Insurance Coverage and Direct Billing

Can I use my extended health benefit insurance?

Clients who have extended health benefits (ie. workplace benefits; post secondary school benefits) that cover the cost of counselling or psychology services, are typically able to be reimbursed for the cost of sessions provided by a registered psychologist. 

Each individual insurance plan specifies what type of clinician is covered (ie. registered psychologist; registered provisional psychologist; master’s-level social worker; or counsellor see article Understanding Therapist Credentials). If you plan to use insurance coverage, you’ll want to make sure that the provider type you select is recognized by your individual insurance plan. 

How do I get reimbursed through insurance?

After a counselling session, payment is received and a receipt is issued to the client. Client’s who have extended health benefit coverage for counselling can then submit the receipt and details to their insurance company to receive reimbursement for the cost of the session that is covered.  

Do you offer direct billing?

Direct billing to insurance is when the clinic charges your extended health benefit provider directly. When direct billing is available the client does not have to pay upfront for the session cost or submit the receipt for reimbursement. 

Certain companies that provide insurance allow psychologists to direct bill. Not all insurance companies allow for direct billing and likewise, some companies only allow certain types of services to be direct billed but not others. For example, most companies allow dentist services to be billed by a clinic but some do not allow counselling direct billing. 

What insurance companies can you bill to for registered psychologists?

At Mendable Psychology, our registered psychologists can generally bill to plans with:

• Alberta Blue Cross
• ASEBP (Alberta Teachers’ Insurance)
• Canada Life
• Claim Secure
• Chamber of Commerce
• Desjardins 
• Equitable Life
• Green Shield
• Group Source
• Group Health
• Industrial Alliance
• Johnstons Group
• Manulife Financial
• Medavie Blue Cross (Veteran’s Affairs, RCMP)
• Non-Insured Health Benefits (First Nations, Metis, and Inuit) 

What insurance companies can you bill to for provisional psychologists?

At Mendable Psychology, our registered provisional psychologists can generally bill to plans with:

• Alberta Blue Cross
• ASEBP (Alberta Teachers’ Insurance)
• Green Shield

Can my sessions with a practicum therapist be billed through insurance?

Unfortunately practicum therapist sessions are not eligible for insurance billing or reimbursement. Our practicum therapist sessions are set at a reduced rate to help increase access to affordable counselling services.