FAQ

Is your work covered by Ontario Health Insurance?

Unfortunately, not.

Is your work covered by my extended health benefits?

Maybe. Check your coverage carefully to make sure the services of Registered Social Workers are covered. That's what I am. If you have coverage, you pay me directly and I give you a receipt which you submit in order to be reimbursed by your provider. I am not a Registered Psychotherapist, so if that is your coverage, I am not the service provider for you! Please note that if you have coverage for social work, and submit my receipts, your extended health provider may call me to confirm your attendance at sessions.

My health benefits cover psychologists and Registered Psychotherapists. Could your work qualify?

I have been told that in certain cases you can appeal to your insurer and explain that a particular health care provider has unique qualifications that would be useful to your situation and, on a case-by-case basis, there may be an allowance made if you can demonstrate that you cannot find somebody with the designations that they cover who could do the same work. You are certainly able to call your insurer and have that discussion.

You can also look at whether you have a discretionary fund where you are allowed to apply those funds to which ever practitioner in which ever discipline you would like. If you have a discretionary fund, you may be able to get reimbursed for my services.

Otherwise, I would encourage you to speak to your human resource manager. Each year your benefits are renegotiated and if you and your colleagues make it clear that social work services are an economical alternative to, say, the services of a psychologist, perhaps you can request that social work services be included the next time the policies are renewed

Do I have to pay HST on social work services?

No. Clinical services are exempt from HST and your social work receipts can be included with your other health receipts as health deductions for taxes.

Do you do consultations by phone or via internet?

Yes. When that is appropriate and doable.