Reimburse Your Fees

Employer Health Insurance Benefits 

While registered social workers are regulated health professionals in Ontario, unfortunately they are not covered under OHIP. However, the majority of extended employer health benefit plans reimburse registered social workers (typically in your health and dental insurance package).

I encourage you to speak with your insurance provider about counselling services provided by a registered social worker to determine your eligibility, approved rates of coverage and claim procedures (e.g., whether or not a letter or referral from your physician is required, details required on receipts, amount per person per calendar year etc.)

Other third party providers that cover registered social workers:

Blue Cross
Green Shield
Non-Insured Health Benefits for First Nations and Inuit
Workplace Safety and Insurance Bureau (WSIB)
Veterans Affairs Canada

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Important Note:

As of September 26, 2012, counselling services provided by Registered Social Workers (RSWs) can be claimed as a medical expense tax deduction.

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If registered social workers are not currently on the list of professionals covered in your employee health insurance plan, ask that it be added. The majority of insurance companies state that they do not cover registered social work services because the public does not ask for inclusion of this benefit in private health plans.

What You Can Do to Help

If you work in a unionized setting, ask your union representative to add social worker to the list of professional services covered in the employee benefits plan during the next contract negotiations.

If you work in a non-unionized setting, ask your employer or human resources department to add social worker to the list of professional services included in the employee benefits plan.

If you have private health plan, ask about adding coverage of social worker services to your plan. Tell your insurance company that you believe that social work services should be a standard benefit in all insurance policies.