Military won't pay to replace my hearing aids?

[farrell486]

Wondering if anyone has had issues with getting medical benefits paid for in the CF.

Currently I'm trying to get new hearing aids to replace my old ones that are held together with scotch tape.  According to what I've been told I'm entitled to a replacement pair ever 4 years. Currently I'm on my 5Th year with this set and due to the fact that i have 70 db loss in both ears I'm unable to function without then.  So now i set at home on sick leave for 2 weeks due to being unable to get a replacement pair.  22 years in the military I'm glad the miltray stills takes good care of our troops.

 

[Cansky]

So I am going to assume you are regular force.  According to the Health Services website at the link provide you should be entitled as provided below. 

http://www.forces.gc.ca/health-sante/pub/soc-gds/supp-comp-eng.asp#c1.  Hearing aids and repairs to them, limited to $2,000 every 48-month period for each ear,

I would like to know what base you are posted and have you a reference provide from the clinic stating every 4 years.  feel free to PM if you have any questions.

 

[farrell486]

The MIR staff in Trenton is aware of my entitlements and have been very helpfull, the problem is Ottawa who as the purse strings.

Guess everyone is trying to get money back to pay Treasury board.  A very stressful time as i am unable to have a conversation even with my family at home

 

[rnkelly]

It's pretty pathetic if you're a CF member and can't get your unserviceable hearing aid replaced.  I'm surprised that those who work/run the MIR in Trenton are letting this go, I thought it was health proffessionals' job to fix you up then get the costs covered not make sure the costs get covered then fix you.  Side-question:  Does the treasury board pay for things like hearing aids, prescriptions etc. I thought it would be a health insurance provider? 

Unacceptable to be deaf for two weeks when it's fixable by a replacement of a hearing aid, cbc or ctv might do a story on something like this?  I bet you would get your hearing aid then!

 

[krustyrl]

It seems to be a territorial budget thing (VA and DND) WRT hearing aids for a serving member.  I had my hearing aids replaced while serving in Trenton and the new ones came in from an Audiologist in Belleville however they had different batteries. The Audiologist office gave me a hockey sock of batteries for the new devices and I left there but when the MIR recieved the follow-up paperwork it then became a National Emergency for me to return the new batteries back to the Audiologist ASAP and obtain the "Same" batteries from the Wing Pharmacy.
Safe to say in my case, VA paid for the devices but DND had to buy the batteries.?
This was a big issue and they literally wanted me to drive right away back to the Aud and return those batteries. 

I just kinda looked left then right then scratched my head and mailed them back to the Aud in Belleville and everyone was happy .....but still..??

Sort of made me say  "huh".???    ???

 

[Occam]

There shouldn't be any controversy about whether VAC or DND pays for the HAs.  When I got my HA two years ago, it was clear that DND was paying for it as I was (am) still serving.  VAC only starts picking up the tab once you release, and only if it's a pensioned condition.

 

[Fishbone Jones]

I'm still serving, collect a VA pension for my hearing and have my HA replacement and maint paid for by VA.

 

[krustyrl]

Thanks Occam, This is what I thought as well, I just assumed the WPharm had a "standing contract" for the batteries and picked them up from there and carried on my way.
End result, I got what was required and have batteries, and carried on as if normal.

 

[Occam]

I'm still serving, collect a VA pension for my hearing and have my HA replacement and maint paid for by VA.

Are you a class A reservist?  I know that may play a factor in it.

I know that there was no ambiguity when I got mine; I told them I had a pensioned condition, and CFHS told me in no uncertain terms not to seek the HA through VAC.  I got the HA in a couple of weeks through the CF medical system.

 

[farrell486]

I'm reg force and have been for 22 years.

Back to work after 2 weeks on medical leave.  After 2 weeks still no farther ahead,  one hearing aid works so so and the other is broken.  To top it off its been almost 2 weeks and the MIR still don't have an appointment for me to see and ENT specialist.  According to Ottawa they'll pay for my replacement hearing aids after i see and ENT specialist.  Not sure about anyone else but am i being discriminated against?

I guess my next approach is to call CBC.

 

[Cansky]

I don't think there is any discrimination at work here.  Its common to refer someone back to the specialist after a period of time has elasped.  This is to ensure that the devices (regardless of what they are for. ie:braces for legs, glasses and hearing aids) are the best for your needs.  As for waiting for the consult, your clinic will fax the referal to the ENT specialist, from the info provided on the consult the specialist will prioritize and then give an appoint for you.  It can take up to a month to get a response back from the specialist.  I have patients here who have waited months to get the ENT appointment but once that was done the hearing aids were done in a week. 

If by your posts the timeline is only a few weeks, going to the press is the wrong approach.  Try contacting you CDU clerk to see if they have a response or email your clinician for info about the specialist appointment.  If you truly feel you are wronged then try the Base surg before going to the reporters.

