Currently, the state of Oregon is the only state that does not have a Medicaid program that covers the fibromyalgia disorder and the treatment of its symptoms.
In recent weeks, many people in the state of Oregon have been trying to change this policy of Oregon state Medicaid.
On October 10th, doctors, physicians, and other advocates of the cause will attempt to convince the state’s health policymakers to add the fibromyalgia disorder to the Prioritized List. The list currently stands at 498 conditions and disorders, each of which is currently covered by Oregon’s Medicaid program.
One of the reasons that fibromyalgia has not already been included on the Prioritized List in Oregon is that the disorder has a long history of misdiagnosis and misunderstanding. For a long time, fibromyalgia was mistaken for severe cases of depression.
The disorder was confused as a psychological problem of sorts. However, this thinking has changed over the past decade. The World Health Organization has now recognized the disorder. The disorder has reached such prominence in recent years that next year it will soon see inclusion on the International Classification of Diseases list.
Private insurance companies for the most part cover treatment of fibromyalgia. It has become so prevalent that the Social Security Administration has declared that the fibromyalgia disorder can stand as grounds for disability assistance.
The disorder now stands as the third most common pain oriented condition. Fibromyalgia affects nearly five percent of women and about one percent of men. This disproportionate skew has not been explained.
As of today, nearly 117,000 citizens of Oregon are suffering from the disorder. It is not known what the exact cause of the disorder is, but it is known that the central nervous system plays at least a minor role in its development.
The symptoms include extreme fatigue, sleep disorders, severe depression, anxiety, severe headaches and migraines, and the most common, widespread chronic pain.
Currently, there are three medications that are administered to fibromyalgia patients. These treatments work on specific areas located in the central nervous system. Other less invasive treatments are recommended to patients including exercising and various forms of physical therapy.
The severity of symptoms may worsen if they are not treated properly. Advocates believe that it is important to provide coverage on treatments of fibromyalgia because proper diagnoses is a necessity and management of the symptoms is vital to a person with the disorder’s health.
Patients that rely on Medicaid to help them with medical care costs are limited in their options for what treatments they can receive for their symptoms.
These patients usually receive opiates as treatment, a treatment is very ineffective and can be dangerous for some patients.
Physical therapy is sometimes recommended, but patients deny reporting to therapy sessions because the costs of the treatments are too high for their budgets. Medicaid does not cover physical therapy if the reason that a patient is receiving the therapy for fibromyalgia treatment.
This has become very frustrating for many people living in Oregon and makes them feel that the state is living in the past.
Comments