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In recent years, online speech therapy has become a popular option for families and individuals looking for convenient and effective communication support. Whether it's for a child with a speech delay, an adult recovering from a stroke, or someone needing help with pronunciation or stuttering, online therapy offers a flexible solution right from home.
But one big question that many people in Canada ask before starting therapy is: “Is online speech therapy covered by insurance?”
In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about speech therapy coverage in Canada — how it works, what insurance plans typically include, and how you can get started without financial stress. We’ll also talk about private insurance, government support, and what to do if you have to pay out of pocket.
Let’s break it down in simple and clear terms.
What Is Online Speech Therapy?
Before we dive into insurance, let’s quickly understand what online speech therapy is.
Online speech therapy is a virtual service provided by a certified speech-language pathologist (SLP). Instead of meeting at a clinic or hospital, you connect with your therapist through a secure video call using a computer, tablet, or phone. The therapist provides the same type of support and treatment as they would in person, including:
Providers like SpeechHub make it easy for families across Canada to access licensed SLPs online without having to travel or wait for months.
Is Speech Therapy Usually Covered in Canada?
The answer is yes, but it depends on a few things — like your province, age, medical condition, and whether you’re using public or private health insurance.
In Canada, speech therapy can be funded through:
However, online speech therapy may not always be included in every plan. Let’s look at each of these options more closely.
1. Coverage Through Public Health Services
Each province and territory in Canada has its own healthcare system, and speech therapy is not always fully covered under public health insurance like OHIP (Ontario), AHCIP (Alberta), or MSP (British Columbia). Here’s how public coverage typically works: Children (Under 18):
✅ Free public speech therapy may be available for children, with restrictions
❌ Online speech therapy is not commonly offered through public health
✅ Adults may get short-term help in hospital settings
❌ Long-term therapy often requires private options
2. Coverage Through Private Health Insurance
Many Canadians have private health insurance through their employer, school, or purchased individually. These plans often cover speech therapy, including online speech therapy, as long as it’s provided by a licensed speech-language pathologist. What to Check in Your Insurance Plan:
✅ Is Speech Therapy Included?
Most major insurance providers in Canada do cover online speech therapy, including:
Always double-check with your provider before starting therapy to be sure.
3. What If You Don’t Have Insurance?
Not everyone in Canada has private health insurance. If that’s your situation, you can still get help. Here are some options:
✅ Pay Out-of-Pocket
How to Get Started with Covered Online Speech Therapy
If you're ready to begin but want to make sure you're covered, here’s a simple step-by-step process to follow: Step 1: Contact Your Insurance Provider
Call your provider and ask:
Choose a provider like SpeechHub that offers:
Many services offer free 15–30 minute consultations so you can ask questions and see if it's the right fit. Step 4: Submit Receipts
After each session, you’ll receive a receipt that includes the therapist’s license number and session details. You can submit it to your insurance company for reimbursement.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Do I need a doctor’s referral to use insurance for speech therapy?
Some insurance plans ask for a referral, but many don’t. It’s best to check with your provider first. 2. How much does online speech therapy cost in Canada without insurance?
Prices vary, but a typical session costs between $80 to $150. Some providers offer discounted packages for multiple sessions. 3. Is online therapy just as effective as in-person?
Yes! Research shows that online speech therapy is just as effective for many clients, especially for children with speech delays or adults working on speech clarity. 4. Can I switch from in-person to online therapy and still be covered?
In many cases, yes. As long as the therapist is licensed, insurance should cover both options. 5. Can my child get therapy while on a waitlist for public services?
Absolutely. You can begin private online speech therapy right away while waiting for a spot in a public program. Many families choose this option.
Final Thoughts
So, is online speech therapy covered by insurance in Canada? For many families, the answer is yes — especially if you have private health benefits. While public programs may offer some services, they often come with long wait times and limited access.
Online speech therapy is a modern, flexible, and effective way to get help with communication skills — and the good news is, it’s now widely accepted by insurance providers across Canada. Whether you’re helping a child improve their speech or working on adult communication goals, online therapy can make a real difference.
Before starting, take a few minutes to call your insurance company, ask the right questions, and make sure your therapy costs are covered. And if you're not covered, remember that there are still affordable ways to get the support you need.
Therapy should never be out of reach — and with online speech therapy, it doesn’t have to be.
But one big question that many people in Canada ask before starting therapy is: “Is online speech therapy covered by insurance?”
In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about speech therapy coverage in Canada — how it works, what insurance plans typically include, and how you can get started without financial stress. We’ll also talk about private insurance, government support, and what to do if you have to pay out of pocket.
Let’s break it down in simple and clear terms.
What Is Online Speech Therapy?
Before we dive into insurance, let’s quickly understand what online speech therapy is.
Online speech therapy is a virtual service provided by a certified speech-language pathologist (SLP). Instead of meeting at a clinic or hospital, you connect with your therapist through a secure video call using a computer, tablet, or phone. The therapist provides the same type of support and treatment as they would in person, including:
- Helping children develop speech sounds or improve language skills
- Supporting adults with speech challenges after an injury or illness
- Working with people who stutter or have trouble communicating clearly
- Providing voice therapy, social skills training, and more
Providers like SpeechHub make it easy for families across Canada to access licensed SLPs online without having to travel or wait for months.
Is Speech Therapy Usually Covered in Canada?
