Accessing Private Addictions Services in Saskatchewan

The Government of Saskatchewan funds a range of free publicly funded mental health and addictions services across the province. Information on the different types of services offered through the Saskatchewan Health Authority and other community partners is available.

Find the closest Saskatchewan Health Authority Mental Health and Addictions Intake line to you.

A map of free publicly funded mental health and addictions services in Saskatchewan is available.

Many mental health and addictions service providers offer treatment in private settings across the province. The main difference is that these providers do not receive funding from the Government of Saskatchewan and are able to set their own rates for the service you receive from them. Some of these providers work in private clinics or treatment centres, while others may work as independent contractors in office settings or from home. Additionally, some providers might even work in another province or country and provide services virtually.

There are many private addictions treatment centres operating across Canada, and generally you will not be eligible to be reimbursed by the Government of Saskatchewan if you access these private services in Saskatchewan or out-of-province (see out-of-province referrals below for more information). The primary benefits of receiving services from private providers are that you can choose the person or treatment centre to work with and that often there are minimal wait times to access the provider.

Although many of these providers may be regulated professionals such as psychologists, social workers or occupational therapists, there are providers of varying backgrounds who offer mental health and addictions treatment in Saskatchewan, including addictions counsellors. The Government of Saskatchewan does not regulate addictions therapists/counsellors and does not endorse specific private service providers. If you wish to enlist the services of a private mental health and addictions provider, it is advisable to do a thorough review of the available options and to ensure that you are getting services that are considered best-practice, safe and reliable.

You should ask any private addictions provider you are considering, to explain the evidence behind their assessment and treatment of your condition, including what other treatment options exist. When you begin this process, you and the provider should agree to an assessment and/or treatment plan that includes assessment/treatment goals, costs and a general timeline.

If you are considering a private addictions treatment facility, you should ensure the provider:

• has accreditation and/or is appropriately licensed in their jurisdiction;
• is able to demonstrate the use of evidence-based treatment practices;
• is able to provide an individual treatment plan, length of treatment and the cost of treatment prior to admission;
• provides 24/7 supervision; and
• employs professional staff with relevant training to help treat your condition.

The Mental Health Commission of Canada has created an online resource that provides more information about navigating between public and private mental health services in Canada.

Within the publicly funded health care system, The Saskatchewan Medical Care Insurance Act outlines insured services as being those medically required and provided by physicians, optometrists and dentists. The Ministry of Health has the authority to make payment for insured services according to regulated payment schedules of physicians, optometrists and dentists. Services provided by other health care professionals – including psychologists and social workers – are uninsured, and therefore the ministry has no authority to make payment.

In Saskatchewan, the Saskatchewan Health Authority provides many free publicly funded insured health services and extended health care services, which may include certain services offered by psychologists, addictions counsellors and social workers. The providers of these publicly funded extended health care services are typically employed or contracted by the Saskatchewan Health Authority or community partners. Information on the different types of services offered through the Saskatchewan Health Authority and other community partners is available.

Health care professionals working in private practice outside the publicly funded system can set their own individual fees and the ministry has no authority to make payment for these uninsured services. Many private practitioners can be paid by individuals in part or entirely through private insurance or employer benefit plans. Additionally, individuals can pay for these services out-of-pocket or, in some instances, from other private funding arrangements such as Victims Services or Workers' Compensation.

It is important to reach out to your private insurance or employer benefit provider to understand what coverage for private mental health and addictions services might be available to you. Many workplaces and universities/colleges also offer Employee (and Family) Assistance Programs (commonly called EAP/EFAP) – you may wish to speak to your employer about what options are available to you.

The Government of Saskatchewan does not endorse specific private mental health and addictions service providers. If you wish to work with a private service provider, the following information can be helpful to assist you in making an informed decision:

• Training: Generally, the more training a service provider has, the better. A provider with a master’s degree or higher from an accredited university is a good starting point. The provider should identify their education/professional designations clearly and honestly. The provider should also indicate any specialized training and their competency to work in the area of addictions (such as training/certification in addictions therapy for youth or treating alcohol dependency).

• Licensing: Service providers can be members of a college or an association in Saskatchewan. Generally, it is always advisable to select a provider who is a member of their respective college or professional body, as it gives you more protection. The Government of Saskatchewan has designated colleges/regulated professional bodies under legislation that describes the professional code of each profession. Colleges or regulated professional bodies:
  • regulate the competence and ethics of their members;
  • watch and regulate the practice of the profession;
  • manage the disciplinary process and provide the public an avenue to make formal complaints against members;
  • setting continuing education standards;
  • advance the profession;
  • prevent illegal practice; and
  • control the use of titles such as social worker or psychologist.

• It is important to note that there is no regulatory body for the field of addictions counselling in the province of Saskatchewan.

• Type of Service: Different providers are regulated to do different things. If you believe you require assessment and diagnosis of mental health and addictions conditions, this is typically done by registered psychologists or physicians (psychiatry). You do not need a diagnosis to receive treatment for an alcohol or substance use condition. If you believe you may need medication, you should seek treatment from a physician (or psychiatrist) within the public health system. If you are looking for treatment/therapy of a substance or alcohol use condition, typically this can be provided by a range of professionals (psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists, addictions counsellors, therapists/counsellors, etc.) or in an inpatient treatment setting. Typically, it is advisable to first begin recovery with withdrawal management (detoxification) for a substance or alcohol use condition, and you should start this process within the free public health system. Information on withdrawal management services in Saskatchewan.
  
  It is important to understand what service you may require and to ask questions about what providers are able and competent to provide. Remember that there is no harm in asking the provider directly about their experience, training, and education – a professional provider will readily provide this information to you. As there are many options available in Saskatchewan, do not be afraid to shop around before making a decision that is best for your needs.

• Cost: As private providers can set their own fees, there is no guideline as to what you should pay for private treatment services. As there are many options available in Saskatchewan, do not be afraid to shop around for prices before making a decision that is best for you. It may also be possible to ask the private provider for an adjusted fee if you are on a fixed income – this is a private service relationship, and you have freedom to seek the services that fit your budget and needs.

More information on Alcohol, Drug and Addictions is available.

In some instances, when existing mental health, alcohol and drug, problem gambling, acquired brain injury and rehabilitation therapies treatment options have been exhausted within the province, individuals from Saskatchewan can access out-of-province treatment services, including private treatment programs/services, if they are not available in Saskatchewan.

Only approved costs will be covered. Travel, accommodation and/or meals are not eligible for coverage.

Requests for out-of-province assessment/treatment can only be accepted from the Saskatchewan Health Authority or the Physician Support Program of the Saskatchewan Medical Association. Approval must be obtained from the Ministry of Health prior to the individual receiving services and/or support outside the province. Any healthcare provider who operates within the public system may refer individuals with valid healthcare coverage for coverage for services outside of the province.

More information on out-of-province requests for mental health and addictions treatment.

• Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation - Public Registry
• Saskatchewan College of Psychologists - Find a Psychologist
• Saskatchewan Association of Social Workers - Find a Private Social Work Practitioner
• Saskatchewan College of Occupational Therapists - Find an Occupational Therapist
• List of All Saskatchewan Regulatory Bodies
• Canadian Certified Counsellor Association -Find the Right Counsellor for You
• Out of province request information
• Choose the Right Therapist Infographic from Lumino Health