Extended Health Benefit Plans

Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCC) are covered on many extended health benefit plans, however, this depends on your company’s specific plan.

Allow me to support you in figuring this out. We have a few options here. 

​You could speak to your human resources department or consult your benefits booklet, which contains the specifics of your company’s health plan to determine what kind of coverage you have. Ask if your insurance covers registered clinical counsellor. Alternatively, you can bring your insurance information with you to your appointment or consultation and we can figure this out together.  I need the following information

• Name of the insurance company
• Company's name/employer's name who provides the insurance
• the subscriber's first and last name
• the subscriber's birth date
• the group or policy number
• the certificate or ID number

If you have secondary insurance coverage, please bring the information for both plans.  If you have an employee benefit's booklet, it is helpful to bring that to your first appointment and I will be able to better answer any questions you may have about your coverage.  If it is not clear from your booklet, we can call the insurance company together.

I do not accept payment directly from the insurance company. I can act on your behalf though, and provide your insurance company with all the necessary information to ensure that you receive the coverage to which you are entitled to quickly.  With electronic claims processing, you will often receive payment from the insurance company within three to five business days.  Most insurance companies allow for direct deposit as well, further expediting your reimbursement. 

​If your plan does not cover  Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCC) but covers Registered Psychologist or Social Workers, you can make a request to your employer and insurance company that they adjust your plan. This easy adjustment will be of no cost to your employer but will increase your benefit.  You are welcome to copy the following wording to help you submit your request:

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing to request a review of our current extended health policy in order to suggest a revision and modification of the counselling services that are covered.

I understand that our current plan states that counselling treatments will only be covered if received by Registered Psychologists. I am also aware that, although Registered Clinical Counsellors do not qualify for our plan, that many other health insurance plans DO permit psychological and counselling treatments to be conducted by Registered Clinical Counsellors. A Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) is a fully qualified mental health professional with a minimum of a Master's degree in counselling psychology, and (2) a registered member of the B.C. Association of Clinical Counsellors. This association maintains high standards that ensure the safety and well being of clients.

I have also been informed that fees for Registered Clinical Counsellors usually begin at $110.00 per hourly session compared to fees for Registered Psychologists, which are generally set to start at $160.00 per hour. By amending the benefit schedule of our plan, it appears that it would not make any difference to our health care provider, nor be of any additional cost to my employer, but would, on the other hand, give more options to those covered under the plan.

I am currently seeking treatment by a Registered Clinical Counsellor who specializes in my particular difficulties. I am very satisfied with the help I am receiving. For this reason I would like to request that the fees for my counselling with Registered Clinical Counsellor be reimbursed by my current plan.

I would appreciate your consideration and prompt attention to this matter as this reimbursement is essential to continuing my treatment.

Sincerely,
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