CANADIAN DIRECT BILLING UPDATES FOR THERAPISTS | EP 153
In this episode, I’ll update you on how direct billing is going in my Canadian private practice. If you have not yet listened to episode 141, I’d recommend that you start there and then return to this episode!
I was apprehensive at first to include direct billing, but now I enjoy using it and the benefits that come along with it!
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
- What I love
- What I had to change
- What I don’t like
What I love
With Jane App (the EMR I use) direct billing works great. It is user-friendly for my clients and me since the platform offers direct billing.
‘For me what I’m really loving is how they organize claim submissions!’ – Julia Smith
A brief description of the parts I love include:
- Claim submissions are tracked when they are submitted, unsubmitted, or approved
- Direct links with insurance company websites on clients’ insurance policy files
- Access to the Telus Health integrated feature
- You can add the direct billing feature to a client’s intake form that asks clients to upload their insurance cards (which automatically then go onto the client’s file)
‘[Uploading insurance card details] makes it really easy for you to get the information you need to submit the claim with the insurance company.’ – Julia Smith
The main thing that I love about direct billing so far is that clients are grateful and happy to have this option! It allows them to have easier access to therapy because they may not afford to put their therapy session cost on a credit card.
What I had to change
The biggest thing that I had to change was my pricing. In the past, I had different prices for my intake sessions since they often require a lot of energy to get to know the client and the intake notes can take more time, which means that intake sessions would be a bit more expensive than my standard subsequent session price.
But when I started with direct billing, my associate and I decided that we should have one price for our sessions to make it easier for clients and to cut down on admin time.
‘In making this decision, we decided to value consistency and peace of mind instead of charging for that energy and the extra time it takes to write an intake session note.’ – Julia Smith
What I don’t like
Direct billing does take extra time. Since I have a small practice and enjoy doing some admin work, I decided to take on the extra hours to direct bill.. I’m now adding around an extra hour a week of work to complete my direct billing duties, but that’s okay, it is worth it!
I also upgraded my plan so that I could have direct billing, but again, it is still totally worth it!
‘It feels so good to make my private practice more accessible, and it is totally worth the extra cost to do direct billing through Jane App because they make it so easy to do!’ – Julia Smith
Connect With Me
Resources Mentioned and Useful Links:
Ep 152: Mastering Stress in Today’s Canadian Private Practice | EP 152
Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice
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)
Get some help and freebies on your website with WordPress!
Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn
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/.
