ME/CFS Given Official Recognition by Ontario Government!

[creekfeet]

O, Canada. Let's sing it again!

My dad was born in Nova Scotia. Can I come home, now?


...or, is it the job of the rest of us to use the Canadian precedent to make our own parts of the world just as cool. A whole world that believes us. Imagine.

 

[usedtobeperkytina]

Koan, why does your video make me want to stand up and salute?

Ontariario

We have CFs diagnostic code in US. Don't know what good it has done for us. Or at least, I think we do.

Neurological is good classification. But I think immunological is best. FM is more neurological.

I guess for CFS it is hard to put into one of the holes since it is all of the above and more.

Oh, and glad for you guys up there. But I am going to stay in the warm weather here in Clay, Alabama. In fact, if I could, I would move further south. Can't take the cold.

Tina

 

[kerrilyn]

i don't really understand the this part;

" The CFS Diagnostic Code is given to someone who is being diagnosed with CFS for the first time. The code is not a time-based fee code. Follow up appointments for any illness (heart disease, MS, CFS, etc. at the present time is usually billed as Supportive Therapy if you take more time than a normal appointment."

Can someone explain?

I could be wrong but I remember a doctor telling me a few years ago that new time codes had come down for specifically for FM and I believe CFS too, which meant that a doctor could bill for extended time for the two conditions because longer time is needed in an app't. 10 mins as opposed to 5 mins (something like that) - I know it was double the regular time, but still very short.

I think the above is saying this is a Diagnostic Code specifically and subsequent app'ts would have a different code. ....but don't quote me on that.

And what are the actual implications for us.

Not to be a wet blanket, but I don't think it means a whole lot just yet. As Kati mentioned we would still need specialists and they are few and far between.

I hope it does help with CPP claims, but you still need docs to support your claim and you to prove that you are permanently disabled. I had a disability advocate to help me get my claim approved through the tribunal stage. She fights for FM patients regularly and said if I had tried to get CPP with a CFS diagnosis she wouldn't have even taken my case because it's almost impossible to win with that diagnosis. These kinds of thoughts/ideas are not going to change overnight.

I love the fact that the Canadian Criteria for CFS is the best, but we are not at the top of the mountain just yet.

 

[julius]

Thanks kerrilyn,

That's more or less what I was thinking. I think I will wait for a while before I decide to head back.

 

[Kati]

I hope it does help with CPP claims, but you still need docs to support your claim and you to prove that you are permanently disabled. I had a disability advocate to help me get my claim approved through the tribunal stage. She fights for FM patients regularly and said if I had tried to get CPP with a CFS diagnosis she wouldn't have even taken my case because it's almost impossible to win with that diagnosis. These kinds of thoughts/ideas are not going to change overnight.

I love the fact that the Canadian Criteria for CFS is the best, but we are not at the top of the mountain just yet.

Kerrilyn, my cpp has be approved at the first try. Not sure what made them, was it the IgM+ EBV (proven active infection)? Was it the functional assessment report? Was it the rheumy's consult? Will likely never know. This is not a permanent disability claim at the moment. I guess I will have to prove I am unable to do any work down the road. But I am planning to get better in the meantime.

 

[kerrilyn]

Kerrilyn, my cpp has be approved at the first try. Not sure what made them, was it the IgM+ EBV (proven active infection)? Was it the functional assessment report? Was it the rheumy's consult? Will likely never know. This is not a permanent disability claim at the moment. I guess I will have to prove I am unable to do any work down the road. But I am planning to get better in the meantime.

How is it a CPP claim if it's not a permanent claim? Not sure I understand that. Glad you did though.

Most people are denied the first time, that's not unusual. Also, age is not suppose to be a factor but I was young and I suspect the gov't doesn't really want to pay someone for 30 years if they can avoid it. I had a friend with the same diagnosis as me (very similar symptoms etc) and she got her claim 1st try. The main difference was that she was seeing a psychiatrist and taking anti-depressants and I was not. My Dis Advocate said if I would do the same it would be much easier for me to be approved because claims of depression go through easier than FM - but I wouldn't do it. I don't have depression! I won't lie, I'm stubborn and I really loathe doctors so I don't often go to one. Again, how can you be truly ill and not go to a doctor? I refused to play ball so to speak, so I didn't make it as easy on myself as I possibly could have.

 

[JillBohr]

Reminds me of a funny moment in my Rheum office. I arrived with a stack of info. He said he has never heard of XMRV (No mention at any of his conferences - Really?) and I handed him the smallest most succinct pages I could find - to make it easy for him - he glanced quickly and handed them back.
a funny little tug of war ensued - but in reverse, and I won, he gracefully accepted them. Wonder if he has a shredder?

Hey Paddygirl, my son's neurologist had not heard of XMRV either when I visited her last December. She asked me where I had read about it and I said Science. You should have seen her eyes pop out of her head. Heee Heee. My ex-husband is an astronomer and he confirmed that Science is the gold standard when it comes to publications. I have not handed out any information to any of my kiddos doctors for that "shredder" reason. I do not want to ruin the environment.