The answer is yes, but it depends on a few things — like your province, age, medical condition, and whether you’re using public or private health insurance.
In Canada, speech therapy can be funded through:
- Public health services (provincial healthcare programs, hospitals, schools)
- Private health insurance (through work or individual plans)
- Out-of-pocket payment (if not covered)
However, online speech therapy may not always be included in every plan. Let’s look at each of these options more closely.
1. Coverage Through Public Health Services
Each province and territory in Canada has its own healthcare system, and speech therapy is not always fully covered under public health insurance like OHIP (Ontario), AHCIP (Alberta), or MSP (British Columbia). Here’s how public coverage typically works: Children (Under 18):
- Some provinces offer free speech therapy through public schools, early intervention programs, or children’s treatment centers.
- Wait times can be long — sometimes 6 months to a year or more.
- Services are often in-person and limited in how many sessions are offered.
- Online therapy is rarely available through public services at this time.
- In most cases, adults do not receive free speech therapy through public healthcare unless it is:
- Part of hospital care after a stroke or surgery
- Related to medical rehab programs
- These services are usually short-term and not available for long-term support or mild speech issues.
✅ Free public speech therapy may be available for children, with restrictions
❌ Online speech therapy is not commonly offered through public health
✅ Adults may get short-term help in hospital settings
❌ Long-term therapy often requires private options
2. Coverage Through Private Health Insurance
Many Canadians have private health insurance through their employer, school, or purchased individually. These plans often cover speech therapy, including online speech therapy, as long as it’s provided by a licensed speech-language pathologist. What to Check in Your Insurance Plan:
✅ Is Speech Therapy Included?
- Look under paramedical services or rehabilitation services
- It might be listed along with physiotherapy or occupational therapy
- Some plans don’t mention online therapy specifically, but they still cover it as long as the provider is certified
- During and after the COVID-19 pandemic, most insurers began accepting virtual services
- Plans may cover:
- A dollar amount per year (e.g., $500, $1000)
- A maximum number of sessions per year (e.g., 10–20)
- Some may need a doctor’s referral to start
- Some providers can bill the insurance company directly
- Others will give you a receipt to submit for reimbursement
Most major insurance providers in Canada do cover online speech therapy, including:
- Manulife
- Sun Life
- Canada Life
- Blue Cross
- Green Shield
- Desjardins
- And more
Always double-check with your provider before starting therapy to be sure.
3. What If You Don’t Have Insurance?
Not everyone in Canada has private health insurance. If that’s your situation, you can still get help. Here are some options:
✅ Pay Out-of-Pocket
- Many online speech therapy providers offer affordable pricing and flexible payment plans
- Initial consultations are often free, and some services offer packages to save money
- Some families or self-employed people set up an HSA to cover therapy and medical costs
- Online speech therapy is a qualified expense
- Some local organizations, school boards, or Indigenous services provide funding
- Check with your local children’s aid society or family support program
- In Canada, speech therapy can be claimed as a medical expense on your tax return
- Ask your accountant or visit the CRA website for details
How to Get Started with Covered Online Speech Therapy
If you're ready to begin but want to make sure you're covered, here’s a simple step-by-step process to follow: Step 1: Contact Your Insurance Provider
Call your provider and ask:
- Do you cover speech therapy with a licensed speech-language pathologist?
- Is online speech therapy included?
- What are the yearly limits or number of sessions?
- Do I need a referral from a doctor?
- Do you accept receipts from virtual providers like SpeechHub?
Choose a provider like SpeechHub that offers:
- Licensed therapists registered in your province
- Secure, HIPAA-compliant video calls
- Session receipts that meet insurance requirements
- Flexible scheduling and family-friendly support
Many services offer free 15–30 minute consultations so you can ask questions and see if it's the right fit. Step 4: Submit Receipts
After each session, you’ll receive a receipt that includes the therapist’s license number and session details. You can submit it to your insurance company for reimbursement.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Do I need a doctor’s referral to use insurance for speech therapy?
Some insurance plans ask for a referral, but many don’t. It’s best to check with your provider first. 2. How much does online speech therapy cost in Canada without insurance?
Prices vary, but a typical session costs between $80 to $150. Some providers offer discounted packages for multiple sessions. 3. Is online therapy just as effective as in-person?
Yes! Research shows that online speech therapy is just as effective for many clients, especially for children with speech delays or adults working on speech clarity. 4. Can I switch from in-person to online therapy and still be covered?
In many cases, yes. As long as the therapist is licensed, insurance should cover both options. 5. Can my child get therapy while on a waitlist for public services?
Absolutely. You can begin private online speech therapy right away while waiting for a spot in a public program. Many families choose this option.
Final Thoughts
So, is online speech therapy covered by insurance in Canada? For many families, the answer is yes — especially if you have private health benefits. While public programs may offer some services, they often come with long wait times and limited access.
Online speech therapy is a modern, flexible, and effective way to get help with communication skills — and the good news is, it’s now widely accepted by insurance providers across Canada. Whether you’re helping a child improve their speech or working on adult communication goals, online therapy can make a real difference.
Before starting, take a few minutes to call your insurance company, ask the right questions, and make sure your therapy costs are covered. And if you're not covered, remember that there are still affordable ways to get the support you need.
Therapy should never be out of reach — and with online speech therapy, it doesn’t have to be.