Direct billing · Virtual · Six provinces
Direct Billing for Online Therapy and Counselling
Yes. When a plan allows direct billing, the clinic sends the claim to your insurer after the session. The insurer pays its covered portion straight to the clinic, and you pay only the remainder — there is nothing to submit and no reimbursement to chase. Direct billing is available with Mohamad and Alison for Pacific Blue Cross, CVAP and plans on the TELUS eClaims network, such as Canada Life and Manulife.
What direct billing means for a counselling session
When a plan allows direct billing, the clinic sends the claim to your insurer after the session. The insurer pays its covered portion straight to the clinic, and you pay only the remainder — there is nothing to submit and no reimbursement to chase.
Direct billing works the same way online as it does in person: the claim goes to your insurer after the session, and you pay only the remainder. It is not available for every plan or every clinician — Rola is not on the direct-bill line. Otherwise you pay for the session and receive an insurance-ready receipt to submit yourself.
Which insurers we can direct bill
Direct billing is available with Mohamad and Alison for Pacific Blue Cross, CVAP and plans on the TELUS eClaims network, such as Canada Life and Manulife.
CVAP is British Columbia's Crime Victim Assistance Program. Where the program approves counselling benefits, approved sessions are billed directly to it. How to apply is set out on the CVAP counselling page.
Pacific Blue Cross is the plan most BC clients ask about, and it is one of the three lines TEO can bill directly. CVAP — British Columbia's Crime Victim Assistance Program — is a provincial program rather than an insurer: where it approves counselling benefits, approved sessions are billed directly to the program, so there is nothing for you to pay on those sessions and no reimbursement to chase. The application route is on the CVAP counselling page.
Which clinician you see decides what can be billed
Direct billing does not cover every plan or every clinician. Which clinician you can see depends on where you are, and that determines whether direct billing is available — Mohamad and Alison are on the direct-bill line.
Mohamad Shabib — MACP, CCC
Direct billing available. Mohamad Shabib is a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC).
Alison Shaji — MA, RCC
Direct billing available. Alison Shaji is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) in British Columbia and works with clients in British Columbia.
Rola Shbib — BSW (Hons), RSW
Rola is not on the direct-bill line. Sessions with Rola are paid at the time, with a receipt.
How it works, session by session
You attend the session
Every session is by video.
The clinic sends the claim
When a plan allows direct billing, the clinic sends the claim to your insurer after the session.
The insurer pays the clinic
The insurer pays its covered portion straight to the clinic.
You pay the remainder
You pay only the remainder — there is nothing to submit and no reimbursement to chase.
If we cannot bill the plan
You pay for the session and receive an insurance-ready receipt to submit yourself.
If your plan is not one we can bill
Direct billing does not cover every plan or every clinician.
- Rola is not on the direct-bill line. Sessions with Rola are paid at the time, with a receipt.
- Plans differ on which designations they reimburse. Ring your provider first and ask which designations they reimburse, since plans differ on Registered Clinical Counsellor and Registered Social Worker.
- No provincial health plan in Canada covers counselling in private practice. Direct billing is an extended-health arrangement, not public coverage.
- Where direct billing is not available, you pay for the session and receive an insurance-ready receipt after every session, naming the clinician, date, service and fee.
Individual sessions are $150 for 60 minutes and couples sessions are $175; the first conversation is a free 15–20 minute consultation. Full detail is on the fees page.
Direct billing when your therapy is virtual
Every session is by video. Direct billing works the same way online as it does in person: the claim goes to your insurer after the session, and you pay only the remainder.
Sessions are by video across British Columbia; there is no office to visit. Online therapy across BC.
Where this applies
TEO sees clients in British Columbia, Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Newfoundland & Labrador. Which clinician you can see depends on where you are, and that determines whether direct billing is available — Mohamad and Alison are on the direct-bill line.
Direct billing questions, answered
Is direct billing available for online therapy?
Yes. Direct billing is available with Mohamad and Alison for Pacific Blue Cross, CVAP and plans on the TELUS eClaims network, such as Canada Life and Manulife. Every session is by video. Direct billing works the same way online as it does in person: the claim goes to your insurer after the session, and you pay only the remainder.
Where can I find a direct billing therapist in Vancouver?
Yes. Sessions are by video across British Columbia, including Vancouver; there is no office to visit. Direct billing is available with Mohamad and Alison for Pacific Blue Cross, CVAP and plans on the TELUS eClaims network, such as Canada Life and Manulife.
Where can I find direct billing for psychotherapy in Toronto?
Yes. Every session is by video, including for clients in Ontario. Direct billing is available with Mohamad and Alison for Pacific Blue Cross, CVAP and plans on the TELUS eClaims network, such as Canada Life and Manulife. It is not available for every plan or every clinician — Rola is not on the direct-bill line.
Is counselling covered by insurance in Canada?
Many extended health plans reimburse part or all of the fee, but no provincial health plan in Canada covers counselling in private practice. Plans differ on which designations they reimburse, so ask your provider which they accept.
Is counselling covered by MSP in BC?
No. No provincial health plan in Canada covers counselling in private practice. Direct billing is an extended-health arrangement, not public coverage. Through an extended health plan, or through CVAP if you are eligible, TEO can direct-bill Pacific Blue Cross, CVAP and plans on the TELUS eClaims network when you see Mohamad or Alison.
Is therapy covered by OHIP in Toronto?
No. No provincial health plan in Canada covers counselling in private practice. Direct billing is an extended-health arrangement, not public coverage. TEO sees clients in Ontario by video. Direct billing is available with Mohamad and Alison for Pacific Blue Cross, CVAP and plans on the TELUS eClaims network.
What happens if my claim is declined?
Where direct billing is not available, you pay for the session and receive an insurance-ready receipt after every session, naming the clinician, date, service and fee.
Does Pacific Blue Cross cover counselling?
Direct billing is available with Mohamad and Alison for Pacific Blue Cross, CVAP and TELUS eClaims plans (Canada Life, Manulife). Coverage still depends on the credentials your plan recognizes. This is not a blanket yes for every Pacific Blue Cross plan or every clinician.
Do you bill my insurance company directly?
Often, yes, when you see Mohamad or Alison and the plan is one we can bill — Pacific Blue Cross, CVAP, and plans on the TELUS eClaims network such as Canada Life and Manulife. Where yours is not one of them, you pay for the session and receive an insurance-ready receipt to submit yourself. Rola is not on the direct-bill line.
Which designation should I look for in my plan?
Whichever one matches the clinician you would be seeing. Mohamad Shabib is a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC). Alison Shaji is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) in British Columbia. Rola Shbib is a Registered Social Worker (RSW) in Ontario. Plans differ on which of those they name, and it is the single most common reason a claim gets declined.
Book a free consultation
The first conversation is a free 15–20 minute consultation. Direct billing is available with Mohamad and Alison for Pacific Blue Cross, CVAP and plans on the TELUS eClaims network.
Book Free ConsultationOr call: (519) 760-5211
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If you have a question about direct billing or which clinician can bill your plan, send a note and we will reply by email.