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Fees: $130 per session of 55 minutes. |
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For those individuals who cannot currently afford
the full fee and have no external funding, I may consider a payment plan to
spread the fees out over time. |
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I provide subsidies for some low-income
individuals who are unable to pay the full fee and have no external funding.
This is geared to their income.
External Funding: |
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Extended Health Plans - Many people who
are employed have an extended health care plan through their employer. Many
people are also covered by a family member who has such a plan. Look in the
booklet describing your benefits or talk to your insurance company to find out
about your coverage. Coverage for psychologists varies from around $300 per
year to $1000 per year for most plans. You pay me and submit the receipt to
the insurance company who reimburses you. |
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WorkSafe BC (Worker's Compensation Board) - I have a
contract to provide services for injured workers in Victoria with an accepted
claim. Contact your case manager to discuss a referral. |
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Veteran's Affairs - I am an approved
provider for veterans with Blue Cross funding. |
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Insurance companies' short- or long-term
disability plans - If you are receiving short- or long-term disability
coverage, your insurance company may be willing to fund treatment.
Contact your case manager / adjuster. |
 |
Criminal Injury
Compensation - If you have a psychological problem as a result of
having been a victim of a reported crime, you may qualify for payment of
psychotherapy services. In BC, the crime needs to have occurred since July
1972, when this program was created. If the crime occurred in BC, you can
phone (604) 244-6400 to obtain more information. |
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The Medical Services Plan in British
Columbia does not pay for the services of a private psychologist. Contact
your MLA or the Minister of Health for more details.
Tax issues which may help you save on expenses: |
 | Tax credit: You can claim, as a non-refundable tax credit,
medical expenses for yourself, your spouse or common-law partner, and your
children born in 1987 or later. For 2004, the total expenses have to be more
than 3% of your net income, or $1,813, whichever is less. You may be able to
pool your claims with those of your spouse or common-law partner. You may also
be able to claim medical expenses for the following persons if they depended
on you for support:
 | you or your spouse or common law partner's child or grandchild who was
born in 1986 or earlier; and |
 | you or your spouse or common law partner's parent or close relatives who
lived in Canada at any time in the year. For more information visit:
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tax/menu-e.html.
|
|
 | Deduction of expenses for tax purposes. You may set up a special
Health Spending Account (HSA), a uniquely designed account established
exclusively for the purposes of healthcare spending. Health Spending
Accounts can be set up by self-employed individuals through a broker.
They may already be part of your employer's benefit package. All contributions
are recognized as a 100% business deduction in the year in which they were
contributed — even if the money is not spent that year. The money can then be
used to pay for your family's healthcare expenses, as you choose. Unspent
contributions are not lost at year end. Because you don't pay tax on
these expenses, you save 17% to 50% (or whatever your tax rate is). |