CAOT Ask For It Campaign
Below are some sample letters that you can submit to your insurance company to request that they cover occupational therapy services. These letters have been drafted by the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT), but please feel free to edit them as needed.
Letter #1
To Whom It May Concern,
I recently required the services of an occupational therapist and, to my dismay, I learned that my extended health benefits plan does not cover these services. I am requesting coverage of occupational therapy services in my plan.
Occupational therapy benefits both you (the employer) and me (the employee) through early intervention, promotion of function in every-day work and home activities, and prevention of illness. As part of extended health benefits, occupational therapy services often reduce disability claims. Occupational therapists are key members of health care teams that include medicine, psychology, speech pathology and physiotherapy and no comprehensive benefits package should be considered complete without them.
Occupational therapy services would be of great benefit to me because (insert benefit to you)
Please let me know how soon occupational therapy services will be covered by my extended health benefit plan.
Sincerely,
Client’s name & insurance number
Letter #2
To Whom It May Concern:
I recently required the services of an occupational therapist and, to my dismay, I learned that I my extended health benefits plan through your company does not cover these services. I am requesting coverage of occupational therapy services in my plan.
Occupational therapy benefits both the employer and the employee through early intervention, promotion of function and independence in daily activities, and prevention of illness. As part of extended health benefits, occupational therapy services often reduce disability claims. Occupational therapists are important members of health care teams that include medicine, psychology, speech pathology and physiotherapy and no comprehensive benefits package should be considered complete without them.
As a policy holder with your company, I would appreciate a response indicating when occupational therapy services will be covered by your company and whether or not a flexible plan is being considered as an option for your clients.
Sincerely,
Client’s name