Fresh Insight

Are holistic nutritionists covered by insurance?

Please check with your specific insurance provider about if they cover Registered Holistic Nutritionists as this varies significantly.

Do you do direct billing?

Psychotherapists do not do direct billing to insurance companies at the moment. As such, it is your responsibility to provide session receipts to the provider. Be sure to confirm that psychotherapy services are covered BEFORE your first session so you are not caught off guard later. Fresh Insight provides email receipts within 24 hours of every session, which lists everything that most insurance companies need, including: service provided, therapist's registration number, therapist's credentials, office address, and more.

What are my options if my insurance provider doesn't cover psychotherapy?

If you only have coverage for a Social Worker or Psychologist, we still have options! I am supervised by both a Social Worker and Psychologist who can "sign off" on sessions so long as they provide supervision for them. In this case, however, you'll just have to complete separate paperwork as all of the invoicing will be done through their practices rather than my own. Other options include: 1. Sending a pre-written letter to your employer requesting that they add psychotherapy coverage to your benefits plan. I consider this to be the most time-effective option. 2. Having me, your psychotherapist, send this letter to your employer requesting that psychotherapists be added to their benefits plan, though this can take time and sound like a "bigger ask" from your employers' perspective. 3. Seeing your therapist on a less frequent basis. This can help mitigate costs but still allow you to work with a therapist with whom you have a good connection.

What if I don't have any insurance coverage?

If you are paying out of pocket, some ways to make therapy more affordable are to: • See you therapist less frequently (i.e. once every 2 - 4 weeks) • Ask for homework between sessions to maximize your time outside of therapy

Do you offer a sliding scale?

Making therapy accessible is important to me, which is why I DO offer a sliding scale fee of $100 + HST per 50-minute session for five sessions, so long as you are able to attend a daytime appointment (3pm or earlier). After these five sessions, the rate increases to the normal fee of $150 + HST per 50-minute session, though you are welcome to come at any time of day. At this time, there is a waitlist for sessions at the reduced rate. The approximate wait time is 3 months.

Are psychotherapists covered by OHIP?

Unlike services provided by psychiatrists, psychotherapy services are not covered by OHIP. That said, more and more private insurance companies are covering psychotherapy services (see FAQ question, 'What insurance companies cover psychotherapists?').

What insurance companies cover psychotherapists?

Although the list below describes which companies do or do not cover psychotherapy services, it's important to note that it is also up to your emplpoyer to decide if psychotherapy will be included in your benefits. Therefore, please be sure to confirm with your employer what your coverage entails.

• Equitabe Life Insurance: majority of their plans do cover psychotherapy, though they do not state the word 'psychotherapy' in their description. Rather, if your plan says you have 'clinical counselor benefits,' this typically means that you have coverage for a psychotherapist. Source: email with a representative from their Customer Care Centre.
• Empire Life: my credentials and associations meet their criteria for "Clinical Psychologist," meaning you will receive coverage for psychotherapy. Source: email with Customer Service, Group Solutions.
• Co-operators Life Insurance: psychotherapists are included under their "Paramedical" category of services. They also offer EAP programs. Source: email with Group Sales & Service Associate.
• Green Shield: they DO cover psychotherapy and I am listed as one of their providers.
• Desjardins: although they DO cover psychotherapy, the decision to include this benefit is up to your employer. If your specific plan does not include psychotherapy, it might be worth asking your employer about if they could make an exception for your plan, specifically, given that Desjardins themselves will provide coverage. Source: email with representative of Customer Contact Centre at Desjardins.

My insurance company needs some additional information about your credentials. Where can I find this information?

Within 24 hours of your session, you'll be sent an email receipt that contains all of the necessary information for your insurance company. This typically includes: my credentials, registration number, address, and more. Here is where all of this information can be found on the receipt: For your convenience, you may copy and paste the information below in an email to your benefits provider as well: • Practice name: Fresh Insight Therapy Services Ltd. • Address: 379 Church Street, Suite 402, Markham, Ontario, L6B 0T1 • Phone: (647) 300 - 9465 • Therapist/Provider: Kristina Virro • Therapist Credentials: HBa, MA, MSc, RHN, RP • Registration Number: 007684 with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario • Service provided: let them know if you received individual/couples/family psychotherapy or nutritional counselling. Please note that most insurance companies do NOT cover holistic nutritionists as of right now. Further, if you only have coverage for a psychologist and/or social worker, please go to the FAQ question above entitled, "What are my options if my insurance provider doesn't cover Registered Psychotherapy?"