Using Employer Group Benefits for Autism Therapy
Direct answer
Some employer group benefit plans cover psychology, speech therapy and occupational therapy under paramedical benefits. For example, the federal Public Service Health Care Plan lists a $5,000 yearly maximum for psychological services and reimburses 80% of eligible expenses. Coordinate spouses’ plans and claim the unreimbursed part on your tax return.
Key facts
- Psychology (federal PSHCP example)
- Maximum $5,000 per calendar year
- Speech and audiology (PSHCP example)
- Combined maximum $750 per calendar year
- OT (PSHCP example)
- Maximum $300 per calendar year
- Coordination Available
- Yes (2 plans)
What this means for your family
Ask your plan administrator for the benefits booklet that lists paramedical maximums by category, since some plans set separate limits for psychology, speech, and occupational therapy. If both parents carry coverage, use the birthday rule: the parent born earlier in the calendar year submits first, then the remaining balance goes to the other parent's plan as secondary coverage. Request a separate receipt for each type of therapy your child receives. Save every receipt and explanation of benefits statement, since you will need them again when you claim the unreimbursed part of eligible medical expenses on your tax return. Check when your plan's yearly maximums reset, since some plans, such as the federal Public Service Health Care Plan, use the calendar year. This affects how you time claims near year end. Ask your plan administrator how it wants claims submitted.
The numbers behind this answer
Every answer on this site sits on the same verified counts. These are the current figures.
Ontario's figures, as of May 2026 (MCCSS FOI via OAC · May 2026).
Registered
91,974Children registered
Total registered in the Ontario Autism Program
Funded
20,711Have active funding
22.5% of registered children
Without active agreement
71,263Without an active funding agreement
An administrative status; it does not confirm current service delivery.
Show as table
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Children registered | 91,974 |
| Have active funding | 20,711 |
| Without an active funding agreement | 71,263 |
About This Article
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Maximizing Your Coverage
- If both parents have employer benefits, coordinate claims between plans. Submit first to the plan of the parent whose birthday falls earlier in the year (birthday rule), then submit the remaining amount to the other parent's plan for secondary coverage.
- Ask your plan administrator whether it sets separate limits by category (for example psychology, speech therapy and occupational therapy), and how it wants receipts submitted.
Frequently asked questions
Possibly. Some employer group benefit plans cover dependent children's therapy under paramedical benefits including psychology, speech-language pathology, and occupational therapy. Review your plan certificate for specific autism-related coverage and limits.
Yes. If both parents have employer benefits, claim first under the birthday-rule primary plan, then submit the remainder to the secondary plan. Together, the two plans cannot pay more than 100% of the eligible expense.
If ABA is not specifically covered, ask if services supervised by a registered psychologist qualify under "psychology" benefits. Contact your insurer to clarify.
Sources
Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association, Guideline G4: Coordination of Benefits - Group Health and Dental
Next steps
Keep going with related guidance, tools, and evidence.
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