Now Offering Telus eClaims Direct Billing in BC
We have some exciting news for our Nimble community: we’re now set up to provide TELUS Health eClaims direct billing for counselling sessions across British Columbia! In plain language, this means our team can now bill many extended health insurance plans on your behalf, so you don’t have to pay the full session cost upfront or handle insurance paperwork yourself. Whether you see us in person at our Vancouver office or through online counselling anywhere in BC, you can take advantage of this service. This change is part of our commitment to come alongside you with accessible care – less stress, more support, and one less barrier between you and the help you deserve.
Until now, Nimble Counselling did not offer direct billing – clients paid for each session and then submitted receipts to their insurance for reimbursement. We know that process could add extra stress and waiting. With Telus eClaims, we’re thrilled to make getting support a little easier and more affordable for you.
What is Telus eClaims?
Simply put, Telus eClaims is an online direct billing service that allows healthcare providers (like our counsellors) to submit insurance claims on behalf of clients. It’s a platform provided by TELUS Health that connects to a wide range of insurance companies. Instead of you paying the full session fee and then waiting weeks for your insurance to pay you back, eClaims lets us bill the insurer directly for the covered portion of the session. You only need to pay any remaining amount (like a deductible or co-pay), if anything at all.
This service has been available to other health professionals for years, and as of mid-2024 it became available to Canadian counselling professionals. We’ve now integrated eClaims into our practice management (Jane app) to benefit our clients. In short, Telus eClaims is all about convenience: it streamlines the insurance process so that using your extended health benefits for counselling is hassle-free.
How Direct Billing Works at Nimble Counselling
All of our counsellors at Nimble (who are Registered Clinical Counsellors, RCCs) are now set up to direct bill through Telus eClaims. We don’t have administrative staff – instead, your own counsellor will securely process the claim right after your session, using our Jane App system. It’s a seamless process on our end, and you won’t need to fill out any tedious insurance forms in the office. Here’s how it works in practice:
Before your session: When booking your appointment (or at your first visit), let us know you’d like to use direct billing and provide your insurance details. We’ll likely collect your insurer name, your policy/member number, and the policy holder’s name and date of birth. (Tip: It’s a good idea to double-check with your insurer beforehand that your plan covers counselling with an RCC in BC – most do, but every plan is different.)
During your session: Focus on your therapy – nothing changes in the counselling itself. Near the end of the session, your counsellor will briefly confirm your coverage and submit the claim electronically through Telus eClaims. This only takes a minute or two.
After submitting the claim: We receive an instant response from the insurer. In most cases, we’ll know right away how much of the session fee is covered. The insurance will pay us the covered amount directly, and you’ll only be charged for any portion not covered by your plan (for example, a co-pay or remaining balance). We’ll charge that to your credit card on file or arrange payment as usual, but it will be a smaller amount – or sometimes $0 if you’re fully covered!
No paperwork for you: Because we handle the claim, you won’t need to submit anything to your insurance company. We will provide you a receipt showing that direct billing was done. You can walk out (or sign off your online session) knowing the payment side is taken care of.
This process applies to both in-person counselling in Vancouver and online counselling sessions across BC – the direct billing works the same way. Our goal is that you end each session focusing on what matters – your healing and progress – rather than worrying about receipts or reimbursements. As one practitioner noted about using eClaims, it’s a relief to end a session on a healing note instead of a transactional one.
Which Insurers Are Covered?
Telus eClaims works with a broad network of insurance companies and employee benefit plans. We can directly bill many major insurers and plan administrators, including examples like Canada Life, Manulife, Industrial Alliance (iA Financial), Beneva, ClaimSecure, Johnston Group/Chambers of Commerce, Cowan, Equitable Life, Maximum Benefit, People Corporation, UV Insurance, and more. If you have extended health benefits in BC, there’s a good chance we can submit the claim on the spot – this covers a wide range of employer group plans and insurance carriers that partner with Telus Health’s network.
That said, not every insurer is on the Telus eClaims system for counselling services. Notably, Pacific Blue Cross – one of BC’s largest insurance providers – currently does not permit direct billing for counsellors via Telus eClaims. (We’re hopeful this might change in the future, but for now it’s an industry limitation.) Also, some plans from major insurers like Sun Life may not be integrated with eClaims for counselling, even if they cover our services. If your insurer isn’t part of the eClaims program, don’t worry – you can still use your benefits, but the process will be the traditional pay-and-submit method. We’ll issue you an official receipt after your session, and you can submit it to your insurance for reimbursement just as you did before. Most insurers have convenient online or app-based claim submission for members, and many reimburse within a few days.
