What to ask your insurance provider

If you have extended health benefits, your counselling sessions may be eligible for coverage. To find out, you can call your insurance provider (Great West life, Sun Life, etc), and with your plan ID and # in hand, ask the following:

​1. Do you cover a Registered Social Worker?

I am a Registered Social worker - license # 813393. I am also an MBSR Teacher Trainee with UC San Diego, Centre for Mindfulness, under the supervision of Gwen Morgan, MSW RSW (Certified Teacher in MBSR & MBCT with UC San Diego and the Centre for Mindfulness Studies, Toronto).

 2. How much is covered? 
Most insurance companies will cover a percentage of counselling services offered by a Registered Social Worker. 

 3. What is the maximum amount paid per session or for the MBSR 8 week course?
I charge $120 per counselling session and $480 for the MBSR course. Some  insurance companies have a maximum rate. To ensure your complete coverage, please ask your insurance company for the maximum amount that they will pay per session. 

 4. Are there any deductibles?
Insurance companies may require you to pay a deductible (e.g., 20% of the overall cost).

 5. When does the coverage begin and end (i.e., January to December or fiscal year)?
Most insurance companies provide an allotted amount of money over the course of one year. Please check with your provider when that time frame begins and ends to ensure that you have coverage. 

 6. How is payment received and/or reimbursed? 
I will provide you with a receipt that stipulates my Registration number (from the College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) , as well as the name of my supervisor, Gwen Morgan, MSW RSW. You can then send your receipt in to your provider for reimbursement .