Dealing with and Affording a Mental Illness Diagnosis

My son is twenty years old and suffers from depression. For the longest time he has been in a very dark place, not willing to accept that he could possibly be suffering from a mental illness. What are his options for treatment? Well for starters, he works in a local fast food chain, earning minimum wages, and doesn’t have health insurance coverage to be able to seek the services of a psychiatrist of his choosing. He doesn’t have a family doctor so he either has to go a hospital emergency room or visit the local walk-in clinic in order to get a referral slip to see a psychiatrist, which could take months due to the long wait lists. No matter what, it will be a long time before he sees a doctor and receives treatment.

Statistics Canada released a study in September, 2014 that revealed the following data with regard to young people with mental illnesses.

• Since 2002 there has been an increase of about 10% of Canadians aged 15 and older who are experiencing a mental health issue.
• The total number of 12 to 19 year olds in Canada who are at risk for developing depression is a staggering 3.2 million.

The study also revealed how inaccessible it is in Canada to get psychiatric and/or psychological treatment. Only 1 out of 5 children needing mental health services receives them. 

A diagnosis entails both psychiatric and psychological assessments. Psychiatric services are covered under the public health insurance program, but psychological services are not, unless the doctor works from a hospital. That is, services from a psychologist practicing in a private office, outside the hospital, are not covered by the public health insurance program; therefore, patients must pay out-of-pocket.  However; with a private health insurance plan, a patient can afford counselling sessions as well as any prescribed medications.

When I think of the troubling issues my son is facing, I also think about the many others who, like him, will not have easy access to treatment. While Canada’s health care system has many advantages, there are areas where it falls short, and too many young people pay the price. 

A good healthinsurance plan can go a long way in allowing you treatment options and helping with the costs of prescribed medications should you need them.

Aging Canadians and the Impact on Health Care Costs

In 2010, 4.8 million Canadians were seniors. Based on the established growth rate, that number will steadily climb to about 10.4 million in the next 20 years.

By 2031, all members of the baby boom generation will have reached the age of 65. The issue of whether or not Canada’s health care system will be able to meet their medical needs as time goes on is a significant concern. Canada’s health care system may very well have to change and adapt itself to adequately fulfill the needs of seniors.

Even though the elderly make up only 14% of the population, they incur about 45% of provincial and territorial health care expenditures. Today’s seniors are living longer than those of previous generations, a fact that has shifted the Canadian demography to an older population. Aging brings about limitations and chronic conditions that increase health care costs.

We need to think about how well we’ll do in the future under the existing public health care system. More and more seniors are relying on retirement savings and other income sources to help pay for medicines, treatments and/or services not covered by the government program.

Fortunately, there are health insurance plans available that focus on fulfilling the needs of baby boomers and seniors. Such policies include coverage for things like orthotics, home care, medical equipment, hearing aids, and hospital benefits.

Obesity Rising

The 2013 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) has shed light on the growing concern of obesity in young people in this country. One in five youths, aged between 12 and 17, were determined to be overweight or obese. This survey also indicated the following: 

• 55.2% of youths over the age of 12, which would amount to 16.1 million children in Canada, were moderately active during their down-time, which is an important increase from 53.9% in the last year.
• 41.9% of men and 27.7% of women were reported to be overweight or obese, which reflects about the same numbers as the previous year.
• 5.3 million (17.7%) of Canadians over the age of 12 were reported to have high blood pressure, a significant rise in numbers since the rate was 16.9% in 2009.  Those classified as obese were twice as likely to have high blood pressure as those who were not.

Besides your weight, lifestyle choices such as what you eat, whether you are a smoker or non-smoker, the amount of physical activity you practice, and your daily stress levels play a part in the regulation of your blood pressure.

The truth is we don’t know what health issues await us so it’s important to be pro-active by making good choices with regard to lifestyle, and to be prepared by having adequate health insurance coverage.

Rising Cost Concerns for Prescription Drugs

While health care issues such as the rising costs of hospital and physician services are at the forefront, there are other medical expenses that are not getting the attention they should. As it stands, Canadians pay some of the highest prices for prescription drugs in the world. And now there are new high-end drugs entering the market that will make it even more worrisome for those without private health care plans.  The provincial governments absorb most or all drug costs for seniors and those who are on social assistance, but the average household with an income of less than $30,000 will definitely feel the weight of price increases on drugs.

 

Presently, the provinces are working together through the Council of the Federation on brand drug and generic drug price reform. Private Canadian insurers have been involved in creating a national drug pooling agreement that would offer some protection to insured members of their drug plans from the negative impact of recurring high-cost prescription drugs.

Visit the CAA Health & Dental website for information on health insurance that offers prescription drug coverage options.