ADDING DIRECT BILLING TO YOUR CANADIAN PRIVATE PRACTICE | EP 141
If you have been a long-time listener, you’ll know that ever since I started my Canadian private practice, I have never offered direct billing to clients.
There were many reasons for this, such as when I started eight years ago, there weren’t many insurance companies covering registered counselling therapists. Plus, each insurance plan seemed to have a different rule or agreement on whether a registered counselling therapist could be covered, and if so, by what percentage.
Until now! In 2024, there’s been a big change where TELUS Health is now allowing registered counselling therapists and psychotherapists to be part of their platform, and the TELUS platform offers many different types of insurance companies. Listen in to find out more!
Jane is an all-in-one health and wellness practice management platform designed to be helpful to you, no matter how or where you practice. Available online and on any device, Jane offers branded online booking, beautiful scheduling, insurance management, customizable charting, online intake forms, patient reminders, integrated payment processing, online appointments (telehealth) and more! Use the code FEARLESS at signup to receive your first month completely free!
In This Episode
- TELUS Health and Jane App
- Discovering the offered insurance companies
- How to integrate direct billing with your Jane App
TELUS Health and Jane App
‘TELUS Health is now allowing registered counselling therapists and psychotherapists to be a part of their platform, and on their platform [are] many different types of insurance companies … Which makes it so much easier to direct bill.’ – Julia Smith
I really started to think about offering direct billing once I heard that TELUS Health integrates with Jane App.
I knew that if I could offer direct billing through my EMR, Jane App, and it would only take a couple of minutes that it would be worth looking into, and adding into my practice structure.
‘The last thing I want to do is add another 15-30 minutes to each session having to deal with billing, but if it’s only going to take five minutes to do direct billing, I know my clients would really appreciate that, and therapy would become more accessible for people that are looking for direct billing and therapy services!’ – Julia Smith
Discovering the offered insurance companies
From talking with clients, I know that the three main insurance companies that people use are;
- Sun Life
- Manulife
- Blue Cross
Unfortunately, TELUS Health only has Manulife, but then a tonne of other insurance companies. I started to talk with other therapists about Blue Cross to see if it’s worth it to apply for direct billing with them, even though they’re not part of the TELUS Health system.
Then, I started the process of adding direct billing to my private practice through TELUS Health and Blue Cross.
‘Luckily in Canada as therapists we don’t have to apply for an insurance panel, like therapists do in the states, as long as you have the degrees needed you can just apply to TELUS Health, to Blue Cross, and then any insurance program that offers therapy and accepts registered counselling therapists or psychotherapists, you’ll be covered!’ – Julia Smith
How to integrate direct billing with your Jane App
‘Luckily, Jane App did not disappoint!’ – Julia Smith
There were two videos that answered all of the pressing questions that you may have about linking insurance with your Jane App EMR – you can watch these videos here, and here, and learn how to integrate insurance with your Jane App as well! If you’re ready to give Jane App a go, use my code FEARLESS to receive one month free!
‘With your schedule, Jane App also shows a little insurance badge with the clients who are using insurance, so that can make it a lot easier to know which client’s are going through insurance and which clients aren’t.’ – Julia Smith
With Jane App, you can reduce the amount of admin that you will have to do with each client!
Connect With Me
Resources Mentioned and Useful Links:
EP 140: Blackcy Placidass: Developing a Value-Based Practice | EP 140
Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice
Article: How to Set Up a Canadian Private Practice Website
Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice
Jane App (use code FEARLESS for one month free)
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About Julia
Julia Smith, MEd, RCT, CCC is a registered Counselling Therapist who owns a group private practice in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She is also the owner of Fearless Practice Consulting and hosts the Fearless Practice podcast. Through the Fearless Practice podcast, she provides invaluable insights and practical advice on starting and growing a successful Canadian private practice. Julia’s wealth of knowledge also extends beyond the podcast, as she provides personalized one-on-one consulting to therapists who are feeling burnt out and overwhelmed with their solo or group private practices. With Julia’s expertise, therapists can confidently navigate the complexities of owning a private practice and find work life – balance.
Julia also has written articles for the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy association. You can learn more at www.ccpa-accp.ca/blog/.
