The BC Centre for Ability offers fee-for-service (FFS) programs in Physiotherapy, Speech/Language Therapy and Social Work services for children with special needs and their families. As this is not a publicly funded program, families need to arrange for payment of services (see “Costs and Funding” below).

 Who Do We Serve?

Physiotherapists and Speech/Language Pathologists primarily serve children with physical disabilities when:

• Children 5 years or older may or may not be eligible for Speech/Language Therapy or Physiotherapy through school programs. 
• Children who are not yet eligible for Kindergarten entry, and who live outside our Early Intervention Therapy Program catchment area of Burnaby, North Shore, Richmond and Vancouver.
• Children are visiting the province and are not eligible for a personal health number from the Medical Services Plan.
• Children may be short-term residents of the Greater Vancouver area.

Social Work primarily serves families and children with complex physical and emotional needs including:

• Families in need of counseling services.
• Families needing case/service coordination.
• Groups and educational sessions

Service Area

We provide community and/or centre based services in the Greater Vancouver area. If you live outside the regions of Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond and the North Shore, centre-based services may be possible.

Beginning April 1, 2012, the following fee schedule will apply for Speech/Language Therapy, Physiotherapy, and Social Work FFS services:

• $90 per hour for professional services including documentation; communication; and visits in home, community, or Centre.
• $75 per hour for travel

Please note the FFS Program bills families for no shows and cancellations of less than 24 hours.

 A fee schedule will be discussed with you prior to services commencing.

There are a number of funding sources that may be available to assist you with payment for these services:

For Speech/Language Therapy and Physiotherapy services:

• The At Home Program http://www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/at_home/pdf/ahp_guide.pdf may provide funding for school-aged children approved for medical benefits through the program. The therapist will apply for funding after your request for therapy has been received. It can take about two to four weeks to receive approval from the At Home Program. Services cannot start until the approval is received.
• Extended medical/health benefits may be available through your employer. The family must confirm that this coverage is available and provide this information to the Centre. Families will pay for therapy first, and then receive reimbursement from their plan.
• Local service clubs or children’s charities may be willing to fund some or all of your child’s therapy. This will depend on whether you meet their eligibility criteria, and on whether they have funds currently available.

Ø  UPS Stores – Tuppy’s Foundation - http://theupsstore.ca/article.aspx?aid=355

Ø  Variety, the Children’s Charity - http://www.variety.bc.ca/

Ø  President’s Choice -http://www.presidentschoice.ca/ChildrensCharity/DefaultCharity.aspx

• Families have the option of paying for services directly.

• Extended medical/health benefits may be offered through your employer. The family must confirm that this coverage is available and provide this information to the Centre. Families will pay for the service first, and then receive reimbursement from their plan
• ICBC
• Families have the option of paying for the services directly

The Centre for Ability is only one of your Fee-for-Service options.  For a full list of private practitioners use the links below.

• Speech-Language Pathologists http://www.bcaslpa.ca  
• Physiotherapists http://www.bcphysio.org
• Social Workers   http://www.brsw.bc.ca/