About 1.8 million, or four to six percent, of all Canadian adults are affected by ADHD according to the Centre for ADHD Awareness Canada. ADHD is a neuro-developmental disorder and it’s there throughout a person’s lifespan in one way or another.
Having ADHD can be a struggle and it’s important to develop coping skills and strategies to overcome symptoms – and many of these require a focus on healthcare, with some costs not covered by the government. That’s where health insurance can help.
Why are more adults being diagnosed with ADHD?
The increased rate of diagnosis of ADHD in adults in recent years can likely be attributed to several underlying trends
- First, there’s been an increased awareness within the medical community of ADHD not just being a diagnosis of childhood, and an increased understanding of the range of symptoms that can be part of an ADHD diagnosis for adults. This has helped healthcare providers better recognize different presentations of ADHD in adulthood, confirm the diagnosis, and support individuals in finding the most appropriate treatment
- Second, social media has also helped many people become more aware of the condition and has encouraged them to talk to healthcare professionals about symptoms that they are concerned about
- Lastly, more recent changes around working from home and daily routines have, in some cases, brought to the surface symptoms of ADHD that were otherwise masked by more structured work environments.
Women are typically underdiagnosed for ADHD
There are different types of ADHD symptoms, including “hyperactive-impulsive” symptoms and “inattentive” symptoms. There may be differences across genders as to which type of these symptoms is recognized.
Often, men are thought to show hyperactive-impulsive symptoms more often. Because these symptoms have sometimes been viewed as a more “typical” presentation of ADHD, boys and men have historically been more commonly diagnosed with ADHD.
However, we know that women – may present with the less overt set of symptoms related to inattention, rather than being hyperactive or impulsive. And because these symptoms related to inattention may be more subtle, this seems to have led to the underdiagnosis of ADHD in girls and women, with many women not getting a diagnosis or starting appropriate treatment until well into adulthood.
The problem with having ADHD
Research shows that as many as 86-98% of adults with ADHD have difficulty with
- staying focused
- meeting deadlines
- staying organized
- planning
- initiating and completing a task
- processing and recalling information
- navigating interpersonal relationships
These difficulties can have serious implications in school, the workplace, home, and community.
How does health insurance help with ADHD?
While ADHD is a serious mental health disorder it is highly treatable. Treatment for ADHD is generally quite effective in addressing the core symptoms of this condition and can help people get back to their usual functioning and feel more in control of their day-to-day symptoms.
There are a number of different approaches to therapy for adults with ADHD and a number of ways health insurance is a vital support
Psychologists
In most cases testing for ADHD to determine if it is the correct diagnosis is covered by provincial health plans but wait times for assessments are long and when testing involves a psychologist people must pay out of pocket, unless they have health insurance which will cover in part session(s) with a psychologist.
For ongoing treatment, costs can range from $200 to $400 per session, making it challenging to access ongoing care unless health insurance is in place to help.
Prescription drug coverage
Once diagnosed, medications are usually a mainstay of treatment for ADHD and are often the same ones prescribed to children with ADHD, though dosages differ. These medications are not covered in most situations under provincial health plans, so health insurance helps cover the costs.
ADHD medications can reduce symptoms such as inattention and emotional instability and help people focus, reduce impulses and hyperactivity.
Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT)
Therapy approaches can be helpful to help with developing self-management skills and habits to improve emotional self-regulation; many health insurance plans include access to both eCBT tools and coverage for CBT therapy sessions.
Research shows adults with ADHD who received CBT also had significantly reduced anxiety and depression, helping with problems in work/education, family, and social skills.
Your next steps for health insurance ADHD support
Having a health insurance policy means you can have the necessary coverage and resources to help you manage ADHD or other medical conditions, including unexpected accidents and illness. It’s important to understand the specifics of your plan. Review your policy to know what treatments, medications, and services are covered. This will give you a clear picture of the financial support available to you.
At SBIS we are here to assist you and ensure you fully understand your coverage and benefits. We offer a wide variety of plans, regardless of any prior health condition you have. Feel free to reach out if you need any guidance or support at 1-800-667-0429 or 416-601-0429. Our business hours are Monday to Friday 8:45 a.m. – 4:45 p.m. eastern time.
