Tips on Private Speech/Language Services

If you need Private Speech/Language Pathology Services there are some important points to remember:

a) If you have Extended Health Care Benefits through your employer, be sure to check to see if the cost of speech therapy is covered. If you can only get such assistance after a doctor's referral is provided, be aware that the insurance company will only pay for the therapy sessions dated after the doctor's referral is given.

Some people have run into problems with this because they started therapy and then got the referral. The initial sessions were not paid for by insurance.

Any Extended Health Care plan will require the speech/language pathologist's registration number. If you are dealing with someone new, be sure that a number is available to ensure competency.

b) If you do not have Extended Health Insurance, and public speech therapy services are not available to you, it is possible for you to claim the cost of therapy on your Income Tax return as a Medical Expense.

Submitted by Karen Silburn
 

NOTE: In May 1997 it was announced that GST should be charged on the purchase of speech-language pathology services effective January 1998. The Honourable Paul Martin has advised CASLPA that legislation has been delayed and GST should not be charged at this time.