Podiatrist vs Chiropodist in Ontario: What Each Does, OHIP Coverage and Which One to Book
The difference between a podiatrist and a chiropodist in Ontario: training, what each can do, what OHIP pays, whether you need a referral, and which one to book for a parent's foot care.
By Jonathan Kennedy · Last reviewed October 2026
On this page (5 sections)
In Ontario, chiropodists and podiatrists are both foot specialists regulated by the College of Chiropodists of Ontario. The difference: a podiatrist holds a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree and may communicate a diagnosis and operate on the bones of the forefoot, while a chiropodist may not (College of Chiropodists of Ontario, checked October 2026).
Only podiatrists registered before July 31, 1993 can use the title, so most Ontario foot specialists today are chiropodists. OHIP covers part of podiatrist visits, up to $135 a year, and doesn't pay for chiropodists.
Maybe your mom's toenails have become thick and painful, or your dad has diabetes and the doctor said to "get his feet looked at". You search and find both titles, and wonder whether one is a doctor and the other isn't. For most seniors' foot care, either one is the right person, and the choice usually comes down to who is nearby and who comes to the home.
Do this next:
- Book a chiropodist for routine nail care, corns, calluses, orthotics or diabetic foot checks: see foot care for seniors near you.
- If your parent can't get out easily, look for in-home foot care.
- Ask about free foot care first if money is tight: see free foot care for seniors.
What's the difference between a podiatrist and a chiropodist?
| Chiropodist | Podiatrist | |
|---|---|---|
| Training | Diploma in chiropody (now an advanced diploma at the Michener Institute) | Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM), a four-year doctoral program |
| Regulated by | College of Chiropodists of Ontario | College of Chiropodists of Ontario |
| Can treat skin, nails, soft tissue; inject; prescribe some drugs | Yes | Yes |
| Can communicate a diagnosis | No | Yes |
| Can operate on forefoot bones | No | Yes |
| OHIP | Not covered | Covers $7 to $16 of each visit, up to $135 a year, plus $30 for x-rays |
| Referral needed | No | No |
Outside Ontario the picture is simpler: provinces such as Alberta and British Columbia regulate podiatrists (DPMs), and the title "chiropodist" is mostly an Ontario one.
Our take: For an older parent, book whoever is closest and has strong reviews, and ask whether they do home visits. Routine nail and skin care, diabetic foot checks and orthotics are everyday chiropody. Save the hunt for a podiatrist for a problem in the bones of the forefoot, such as a bunion that may need surgery.
Does OHIP cover a podiatrist or chiropodist?
OHIP pays between $7 and $16 of each visit to a registered podiatrist, up to $135 per patient a year, plus $30 for x-rays; you pay the rest, and surgery by a podiatrist isn't covered. Chiropodist visits aren't paid by OHIP, though many private health plans cover both. Some community health centres and diabetes programs offer chiropody at no charge with a referral, so ask your parent's family doctor or local community health centre.
Do you need a referral to see a chiropodist or podiatrist in Ontario?
No. You can book either one directly. Hospital foot clinics and funded programs often do ask for a referral, and private insurance plans sometimes want a doctor's note for orthotics.
Which one should a senior see?
| Your parent needs... | Book |
|---|---|
| Toenail trimming, thick or fungal nails, corns and calluses | A chiropodist (or a foot care nurse) |
| Diabetic foot checks and wound prevention | A chiropodist, alongside their diabetes team |
| Custom orthotics | A chiropodist or podiatrist |
| A diagnosis for unexplained foot pain | A podiatrist, or their family doctor |
| Bunion or other forefoot bone surgery | A podiatrist (or an orthopaedic surgeon) |
In Toronto, Ottawa and Mississauga, see our rankings of chiropodists in Toronto, Ottawa and Mississauga.
What should you ask before booking?
- Are you a registered chiropodist or podiatrist with the College of Chiropodists of Ontario?
- Do you do home visits, and is there a travel fee?
- What does a routine visit cost, and will you give a receipt for insurance and the medical expense tax credit?
- For diabetes: will you send notes to my parent's doctor?
Frequently asked questions
Is a podiatrist the same as a chiropodist?
Not quite. In Ontario both are regulated foot specialists, but a podiatrist has a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree and may communicate a diagnosis and operate on the bones of the forefoot. A chiropodist may not. Only podiatrists registered before July 31, 1993 can use the title in Ontario.
Does OHIP cover chiropodists?
No. OHIP pays part of visits to a registered podiatrist ($7 to $16 a visit, up to $135 a year, plus $30 for x-rays), but not chiropodist visits. Private health plans often cover both, and some community health centres offer free chiropody with a referral.
Do I need a referral to see a chiropodist in Ontario?
No. You can book a chiropodist or podiatrist directly. Some hospital programs and insurance plans ask for a doctor's referral or note.
Why are there so few podiatrists in Ontario?
Since July 31, 1993, new registrants in Ontario use the title chiropodist, whatever their degree. Only those who held a DPM and registered before that date can call themselves podiatrists.
Which foot specialist is best for seniors?
For routine nail care, corns, calluses, diabetic foot checks and orthotics, a chiropodist is usually the right choice, especially one who does home visits. A podiatrist is worth seeking out for a forefoot problem that may need surgery.
Last reviewed October 2026. We keep our guides current as costs, programs, and options change.
Need personal guidance?
Our advisors can help you apply this to your family, free and confidential.
