pay, deductible or amounts above your plan maximum). For ICBC claims, we bill ICBC directly for your pre-approved treatments; if part of a fee is not covered by ICBC (a user fee), we tell you before your treatment. Read on for the per-plan specifics and three worked examples.
Standard Richmond RMT Session Pricing (Before Insurance)
Richmond market rates for registered massage therapy in 2026 are reasonably consistent across regulated clinics:
| Session length | Typical Richmond rate (2026) | Artemis rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30 minutes | $75–$95 | $90 |
| 45 minutes | $105–$125 | $110 |
| 60 minutes | $130–$150 | $135 |
These rates reflect what a regulated Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) charges — practitioners licensed with the College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC (CCHPBC). Spa massage from non-RMT therapists is usually 20–30% cheaper but is NOT eligible for extended health insurance reimbursement (more on the difference in our RMT vs spa massage comparison).
Important framing: the rates above are the gross price. If you have extended health coverage, the direct-billing arrangements explained next mean you pay only the part your plan does not cover.
Direct Billing — How It Actually Works
“Direct billing” means the clinic submits the insurance claim on your behalf at the time of your appointment, and you pay only the portion not covered by insurance — instead of paying the full amount up front and waiting weeks for reimbursement.
With direct billing, what you pay for a 60-minute session listed at $135 depends on your plan. If your plan pays a percentage — say 80% — you pay the remaining 20% ($27 in that case). If it pays up to a fixed amount per visit, you pay the difference above that amount. Amounts above your plan’s annual maximum are yours to pay.
Plans Artemis directly bills for Richmond RMT
- ICBC (Enhanced Care — we bill ICBC directly for your pre-approved treatments)
- WorkSafeBC (active claim coverage)
- Pacific Blue Cross
- Sun Life Financial
- Manulife
- Canada Life (formerly Great-West Life)
- Green Shield Canada
For other extended health plans, Artemis provides a detailed receipt that you submit to your insurer for reimbursement — typically processed in 1 to 2 weeks. Reception can confirm direct-billing eligibility for your specific plan when you call 604-242-2233 or book online.
What ICBC Patients Pay
If you have an active ICBC claim from a motor vehicle collision, RMT is one of the pre-approved Enhanced Care treatments. Within the first 12 weeks after the crash you do not need a doctor’s referral or ICBC approval to start — bring your claim number and BC PHN. In that period ICBC pre-approves up to 12 RMT treatments. We bill ICBC directly for your pre-approved treatments. If part of a fee is not covered by ICBC (a user fee), we tell you before your treatment. You sign one form at your first visit and the back-end paperwork is handled for you.
For patients beyond the 12-week window or who need more than the 12 pre-approved treatments, further treatment needs ICBC approval; your treating clinician can request it, and ICBC decides case by case. If the extension is not approved, you can either pay out of pocket or use your extended health benefits to continue.
For the broader ICBC mechanics see our ICBC approved clinic in Richmond BC guide and ICBC physiotherapy in Richmond BC.
What Extended Health Patients Actually Pay (Worked Examples)
Three example scenarios for a $135 60-minute Richmond RMT session at Artemis:
Example 1: Pacific Blue Cross plan with 100% coverage up to $80/visit
– Plan pays: $80 (direct billed)
– Patient pays: $55 ($135 – $80)
– Per-session cost to patient: $55
Example 2: Sun Life plan with 80% coverage up to $500/year
– Plan pays: $108 ($135 × 80%, direct billed if within annual cap)
– Patient pays: $27 ($135 – $108)
– Per-session cost to patient: $27
Example 3: Manulife plan with 100% RMT coverage up to $1,500/year
– Plan pays: $135 (direct billed if within annual cap)
– Your plan pays the full amount in this example, until the $1,500 annual maximum is reached
– After that, you pay the full session fee
The exact numbers depend on your specific plan booklet. These are examples only. With extended health benefits and direct billing, you pay only the part your plan does not cover (co-pay, deductible or amounts above your plan maximum).
How Many Sessions Will I Actually Need?
