Psychiatry Coverage Question

[Auburngirl]

For those of you in Canada - I'm guessing all provinces cover psychiatry - how does it work? Is there a limit? If you finish treatment and then need to go back do you have to go back to your gp and get a referral again?

I've found the fee schedule for my province, but all I've managed to glean from it is that the province pays the psychiatrist 141 an hour for psychotherapy, a referral needs to be confirmed after 6 months, and then there's a statement from the psychiatry association that short treatment is favoured due to waiting lists.

[pandora]

Ontario....

CBT is coverered if you have extended healthcare...that is an hour drive for me. The sessions are 150.00 each... extended health care covered...I think they covered about 15 sessions. I also pay approx 200.00 per month for extended healthcare. People don't often get this form of treatment in my area at least. I waited about 8 months to be referred to a mood disorders clinic, then another 6 months or more (if I am remembering correctly) and then started at an axiety treatment and research center. I know of someone else that has PTSD...no extended health care so she only qualifies to see a social worker and I beleive the wait there is quite long too.

[Auburngirl]

eek! I'm surprised I have a friend in Ontario who has being seeing a psychiatrist since Oct and it's covered by the province, it's not for PTSD though. Strange.

Here (BC) I waited a month after getting a referral from my GP, and it's fully covered by the province, but I think they like things to get sorted out quickly. I've been seeing a psychiatrist weekly for a few months. I'm hoping for the best but there's not indication things will be fast.

[pandora]

There is no cost for a psychiatrist...there is a cost for a psychologist. I also live in a rural town and most services are an hour away. I think that is why it has taken longer.