Urgent Changes to BC Telehealth Could Impact Long-COVID Care

UPDATE: Upcoming changes to British Columbia’s Medical Services Plan (MSP) could drastically limit access to care for thousands of long-COVID patients. Starting September 1, 2023, MSP will cap online group medical visits at just 20 patients, a move that has raised urgent concerns among healthcare providers and patients alike.

The BC Centre for Long COVID, ME/CFS, and Fibromyalgia (BC-CLMF) currently serves over 5,200 patients, with 25 new referrals arriving daily, according to Dr. Ric Arseneau, a leading specialist at the clinic. The new restriction threatens to disrupt vital telehealth services that have been a lifeline for many, particularly those who are housebound or live in remote areas.

Dr. Arseneau explained that the clinic’s group sessions have been instrumental in delivering effective care. “Our clinic shows we can help long-COVID patients feel better, cope better, return to work, and get into remission,” he stated. Currently, these sessions can accommodate up to 50 patients, allowing for broader discussions on treatment options and shared experiences.

Patients at the clinic often suffer from debilitating conditions linked to long COVID, which may affect 10% of those infected with the virus. Symptoms can range from chronic fatigue to neurological issues, and many patients have faced skepticism from other healthcare providers. “You’re left with all of these debilitating conditions and no one believes you except [Dr. Arseneau],” said Alannah Berson, a long-COVID patient.

The MSP’s decision could also lead to increased pressure on family doctors, already stretched thin. Dr. Arseneau warned, “A 20-person cap will shift the burden of care onto already overworked family doctors, further complicating the healthcare landscape for long-COVID patients.”

In response to the impending changes, patients have formed a group called LifeLineBC to advocate against the new caps. They argue that limiting group sizes undermines the effective care model that has emerged during the pandemic. “For most of our patients, it’s not a question of virtual care versus another form of care that is better; it’s virtual care versus no care at all,” Dr. Arseneau emphasized.

The clinic provides not only medical consultations but also educational resources from allied health professionals, helping patients navigate their conditions. Patients like Riel Hahn, a standup comic, have shared their struggles with long COVID, describing the isolation and fear of not receiving adequate care. “It’s really scary,” Hahn said.

The urgency of this issue is compounded by the reality that long COVID disproportionately affects marginalized communities, including women, people of color, and those in low-income brackets. “To create change, we need to stop blaming people for disabilities and instead support those who are being disproportionately affected,” Berson asserted.

As the September 1 deadline approaches, the BC-CLMF clinic is calling for a meeting with the Ministry of Health to discuss the ramifications of the new policy. Dr. Arseneau hopes to advocate for a higher cap on group visits, ideally at 50 patients, to ensure continuity of care.

With patients already facing significant hurdles in accessing care, the pressure is on officials to reconsider these changes. The stakes are high, and the community is mobilizing to ensure that long-COVID patients receive the support they desperately need.

As this situation develops, advocates urge the public to pay attention and voice their concerns to ensure that long-COVID patients are not left in the lurch.