A common question that affects total cost. Honest answer: it varies by condition, but typical patterns at Artemis:
- Acute musculoskeletal complaint (recent strain, post-exercise tightness): often 1–3 sessions
- Chronic ongoing pain (months/years of issues): typical 4–8 sessions over 2–3 months, then maintenance every 4–6 weeks
- ICBC active rehab post-MVA: typical 8–15 sessions across 8–12 weeks coordinated with physiotherapy
- General maintenance for desk workers, athletes, or stress-related tension: 1 session every 3–4 weeks ongoing
How many sessions you need varies from person to person. If you have extended health benefits, check your plan’s per-visit and annual limits so you can plan the cost of a full course of treatment.
Hidden Cost Factors to Ask About (At Any Clinic)
Before booking with any Richmond RMT clinic, three questions worth asking that affect actual cost:
1. Is there a “first appointment” surcharge? Some clinics charge an extra $20–$40 for the initial 15-minute assessment portion of a first appointment. Artemis does NOT — the listed session price is what you pay, period.
2. Are taxes included or extra? RMT services in BC are exempt from GST/PST. So no tax on the listed price. Some clinics still misapply tax — confirm before booking.
3. Is there a cancellation fee? Most clinics charge 50–100% of session price for late cancellations (under 24 hours) or no-shows. Artemis policy: 50% of session price for cancellations under 24 hours, 100% for no-shows. This is standard for the industry.
Why Choose Direct Billing at Artemis Richmond?
Three practical reasons direct billing matters more than headline price:
- Cash flow — you pay only the uncovered portion at the time of visit, not the full session price up front
- No reimbursement waiting — for plans we direct bill, you avoid the 1–2 week reimbursement wait period that happens when you pay up front and submit later
- No paperwork — Artemis handles the insurance claim filing for you
Combined with the rest of what Artemis offers — Dave Tam (RMT Director) and the team Samuel Cabuay and Jonae Ablao, integrated multidisciplinary care alongside acupuncture / physiotherapy / chiropractic / kinesiology, open 7 days a week (8 am – 8 pm), Brighouse SkyTrain access — the per-session friction is genuinely low.
For more on the team see our Dave Tam RMT Director spotlight and the broader Registered Massage Therapy in Richmond guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a 60-minute RMT cost at Artemis?
Listed price: $135. With extended health and direct billing, you pay only the part your plan does not cover (co-pay, deductible or amounts above your plan maximum). For ICBC claims, ICBC pre-approves up to 12 RMT treatments in the first 12 weeks after a crash; we bill ICBC directly for your pre-approved treatments, and if part of a fee is not covered by ICBC (a user fee), we tell you before your treatment.
Does Artemis direct bill ICBC for RMT?
Yes. Artemis is an ICBC-approved active rehab clinic. RMT is one of the pre-approved benefits under ICBC Enhanced Care.
What if my extended health plan is not on your direct-billing list?
Reception confirms direct-billing eligibility per plan when you book. If your plan is not directly billed, you pay at the time of visit and we provide a detailed receipt for you to submit for reimbursement (typical processing 1–2 weeks).
Are there hidden fees I should know about?
No first-appointment surcharge. No tax (RMT in BC is GST/PST exempt). Cancellation fee applies for under-24-hour cancels (50%) and no-shows (100%) — standard industry policy.
Can I use insurance for couples or family bookings?
Each session is billed individually under the patient’s name and insurance plan. Family members each need their own appointment and their own insurance (or shared family plan).
How do I confirm my plan covers RMT before booking?
Quickest: call your insurer’s 1-800 number on the back of your card and ask “do I have RMT coverage, and what is the per-visit and annual cap?” Or call Artemis at 604-242-2233 and reception can confirm against our direct-billing partner list.
What if I do not have any insurance — is RMT still affordable?
Without insurance you pay the listed price ($90 for 30 min, $110 for 45 min, $135 for 60 min).
Do you offer evening or weekend appointments?
Yes. The clinic is open 7 days a week, 8 am – 8 pm, so evening and weekend appointments are available; availability varies by practitioner. Live availability is on artemis.janeapp.com.
Book Your Richmond RMT Session at Artemis
For transparent Richmond RMT pricing with direct billing for ICBC, WorkSafeBC, and most major extended health plans, Artemis Wellness Clinic at 5911 No. 3 Rd #130, Richmond, BC V6X 0K9 — steps from Brighouse SkyTrain. Phone 604-242-2233 or book online at artemis.janeapp.com. Five disciplines coordinated under one roof. No referral needed (except massage therapy under a WorkSafeBC claim, which needs a doctor’s referral). For our complete clinic overview, see our comprehensive guide.
