Private Insurance

Can Private Insurance Help Pay for ABA Therapy?

If your family is waiting for OAP funding, or if your child needs more therapy hours than OAP covers, private insurance may be able to help with the cost of ABA therapy.

Many workplace benefit plans through companies like Canada Life, Sun Life, Manulife, Blue Cross, and GreenShield may provide coverage under services such as psychology, psychotherapy, social work, or mental health support (including ABA provided by a Registered Behaviour Analyst).

The more families ask about coverage and advocate for change, the more likely insurance companies are to expand access for everyone.

As of July 1, 2024, Registered Behaviour Analysts (RBAs) in Ontario became regulated professionals under the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario. RBAs are also recognized by the CRA as medical practitioners.

Because this change is still new, some insurance companies have not yet updated their systems to include RBAs as approved providers.

What Can Parents Do?

If you have private insurance, here are some helpful steps:

• Ask your child’s doctor for a prescription or referral for ABA therapy. This helps show that the therapy is medically needed.

• Call your insurance company and ask if your plan covers ABA therapy under psychology, psychotherapy, or mental health services.

• Ask whether Registered Behaviour Analysts (RBAs) are included as approved providers under your plan.

• If they are not currently listed, you can advocate for coverage. Let your insurance company know that your child is receiving ABA therapy from a regulated healthcare professional in Ontario. You can also provide your RBA’s name and registration number.