This week I want to share my thoughts on the cost of ADHD and it’s impact on families and individuals. Diagnosis is not only a long drawn out process but it is also expensive and completely out of reach for many families.
Whilst some of the cost is covered by Medicare there is still so much that isn’t. The costs involved to seek a diagnosis and then ongoing treatment following can be anywhere in the thousands of dollars and this is regardless of age.
A recent survey about ADHD conducted by a Senator in WA who is a passionate advocate for disability services and the LGBTQ community showed that more than 68% of respondents haven’t been formally diagnosed due to cost involved and that over 82% of respondents were concerned about the ongoing costs after their diagnosis as well as the lack of power imparted on a GP to fully support ADHD.
Our journey started with a psychologist and then a full assessment with a paediatrician, another psychologist, dietitian and occupational therapist. On completion of the initial consult and then assessment and after the Medicare rebate we were still out of pocket by $2000. Since his diagnosis we have had to cover medication monthly and ongoing treatment with therapists which works out to be approximately $150 a month with no private health rebate or Medicare rebate.
Fortunately we can afford to cover these costs but how are families with low incomes expected to? If your child has a Comorbid disorder as well as ADHD they might quailify for support under NDIS, otherwise known as the national disability insurance scheme but this doesn’t apply if ADHD is their only diagnosis.
The financial impact long term on our nation is huge and if we don’t find a way to make diagnosis and treatment more affordable for children and adults alike those costs will continue to rise. Currently the cost of undiagnosed ADHD in Australia is approximately $20 billion dollars a year. This is made up of financial costs and well being costs.
Absenteeism and loss of productivity are two reasons why we need adults to be given easy access to a professional for a diagnosis and treatment.
The reason many people cease treatment after childhood is simply because the health system has made it difficult to move from paediatric care to someone else as an adolescent and then adult. Currently only paediatricians can care for a child diagnosed with ADHD and teens/adults needs to be seen by a psychiatrist and with limited specialists in some areas the waiting times and cost means many just give up.
Something has to give. Allow GP’s the power to prescribe medication under strict guidelines so we are not chasing specialists to refill scripts when needed and financial support to low income families for the ongoing costs associated with treatment and diagnosis.
The prevalence of ADHD is highest in childhood and decreases with age but this does not account for all those parents who are now seeking a diagnosis because they realise their child’s ADHD reminds them so much of themselves, just like me.
I know it’s not a disability and I can clearly see the difference between a disability and disorder but although treated by medication it is not just about medicating for focus. ADHD is so much more than that.
We just need treatment and diagnosis to be more affordable for everyone and if it can’t sit under the NDIS banner than the government needs to reassess where it does sit and how much of an impact it is having on families and individuals in this country.
We don’t want a hand out, we just want to be heard and adjustments made to make it fair and within reach for everyone.
Staying Focused 
Leave a comment