Supplemental benefits: orthopedic footwear

[Sailing Instructor]

I've flat feet.   Not 'get some Dr Scholls & be gellin' flat feet, but the nasty kind that needs orthopedic footwear/orthotics.   So I went to an MO, who sent me to a podiatrist who said I needed orthotics.   She preferred to have the orthotics separate from the footwear so that they could be transferred between all my shoes/boots.   Mind you, it would be better to simply have all one's footwear made with built-in orthotics (i.e. 'orthopedic footwear') but the CF, thru Blue cross, doesn't cover more than 2 pr boots--certainly not civvy footwear.

Hold on, previous to my appointment, I'd checked the CF Health Svcs info guide & it seemed to say that all my othopedic footwear (military pattern) would be provided for & also some civvy footwear (on a per year basis).   Here's the quote from the info guide at http://www.forces.ca/health/services/hig/engraph/eligible_hs_e.asp?Lev1=1&Lev2=1&Lev3=6#2:

c. Other Supplemental Benefits. The item or service must be medically necessary for the treatment of disease or injury, and must be prescribed by a physician unless otherwise specified. Repair or replacement of medical equipment will not be made at CF expense when it has been determined that the equipment has been misused. Eligible expenses are the reasonable and customary charges for the following items:

ii. orthopedic footwear (military pattern), including modification when authorized by the HCC, once every twelve months:

a. for other than initial entitlement, the member will pay the price of the equivalent military footwear (unless the footwear is normally issued on a no cost replacement basis); and

b. footwear (civilian pattern), including athletic footwear, may be modified at public expense when prescribed and approved in accordance with the regulations for military pattern footwear. Individuals may have a maximum of two pairs of shoes, one pair of athletic shoes and one pair of boots, modified per year. Eligible persons must however, purchase the footwear at their own expense. The CF shall only pay for modifications.

Now, the podiatrist wasn't trying to screw me out of the above, she simply had been told that the CF will pay for 2 pr boots to be custom made, or to accomodate orthotics.   And I may be misinterpreting the info guide, so I've posted this to ask if I'm correct or what.   I intend to contact the medical coy on Monday anyway, but I'd like to know if anyone has experience with what Blue cross/CF covers.  

 

[Armymedic]

Now, the podiatrist wasn't trying to screw me out of the above, she simply had been told that the CF will pay for 2 pr boots to be custom made, or to accommodate orthotics.   And I may be misinterpreting the info guide, so I've posted this to ask if I'm correct or what.   I intend to contact the medical coy on Monday anyway, but I'd like to know if anyone has experience with what Blue cross/CF covers.  

And the info the podiatrist gave you is correct. And your impression is not. The CF does not get/make special order individually specific orthotic footwear. By modifying the footwear, they mean providing you with orthopedic inserts for you boots. And if with the inserts your feet do not fit properly/comfortably in your Mk 3 Cbt boot(or whatever you wear), the CF will provide you with alternatives that do fit better. As for civ foot wear...as a stretch you may, upon convincing the MO you absolutely need it, get custom insoles for 1 pr of running shoes because pt hurts your feet (good luck with it as I have only seen it once in an extreme case). Insoles for footwear other then your 2 pr of duty boots (and operational boots like jungle or tan boots) if not worn in uniform will be at your own expense.

The guide you refer to is just that, a guide. Fiscal reality and service availability are more the everyday normal situation.

Now the caveat to this is that a specialist beyond a podiatrist (not that I am sure there is such a beast) may perscribe you the foot wear you describe, but I have never seen that happen.

(edit- this is my 1000th post...doing what I do best)

 

[Sailing Instructor]

This makes sense, I couldn't understand why the CF would pay for all the stuff listed in the info guide.  Are the 2 pr boots to be selected by me or some medical authority?  I imagine I will probably be wearing my parade boots the most out of any footwear they gave me, so would I have the option of having a pr oxfords with inserts?

PS. Congratulations on your 1000th, Armymedic.