full adult ADD assessment covered by OHIP?

[Anonymous]

is there such a thing as a full assessment that’s covered by OHIP? My GP sent me to a psychiatrist who talked to me for an hour and a half and said I might have adult ADHD, that in some people it’s obvious and in others not so much (I fell in the not so much category I guess). He did say to call him if I was interested in medication, though I wonder how he’d prescribe for me when he aparently doesn’t know what’s wrong with me.

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[Anonymous]

BTW, OHIP is Ontario’s (Canada) public health care system. Though I guess anyone with an answer would probably know that, lol.

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[Patte Rosebank]

Unfortunately, ADHD testing falls into the realm of psychology, which is NOT covered by OHIP.

It’s very perverse that the best treatment for mental health issues is a combination of medication and counselling/coaching. However, OHIP only covers psychiatrists (who can only prescribe meds), not psychologists (who can only give counselling/coaching).

Initial assessments are very expensive, because they involve several hours of intensive testing. However, if you previously received a detailed psychological assessment, and have enough supporting documentation to support the diagnosis of ADHD, the clinic might waive the initial intensive assessment, and do a less intensive one.

I don’t think that an hour and a half talking to a psychiatrist who then says, “You might have it. Let me know if you want me to prescribe meds for you,” would be sufficient to confirm a diagnosis. You’re quite right to question his conclusion.

A full diagnosis at an ADHD specialist is well worth the cost, because it will determine whether you have ADHD and/or something else. After all, it’s no sense treating ADHD if you don’t have it. And if you have something else, you’ll know that you need to get that “something else” treated.

If you have private health insurance, read your policy carefully. It might cover psychological testing & treatment.

In the meantime, go to the “Tools” section here. In it, are some tests which can give you a better idea of whether or not you may have ADHD. These tests are good first steps, and you can print them out and take them to a specialist, for further investigation.

Good luck!

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[BuxomDiva]

Larynxa that is not entirely true. I was diagnosed at CAMH and it was fully covered by OHIP. Elsewhere in these forums I know Dr. J. has posted about the crazy amounts some doctors charge because they can get away with it since there simply are not enough doctors with expertise in adult ADHD.

It may take some time to get in to see somebody covered by OHIP though. One of my Facebook friends decided she couldn’t wait and shelled out over $2K to get her kids diagnosed, something that should have been much easier to do and absolutely should have been covered!

Of course the first “expert” I took my son too informed me there was nothing wrong with him that better parenting wouldn’t fix! Thank heavens for Dr. J. who did a complete assessment on both of us, including talking to my mother who had to travel to Toronto from Kingston Ontario for the appointment!

As far as prescribing goes, over the years I’ve heard Dr. J. say a number of times that you should decide what symptom you want to manage. Many of us have a lot going on; I have type 2 bipolar as well as ADHD. When I hit perimenopause my mood swings made PMS a fond memory!

There is no such thing as a “one pill fits all” medication for ADHD but on this site and I think the CADDAC site there is a lot of good information about the meds for particular symptoms. I do better with dexedrine than ritalin for example, while my son is the exact opposite.

Best of luck!

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[Anonymous]

Larynxa, I do have private insurance. I just don’t think it’s enough to cover an aassessment and treatment (especially as I’m more interested in CBT than just medication). Though I guesss if I can time it properly, I can have the assessment at the end of the year and the therapy would fall under next years therapy. Though I guess I’d best get-on-it, then.

BuxomDiva- $2000 was that each?yeouch!!! Even for both that’s a lot.

Were you referred to CAMH by your GP? And was the referral for ADHD symptoms specifically?

I’m currently going through the process of having my 6 year old assessed. We are awaiting a referral to a developmental pediatrician (as there are a few symptoms that could go either way), though I’ve also been made aware of Nexus Youth Services, and they have great supports including the challenges program (in home counselling and support) which we’re currently on a waiting list for. If needed they have psychological assessment available as well.

Thanks for your great suggesstions I’ll look into both.

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