At some point in life, one in five Canadians experience mental health challenges, though many don’t get help. It may be due to the stigma associated and worrying about the prejudice and discrimination attached to mental health problems, causing feelings of shame or embarrassment. Another barrier may include cost, but for many, this barrier can be overcome through workplace health care benefits.
Your workplace benefits plan could include two different areas in which your mental health support will fall under – your Paramedical Services benefit which you’ll see through your Group Benefits Extended Health Care plan and second, your Health Care Spending Account. Here’s how you can understand them:
1. Paramedical Services
The most popular offering in Canadian health care benefits packages include Paramedical Services, or "parameds." Your coverage will depend on your specific employee benefits plan but generally, you can access any service available outside of your traditional medical and dental benefits this way. Services like this include mental health therapy which you may find under your psychologist, psychotherapist or social worker coverage. Your provider will have detailed information on your specific coverage and how you can access mental health support.
2. Healthcare Spending Account
A Healthcare Spending Account (HCSA), which can also be referred to as a Health Spending Account (HSA) or a Personal Spending Account (PSA) offers you a predetermined dollar amount that you can access as an employee for eligible medical expenses. These fall outside of what you're already covered for under your Group Benefits Plan or your spouse’s, if this would be accessible to you. Each year, it is up to your plan sponsor to determine the amount you have access to which is outside of your fully insured plan with Extended Health Care (EHC) coverage. Consider this like a bank account you can use towards mental health therapy or any other eligible health and dental expenses.
Most benefit plans in Canada cover MindBeacon as a reimbursable expense under the above listed categories, though each provider is different. We suggest that you review your coverage and contact your provider for detailed information on whether MindBeacon’s costs are reimbursable. For more information on the therapy we offer, contact us today.