 

[serenity]

tug of war

Quote Originally Posted by danib
"i have a great neuro but he wouldn't take the paper out of my hand when i tried to give him a list of my fibro symptoms. he said he was not the guy. i have a 2nd nuero who is good too so i could go to him about it & see...
i can't get a rheumy to touch me, they wont' even take an appt with me"

Paddy said...
"Reminds me of a funny moment in my Rheum office. I arrived with a stack of info. He said he has never heard of XMRV (No mention at any of his conferences - Really?) and I handed him the smallest most succinct pages I could find - to make it easy for him - he glanced quickly and handed them back.
a funny little tug of war ensued - but in reverse, and I won, he gracefully accepted them. Wonder if he has a shredder?"

i'm sure they ended up in "File 13" (the trash). haha!
hey at least your guy took them, you should have seen my neuro literally put his hand back so he could not be made to touch them. now i know why! haaha! at least my GP took them & put them in my file.
that's why i love my GP. when i told him about XMRV & told him to look it up he said "i will!" enthusiastically & believe he will. he isnt' perfect but compared to a lot of them out there he's really good.

 

[leelaplay]

[if:and it makes the prohealth library]

ME/CFS Becomes Officially Recognized Neurological Illness in Canadian Province of Ontario – OHIP Diagnostic Code 795
April 15, 2010

Congratulations are in order!

According to an announcement by Canada’s National ME/FM Action Network (www.mefmaction.net), ME/CFS has been recognized officially by the Ontario government and Ontario Medical Association.

After many years of active lobbying & meetings by the ME/FM Action Network and other patient advocates including Dr. Alison Bested - and thanks to the Canadian Definition of ME/CFS - the Ontario Medical Association has created OHIP Diagnostic Code 795 designating ‘Chronic Fatigue Syndrome’ as a Neurological Illness.

“This means that no one in Ontario who suffers from ME/CFS can ever again be told by a doctor that ME/CFS does not exist,” the announcement explains. “If they do, tell them to look up Diagnostic Code 795.” To review the many practical benefits for patients of this official recognition, and how it will be used, click here.

 

[MEKoan]

I hereby forgive Alison Bested for working in such a way that patients disabled by ME, and on government assistance, can't ever hope to see her in a country with universal health care because this is totally worth it.
:innocent1:

 

[BEG]

Congratulations our Ontario friends. I am so happy for you!! Do any of you reside near Windsor? And does anyone remember the great radio station, CKLW, broacasting to DETROIT/WINDSOR? Would give anything to hear CKLW broadcasting your great news.

 

[Sing]

My intuition has told me for a couple of years that the Ottawa area is the best place to go. That is where Dr. Hyde and Mefmaction is located. I went up there the past two summers to visit. I even have some French. But, the only way someone with ME/CFS like me, without an up to date impressive work history, could get in is VIA marriage.....

Koan, want to set up a dating service from your couch?

Sing

 

[Dr. Yes]

I even have some French.

Really??

Where do you keep them?




Are they expensive?
Do you have to present them at the border or something?
How many? Is one French chamber maid enough?

(Note to self - Seduce French chamber maid)


​

 

[gracenote]

I even have some French.

Sing

Dr. Yes. You are presuming a lot.

How do you know that Sing didn't mean this?

Or this?

Or even this cute french bulldog?

Huh? How do you know?

 

[gracenote]

Koan, want to set up a dating service from your couch?

I need to apologize. And it's all Dr. Yes's fault. What Sing really wants is a dating service. So I want to help us get back on topic (sort of). Here's to Ontario and a dating service because that would be cool, for Sing, I mean.

 

[alice1]

Big News In Canada!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is now official that CFS/ME has been recognised by the Province of Ontario to be an neurological
disorder and no doctor can tell a patient they don't have it .
www.mefmaction.net
This a huge!

 

[fred]

Hi Alice, there's a thread here about it.

http://www.forums.aboutmecfs.org/sh...en-Official-Recognition-by-Ontario-Government!

 

[alice1]

Thanks I got so excited I didn't write that down.

 

[helsbells]

It is now official that CFS/ME has been recognised by the Province of Ontario to be an neurological
disorder and no doctor can tell a patient they don't have it .
www.mefmaction.net
This a huge!

This is so fantastic - after the travesty going on this side of the pond re DR Myhill, it has managed to break through my anger and frustration and make me smile - Good on you! Go canada and Go alice1

 

[alice1]

What I find remarkable is that there are so few docs here that know how to treat properly.My own oncologist told me he didn't believe in it.
I'll now be able to tell them "look it up,code 795"
All the latest treatments I've recieved have been from the info I learned on this board.I hope this
means that more docs will learn and listen to what patients have been saying.I only recently learned about Dr Bested from Dr Klimas so my deepest gratitude to her and all those that made this a reality.I have some emails to send for sure.