Important: Coverage can vary by plan, even within the same insurance company. We recommend checking with your insurance provider (or your HR department) to confirm two things: 1) that your plan covers counselling sessions with a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) or equivalent in British Columbia, and 2) whether your plan allows direct billing. While many plans do cover RCC services, a few require a psychologist or social worker, or they may not yet allow direct billing for mental health services. It’s always best to know your own coverage details upfront. If you’re unsure, we’re happy to help you figure it out – feel free to reach out to us with any questions about your counselling insurance coverage in BC.
Why It Matters for Mental Health Access
You might be wondering why we’re so enthusiastic about adding direct billing. The answer is simple: it removes a common barrier to accessing therapy. Many people have extended health benefits that cover counselling, but the hassle of paying the full fee upfront and then waiting for reimbursement can deter them from seeking help. For some, especially those on tight budgets, the upfront cost – even if reimbursed later – becomes a significant obstacle. In fact, research in healthcare has found that having to pay out of pocket and do insurance claims can cause financial strain and even discourage folks from getting the care they need.
By offering direct billing, we aim to “take the financial strain out of therapy” for our clients. When we bill your insurer directly, you only pay the uninsured portion of the session, if there is one, and you don’t have to file a claim yourself. This means immediate financial relief: you’re not out-of-pocket for the full session fee while waiting for your insurance to cut you a cheque. It also means less time and energy spent on paperwork, so you can focus on your healing process instead of on forms and receipts. In short, direct billing makes counselling more affordable and accessible for many British Columbians. It aligns with Nimble’s core values of inclusion and client-centered care – we want our services to be as easy to access as possible.
Removing the upfront payment barrier can be life-changing for someone who needs support now but might otherwise delay or avoid therapy due to cost. It’s one more way to reduce stress during what may be an already challenging time. Our hope is that by handling the billing for you, we’re lightening your load: less financial stress, more support for your mental health. In the spirit of our client-first approach, we’re always looking for ways to make counselling accessible therapy in BC, and eClaims is a big step in that direction. As TELUS Health data shows, the vast majority of Canadians appreciate direct billing and even prefer healthcare providers who offer it– it’s our pleasure to bring this convenience to our clients.
How to Get Started with Direct Billing
Ready to take advantage of direct billing at Nimble Counselling? Getting started is simple and we’re here to help you through it. Here’s what to do:
Confirm Your Coverage: First, check your extended health benefits plan to ensure that counselling with a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) is covered. (Most plans in BC do cover RCCs or equivalent designations, but it’s good to double-check any conditions, like a doctor’s note or an annual limit.) While you’re at it, ask if direct billing is available for your plan – some insurers use different systems or have specific rules. This step can give you peace of mind before your appointment.
Book an Appointment: Schedule your counselling session through our online booking system. You can book in-person in Vancouver or online anywhere in BC – direct billing works for all appointment types. When booking, you can mention that you’d like to use direct billing in the intake form or let your counsellor know directly. 【22†Book a session†nimblecounselling.janeapp.com】
Provide Insurance Details: We’ll need some information to process your eClaim. If you’re a new client, our intake forms (via Jane) will prompt you to input your insurance details. If you’re an existing client, you can update your profile on Jane or simply bring your insurance card/info to your next session. We’ll likely ask for your policy number, member ID, insurer name, and the name/date of birth of the primary insured (if it’s through a family member’s plan). Rest assured, this information is kept secure and confidential.
Enjoy Your Session – We’ll Handle the Rest: Come to your counselling session as you normally would, knowing that we’ve got the billing side covered. After your session, your counsellor will submit the claim through Telus eClaims. If the claim is approved, you’ll either pay nothing at all (if your insurer covers 100% up to the limit) or you’ll just pay the balance not covered (for example, if your plan covers 80%, you’d pay the remaining 20%). No more paying the full amount and then waiting to get reimbursed – it’s done in real-time. We’ll let you know the outcome immediately and answer any questions you have.
That’s it! Direct billing might feel new, but you’ll quickly get used to the ease of it. Of course, our team is here to help if you have any questions along the way. You can always contact us if you’re unsure about your coverage or how to set up direct billing – we’re happy to walk you through it.
Taking the Next Step: We’re truly excited to offer this service and make counselling even more accessible for our clients. If you’ve been considering therapy – or have been putting it off because of the upfront costs – now is a great time to start. Our team of compassionate, trauma-informed counsellors is ready to support you, and with direct billing in place, it’s easier than ever to use the benefits you’re entitled to.
Ready to begin your counselling journey with less stress around finances?
We look forward to coming alongside you and supporting you on your path to wellness, with the added convenience of direct billing to make the process that much smoother.
