Send a letter to your health benefits plan administrator

In just two quick steps, you can send a letter to your health benefits plan administrator using the form below.

I reside in Alberta and I am a: *Senior on Alberta Blue CrossTeacherRetired AUPE MemberSelf Employed on Alberta Blue Cross

CCSD or ASEBP? *

Select a subject for your message: *

Your Name *

Email Address *

Employee or Plan Number (optional)

Body

Re: Inclusion of occupational therapy services in Alberta Blue Cross Coverage for Seniors

Dear Manager of Individual Products and Sales:

Occupational therapists (OTs) provide essential health services which help to prevent worsening health, loss of valued life roles, and chronic disability in older adults.

Our publicly funded health system does not always provide timely or individualized support for older adults facing threats to their independence. This even includes timely access to assessments and authorizations for medical equipment or home modifications that are essential and government or charity-funded. There is a vital role for skilled private practice occupational therapists to work with older adults and their families to help solve problems or access resources proactively before functional losses become permanent and their health deteriorates.

Occupational therapists respond to the interaction of the person, their valued activities, and their environment. This holistic view combined with a practical approach is proven to be effective at improving function and lifestyle for older adults.

An occupational therapist’s approach can be an efficient way of managing complex health needs. Occupational therapy assessments attend to physical, mental, cognitive, social, and spiritual health. Treatment assists individuals to prioritize issues, set goals, create action plans, and learn new skills. Safety equipment and home modifications can also be accessed with skilled assistance from an occupational therapist.

Occupational therapy services can be offered in homes or residences, in-person, virtually, or by telephone. They involve both clients and caregivers. Short-term services from an occupational therapist can help proactively solve problems and help older adults achieve or maintain optimal independence, safety, and use of resources so they can live in their chosen environments with peace of mind.

As an individual potentially impacted by the lack of coverage for occupational therapy service for seniors, I ask that coverage for occupational therapy be included in my benefit plan, as they are essential providers and will add value to my insurance plan.

Please confirm receipt of my email and let me know about the next steps to put occupational therapy coverage in place. I can be reached by email for further information. Thank you for considering my request.

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RE: Addition of occupational therapy services to the extended health benefits plan

Dear Benefit Services:

I understand that ASEBP does not offer occupational therapy services as part of my extended health benefits plan. I ask that you consider adding occupational therapy as a provider option in the plan. I believe occupational therapists would be an important addition.

Occupational therapy provides low cost, high impact solutions to many physical, cognitive, and mental health-related difficulties and can assist a person to prevent or lessen the impact of these health difficulties. Occupational therapy services can also help with improving health, wellness, and effectiveness in the workforce. Using a holistic approach, OTs consider the medical, social, psychological, and environmental factors that contribute to an individual’s function. Health and illness prevention includes work/life balance, therapy for our children and ergonomic considerations. I would like to be able to access these kinds of support. This would not increase the cost of the plan, as it would simply add occupational therapy as a choice on a list of available services.

There is evidence that occupational therapy interventions are proven to reduce disability claims. According to the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association, total payments to Canadians by the insurance industry for private health and disability benefits amounted to $32.2 billion dollars in 2017. Reports by Parachute, the Conference Board of Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada estimate that workplace injuries cost the Canadian economy $26.8 billion in 2015, while workplace mental health issues cost the country’s economy $32.3 billion annually. Occupational therapists (OTs) could reduce these costs by proactively addressing barriers in the workplace and facilitating a timely return to work after an illness or injury.

Please consider this request seriously. As an individual currently impacted by the lack of coverage for occupational therapy service for teachers, I ask that occupational therapy coverage be included in my benefit plan. Recently both the Alberta Retired Teachers Association and the United Nurses of Alberta updated the health care benefits coverage to include OT services.

I would appreciate a confirmation of receipt of my email and that you let me know about the next steps to put occupational therapy coverage in place. I can be reached by email for further information. Thank you for considering my request.

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RE: Addition of occupational therapy services to the extended health benefits plan

Dear Benefit Services:

I understand that CCSD does not offer occupational therapy services as part of my extended health benefits plan. I ask that you consider adding occupational therapy as a provider option in the plan. I believe occupational therapists would be an important addition.

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RE: Inclusion of occupational therapy services as an extended health benefit

Dear Mr. Kickham:

I understand that AUPE’s Retired Members Benefit Plan does not offer occupational therapy services as part of the extended health benefits administered by Sun Life and CUMIS General Insurance Company. As a retired member of AUPE, I am requesting that occupational therapy be added to my plan. I believe occupational therapy to be an important addition.

Occupational therapy [OT] provides low cost, high impact solutions to many physical, cognitive, and mental health-related difficulties and can assist a person to prevent or lessen the impact of these health difficulties. OT services can also assist in developing better practices that will lead to an improved level of health, wellness, and productivity at home or in the community.

OTs play an important role in promoting healthy aging. According to the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association, total payments to Canadians by the insurance industry for private health and disability benefits amounted to $32.3 billion dollars in 2017. OTs can reduce these costs by proactively addressing barriers after an illness or injury. Using a holistic approach, OTs consider the medical, social, psychological, and environmental factors that contribute to an individual’s function, whether at home or in the community. Inclusion of OT is an integral part of an effective health management strategy.

In Alberta, there is limited coverage for OT services outside of provincially-funded facilities such as hospitals and long term care. Patients fall between the gaps when they do not qualify for specific community based services such as home care. There are also limited rehabilitation services for various disabilities and medical conditions in communities throughout Alberta. A significant benefit of including coverage for OT services is that private practice OTs provide in person and virtual interventions in the home, and in the community where functional challenges are actually occurring.

Just this year, both the Alberta Retired Teachers Association and the United Nurses of Alberta’s supplementary health care benefits coverage were updated to include OT services. As of March of 2022, TELUS Health enabled OTs to direct bill electronically on behalf of clients who are covered by Johnston, Alberta Blue Cross, RWAM, Desjardins, Beneva and other insurers.

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RE: Inclusion of occupational therapy services as an extended health benefit within my Individual Health Plan

Dear Manager of Individual Products and Sales:

As an Individual Plan member, I am surprised that Alberta Blue Cross does not include occupational therapy as one of the Paramedical Practitioners within the Individual Plans offered. Especially given that several Group Plans administered by Alberta Blue Cross do include occupational therapy coverage.

Occupational therapy provides low cost, high impact solutions to many physical and mental health-related issues and can prevent problems before they occur. Occupational therapy interventions lead to an improved level of health, wellness, and productivity for individuals and families and should be an essential component of any comprehensive benefits package as there is evidence that occupational therapy interventions are proven to reduce disability claims.

The Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association, total payments to Canadians by the insurance industry for private health and disability benefits amounted to $32.2 billion dollars in 2017. Reports by Parachute, the Conference Board of Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada estimate that workplace injuries cost the Canadian economy $26.8 billion in 2015, while workplace mental health issues cost the country’s economy $32.3 billion annually. Occupational therapists (OTs) can reduce these costs by proactively addressing barriers in the workplace and facilitating a timely return to work after an illness or injury. Similar support can be provided in the home and to families. Using a holistic approach, OTs consider the medical, social, psychological, and environmental factors that contribute to an individual’s function. Inclusion of OTs is an integral part of an effective health management strategy.

I am requesting the inclusion of occupational therapy services in my benefits plan. This would not increase the cost of the plan, as it would simply add occupational therapy as a choice on a list of the extended health benefits already provided.

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- Kevyn T.

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-Carrie

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Society of Alberta Occupational Therapists

info@saot.ca