[Crystal]

Hi Eva,

So far I have been able to register with Green Shield, Medavie Blue Cross, and ICBC for direct billing, although I’ve not yet had any clients with those insurers. As far as I can tell, Green Shield and Medavie have a variety of different coverages for their different group policies. For example, if Green Shield was their insurance provider, a client working at Walmart would be part of a group Walmart Employee policy through Green Shield. That unique policy would cover a certain percent (e.g. 70%) up to a dollar maximum (e.g. $125) per counselling session for all the people on the plan. This may be different from another Green Shield group plan for, say, London Drugs employees that offers 80% to a maximum of $100 per counselling session. Both plans are offered through the same insurer, but the policies are different depending on what each employer purchases for their employees.

In this example, you can still charge a client your regular session rate, then the insurance provider would cover their allowable amount as outlined in the policy, and if there was a difference, say your rate is $150/hr, then the client would pay the remaining balance. Does that make sense?

In essence, there is no one-size-fits-all amount of coverage or amount a counsellor can bill for private insurers like Medavie and Green Shield. I gather there is for ICBC though. I believe they have standard pre-set amounts they will cover per session for all customers accessing services. In this case you would still be able to charge the client any difference between the amount ICBC pays and what your session fee is if your fee is higher.

• This reply was modified 2 years, 4 months ago by  Crystal. Reason: replied to incorrect thread