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How Extended Health Benefits Work for Clinical Counselling in BC

In British Columbia, mental health counselling provided by private practitioners is not funded under the provincial Medical Services Plan (MSP). However, the vast majority of employer-sponsored group health plans, university health plans, and individual health packages provide coverage for mental health practitioners.

Rimsha Qureshi is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC #29320) with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC). Most major Canadian insurance providers—including Pacific Blue Cross, Sun Life, Canada Life, Manulife, Green Shield Canada, Desjardins, ClaimSecure, and Equitable Life—recognize the RCC designation for benefit reimbursement.

Percentage Reimbursement vs. Dollar Caps

Extended health policies typically structure their outpatient mental health benefits in one of two ways:

• Co-Insurance Percentage (e.g., 80% or 100%): Your insurer reimburses a fixed percentage of the session fee until your annual maximum is reached. For example, at an 80% reimbursement rate on a $160 session, the plan pays $128.00 and your share is $32.00.
• Fixed Per-Visit Maximum (e.g., $100 per visit): Some policies impose a maximum allowable dollar amount per visit regardless of the session fee. If your plan pays up to $100 per session on a $160 fee, your out-of-pocket co-payment is $60.00.

Understanding Your Annual Maximum & Benefit Year

Every insurance policy establishes an annual cap for paramedical or mental health services. Common yearly limits range from $500 to $1,500 per covered individual per year, with some comprehensive executive plans offering $2,500 or more.

It is essential to verify when your plan's benefit year resets. While many plans operate on a standard calendar year (January 1 to December 31), others follow your employer's fiscal year, an academic calendar (September 1 to August 31 for university students), or a rolling 12-month schedule from your enrollment date. Any unused funds do not roll over to the following year.

Direct Billing vs. Instant Claim Receipts

Where supported by your specific insurer and plan tier, we offer direct electronic billing via TELUS Health eClaims. This allows the insurance contribution to be deducted immediately at the time of your session, leaving only your co-payment.

If your specific group plan requires you to pay upfront or restricts direct billing for counselling, we issue an official clinical receipt immediately upon payment. Our receipts include Rimsha Qureshi's full legal name, academic degree (Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology), and professional registration number (RCC #29320), enabling rapid reimbursement via your insurer's mobile app or online member portal—typically deposited into your bank account within 24 to 48 hours.

Motor Vehicle Accidents (ICBC) & Crime Victims (CVAP)

If your counselling is related to a car crash in BC or an experience of violent crime, you should not have to deplete your workplace extended health benefits:

• ICBC Enhanced Care: Covers 12 pre-approved sessions within the first 12 weeks following an accident. We direct bill ICBC at the provincial $160 fee schedule, meaning eligible clients typically pay nothing out of pocket.
• Crime Victim Assistance Program (CVAP): Direct-billed for approved claims according to the BC Ministry of Public Safety's fee schedule.

Tax Deductibility of Counselling in British Columbia

Under Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) guidelines, fees paid to Registered Clinical Counsellors in British Columbia may qualify as an eligible medical expense under the Medical Expense Tax Credit (METC) if they are not reimbursed by your insurance provider. We recommend consulting a qualified accountant or tax professional to review your personal eligibility.