How does Manulife cover therapy?
According to Manulife, coverage amounts, maximums and practitioner types vary by plan, so your own plan sets the amount and the titles it accepts.
That makes the therapist's designation the first thing to check. First Session profiles show the licence and designation, and fees appear before you book, so you can compare a therapist with your plan before the first session.
What to know about Manulife coverage in Montreal
Online and in-person
Both formats are available in Montreal, and the listings above show who offers which. The second list shows therapists from other provinces who are insured to provide online therapy in Quebec.
Manulife says psychologists, social workers, counsellors and psychotherapists can submit provider eclaims in provinces where they are provincially regulated. First Session's online therapy guide advises checking whether your plan covers designations from outside your province.
Credentials in Quebec
The Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association reports that the title psychotherapist and the practice of psychotherapy are reserved in Quebec. A person who is neither a physician nor a psychologist needs a psychotherapist permit from the Ordre des psychologues du Québec (OPQ).
The OPQ directory lets the public look up members and permit holders. Social workers covered by the McGill plan belong to the Ordre des travailleurs sociaux et des thérapeutes conjugaux et familiaux du Québec.
Cost and insurance
The OPQ states that Quebec has no fee schedule for private psychotherapy sessions. It gives a guideline of $120 to $180 for a 50-minute session.
McGill University's health plan is administered by Manulife. It pays 80% of eligible expenses up to an annual maximum of $2,000 for licensed psychologists, psychotherapists, family or marriage therapists and social workers. Your booklet sets your own figures.
French and English
Manulife lists live care support in English and French, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. On First Session, filter by language to find a therapist who works in French, English or both.
How to confirm your Manulife coverage and choose a therapist
Open your benefits booklet or the plan member site and look for psychologists, psychotherapists, social workers and counsellors. Note the percentage, the annual maximum and the practitioner types listed. Manulife says you can also check your balance in the Manulife Mobile app.
2Match the designation
Compare the licence and designation on each profile with the types your plan names. If your plan lists psychologists and social workers, start with those designations. If it lists psychotherapists, look for that designation on the profile.
3Read the receipt requirements
Manulife's claim form asks for an itemized receipt with the practitioner's name and type, the date, the visit length, the charge and the licence number. For psychotherapy, it also asks you to note the type of session. First Session emails a receipt after each session.
4Ask about claims in the consultation
A profile indicates whether the therapist offers a free consultation. Ask whether the therapist can submit eclaims for you or whether you pay and upload the receipt yourself. Ask about the length of the session too, since the claim form asks for it.
5Watch the intro video
A coverage table cannot tell you whether you would feel comfortable with a therapist. The intro video can. Watch two or three before you book.
Looking for something more specific?
Filter by specialty in Montreal
Anxiety therapists in Montreal
Trauma therapists in Montreal
All therapists in Montreal
Other insurers in Montreal
Sun Life therapists in Montreal
Canada Life therapists in Montreal
Green Shield therapists in Montreal
Nearby cities
Therapists serving Laval
Manulife therapists in other places
Manulife therapists in Quebec
Manulife therapists in Ontario
Helpful reading
How to find a therapist or psychologist in Montreal
How to find a therapist covered by insurance in Canada
Online vs in-person therapy
How we vet our therapists and counsellors
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