Insurance Coverage for Individual/Couples Counselling/Therapy
What we need to know about Insurance Coverage for Individual/Couples Counselling/Therapy.
You might think that insurance coverage for individuals and couples counselling therapy is like medical insurance, but its’ different, With the combination of public health care coverage in Alberta and a typical private company plan such as Blue Cross for example, most of us expect to have very complete and comprehensive coverage for the bulk of our medical needs. However, when it comes to having complete insurance coverage for individual and couples counselling therapy that may not be the case.
Plans vary widely but on a typical private plan “core” insurance plans might cover as little as 25% or more of the cost of counselling depending on the plan. It can also be less if there is a cap on the number of sessions covered. (which is often the case)
It can get complicated. Most insurance providers recognize members of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) to be qualified for insurance reimbursement. CCPA Counsellors have been reimbursed by insurance providers across Canada, such as 1) Pacific Blue 2( Pacific Life, 3) Sun life, 4) Great West Life and 5) Manulife to name a few, who recognize members of CCPA and provide reimbursement of expenses for their clients.
So, Rule #1 save yourself disappointment and do not assume. Check your coverage in advance. Ifeatu Nwankwo holds a master degree in Clinical Counselling and is a member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association and the Association of Counselling Therapy of Alberta.
Please note that full payments to your counsellor is at the time of the session. Your reimbursement comes upon submitting your receipts to your insurance provider. If your specific insurance provider still refuses to reimburse your counselling expense, your counsellor can also send a letter to your insurance provider (with your written permission) to advocate on your behalf.
You could be eligible for more coverage through your Health Spending Account, or “Wellness Spending Account” if you have one.
If all the above is not an option for you, please keep all of your counselling receipts for submission on your personal taxes as a health care expense.
Direct Billing
At this time Hartwell Counselling does not offer direct billing, and that could change in the future.
In Summary
We recognize that, too often for many couples, and/or individuals, counselling could be their last good shot at changing the course of their relationship or personal lives. It helps to get administrative matters like insurance, right. However, we should never allow a focus on administration matters to detract from what is most important getting the individual and couples counselling therapy help you need when you need it.