 

[farrell486]

I agree it's been only a few weeks, but would someone be expected to wait 2 to 3 months to get glasses if theres were broken.  My point is should I have to wait to see an ENT specialist after I've seen numerous and surgery will not fix my problem.  Even if surgery could, should someone be forced to do without the necessities while waiting.  I'm sure most people wouldn't wanna walk around with one lense in their glasses.

 

[OldSolduer]

I agree it's been only a few weeks, but would someone be expected to wait 2 to 3 months to get glasses if theres were broken.  My point is should I have to wait to see an ENT specialist after I've seen numerous and surgery will not fix my problem.  Even if surgery could, should someone be forced to do without the necessities while waiting.  I'm sure most people wouldn't wanna walk around with one lense in their glasses.

I agree. The problem is there, it has been for a number of years. It should be an easy fix.

 

[Cansky]

I agree it's been only a few weeks, but would someone be expected to wait 2 to 3 months to get glasses if theres were broken.  My point is should I have to wait to see an ENT specialist after I've seen numerous and surgery will not fix my problem.  Even if surgery could, should someone be forced to do without the necessities while waiting.  I'm sure most people wouldn't wanna walk around with one lense in their glasses.

I hear your point and although I total agree that you should have your hearing aids just as fast as someone with glasses. There is a huge difference in the fact you have many more opthomologist and optometrist to choose from than ENT specialists.  The military won't give you the hearing aids until you have seen the ENT and with limited resources that equals a longer wait time. This is true for the military and civilians alike.  My mother waited 6 months for an ENT referral and that was in Vancouver. 

Its not just surgery, if your hearing has degraded then we need to know that we are giving you the best equipment for your needs.  If the equipment would actually benefit you.  Without spending thousands of dollars to find out its the wrong ones.

Its not an easy fix as the real problem lies with the resources available .  Not every medical student wants to be an ENT specialist as this adds years to their training.  We see shortages in many of the specialties like gyne, obstetrics cardiology.  That is why the specialists see the consults and see the urgent case in a speedy time frame.  The health care system is not perfect there are many items with long wait list that unfortunately is a fact of life. 

 

[Fishbone Jones]

Go into work and talk real loud and anytime you see someone's lips move yell 'WHAT!!' Or just ignore the boss because you can't hear him. Have them write everything out to you.

Kidding aside.

It's inexcusable. I can call an audiologist in my little city (there are many) and get in, tested for tinnitus and audiogram and have my hearing aids fixed or replaced in a day.

However, VAC pays for mine, that might be making the difference. I don't know what you do but if you told them you can't safely do your job without them or you might be a hazard to others and need reassignment until they're fixed, I bet they get on it.

 

[Cansky]

He stated that he is referred to ENT (Ears, Nose, Throat) specialist not an audiologist.  Totally different.  I'm sure if it was just to an audiologist he would have been in by now.   

 

[CombatDoc]

I'm reg force and have been for 22 years.

Back to work after 2 weeks on medical leave.  After 2 weeks still no farther ahead,  one hearing aid works so so and the other is broken.  To top it off its been almost 2 weeks and the MIR still don't have an appointment for me to see and ENT specialist.  According to Ottawa they'll pay for my replacement hearing aids after i see and ENT specialist.  Not sure about anyone else but am i being discriminated against?

I guess my next approach is to call CBC.

You've been told that you have to see an ENT specialist, and you're angry that you don't have an appointment yet after 2 weeks?  And, you think that you're being discriminated against and your next approach is to call CBC?

I suggest that you put your sense of entitlement on hold.  Wait times for many specialists, ENT included, are routinely 6-12 months in the civilian sector.  The CF uses the same system, but we are often able to shorten the wait time significantly.  Depending on where you are located in Canada, there might only be one ENT available for consultations and s/he is probably already booked up for months ahead of time.  The booking staff at your clinic will probably try to get your appt squeezed in, earlier rather than later.  Regardless of the wait, it is likely that you are going to be seen faster than Joe Civilian who also needs his hearing reviewed.  There are not always quick fixes available for everything that ails us.

 

[Tech]

Wondering if anyone has had issues with getting medical benefits paid for in the CF.

Currently I'm trying to get new hearing aids to replace my old ones that are held together with scotch tape.  According to what I've been told I'm entitled to a replacement pair ever 4 years. Currently I'm on my 5Th year with this set and due to the fact that i have 70 db loss in both ears I'm unable to function without then.  So now i set at home on sick leave for 2 weeks due to being unable to get a replacement pair.  22 years in the military I'm glad the miltray stills takes good care of our troops.

Yes, they should be replaced. If I was in your shoes, I would find an Audiologist who deals directly with veteran affairs. Tell them your story and they will take it from there. I personally do not deal with VAC myself. My audiologist set me up with a new pair last year after having my old pair for 4.