Responses to Emails Requesting More Information about Direct Billing Coverage for Counsellors

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I am posting the current responses from insurance companies as a link as it’s too many characters for Facebook for them all. I find these responses to be a bit shortcoming and do not, in my opinion, provide answers that are definitive for the “counsellor” role specifically. That said, many are saying they DO offer direct billing for counsellors through e-filing. More will be added as I get them.

I have also sent out a response asking for clarification on “Counsellor” direct billing from those who did not provide it. Follow-up responses are included below the original replies.

Hello,

Thank you for your response. Could you please confirm if the role/practitioner “Counsellor” is eligible for direct billing through Telus health? It would also be useful to know whether this includes Canadian Certified Counsellors (CCC) or only provincially registered providers.

Thank you again.

Sincerely,

Shaylynn Hayes-Raymond

Alberta Blue Cross

Good Afternoon Shaylynn,

Thank you for contacting Alberta Blue Cross. With Alberta Blue Cross, I would like to confirm that we presently have direct billing for psychologists or Master of Social Work providers. With counsellors/psychotherapists, members will have to pay upfront for the services and submit the claim for reimbursement.

Our plans vary so we strongly suggest member contacting us at our customer service line to verify if they would have eligibility with a counsellor/psychotherapist. They can be reached at 1-800-661-6995.

Please note that we recognize the CCPA (The Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association) as an eligible association with Alberta Blue Cross.

Please feel free to contact us if you require any additional assistance.

Best Regards,

Representative  |  Health Services 780.498.8083  |  healthinq@ab.bluecross.ca 

My response to Alberta Blue Cross:

Hello,

Thank you for your response. In the future, I hope you will consider direct billing for counsellors as many persons cannot afford out of pocket and waiting to be reimbursed. I would like there to be less financial burden for accessing therapy services country-wide, but particularly in Alberta. 

Sincerely,

Shaylynn Hayes-Raymond

GroupHEALTH/Equitable

Hi Shaylynn,

Thank you for your email.

Equitable Life uses Telus eClaims for our Provider-submitted claims. Clinical Counsellors are able to direct-bill us through this portal.

Please use this link to register.

Let us know if we can assist with anything further,

Amanda H, Group Client Care Centre

Equitable | One Westmount Rd N, Waterloo ON N2J 4C7

Hi Shaylynn,

Thank you for contacting GroupHEALTH.

I understand you are wondering if we do direct billing. We do allow for direct billing through Telus Health.

Thank you for your feedback, I am happy to take this to my leadership.

For any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us by calling us at 1-833-344-6944, emailing us at askus@mygrouphealth.ca, or via chat!

Thank you for choosing GroupHEALTH Benefit Solutions.
Kind regards,
Erica

Hello Shaylynn,

Thank you for contacting GroupHEALTH!

I understand you are enquiring about Telus e-claim billing. Please note that we do allow direct billing of the plan. Kindly contact Telus at 1.866.240.7492 to confirm your profile is registered.

Should you require further assistance, please feel free to email us back or call us at 1.833.344.6944. Thank you for choosing GroupHEALTH. 

Regards,  

Vishal 

Follow-up:

Hello Shaylynn,

Thank you for contacting GroupHEALTH!

The Canadian Certified Counsellor is an acceptable designation under Counsellor category. Please contact Telus to confirm whether their system allows direct billing under this title/category.

Should you require further assistance, please feel free to email us back or call us at 1.833.344.6944. Thank you for choosing GroupHEALTH. 

Regards,  

Vishal 

First Canadian Financial Group

HI Shaylynn

We use a third party administrator, The Johnston Group, as our claims administrator. I have included them in this email (info@johnstongroup.ca) and they will assist you and provide  the necessary information to access the Telus E-Claims system.

Cheers,

Cathy

Cathy Chouinard

VP, Group Claims and Admin First Canadian Financial Group

Email from forward:

Good afternoon Shaylynn

Thank you for your email.

Yes, our group benefit plans allow Telus Eclaims through the Telus Portal. Telus will download any practitioner’s information to us, to have them added to our data base. Please contact Telus for further assistance.

If you require further assistance, please contact us again.

Kind regards

Stacey 
Senior Team Lead
Customer Service

Final answer to follow-up:

Good afternoon,

Our plans will cover services of a licensed Clinical Psychologist, Social Worker, Registered Clinical Counsellor, Canadian Certified Counsellor, Psychotherapist or any other certified mental health practitioner** covered under the plan and belonging to an accredited association or organization that answers to a disciplinary committee.
If the provider is set up through the Telus Portal they will be able to submit claims online.

If you require further assistance, please contact us again.

Kind regards
StaceySenior Team Lead Customer Service

GroupSource

Good morning, Shaylynn, 

Thank you for your email. 

I can confirm we do accept direct billing through Telus Health, which I believe to be the same as e-claims. Please be advised, due to security protocols, I am unfortunately unable to open the link provided. Should you have any troubles submitting a claim for a GroupSource member, please feel free to call us for troubleshooting assistance. We can be reached at 1+800-661-6195. Our hours of operation are 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM MST, Monday – Friday. 

As for member’s coverage for any form of mental health providers, coverage is different per policy/group. Any changes to a member’s policy is confidential information which unfortunately cannot be discussed with unauthorized contacts. 

If you have anymore questions, please do not hesitate to reach us by phone, email, or live chat now available on the GroupSource website.

Have a wonderful day,

Cole H.

He/Him

GroupSource

Customer Care Representative

Hello Shaylynn,

Thank you for your email.

Regarding the availability for E-Claim services through the TELUS Heath portal, Could you please reach out to TELUS Health directly? They will be able to provide more information and further assistance in this matter.

We hope that this information is sufficient or please let us know if you have further questions or concerns.

Thank you,

Rachel H

Customer Care Representative
GroupSource

 

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