VAC claims -long story

[SJLPHI]

Okay, long story short. I got injured in 2010-2012, did my CF-98 and etc. got medically discharge in 2016, but I jumped into a new career since and now happily living outside of Canada.

Due to the injuries I have suffered back in the days, I had some surgries done where I live now. I have a private insurance that covered the cost of most things but over the coming Christmas season I will be visiting my folks and got me wondering.

1. Who do I contact if I choose to claim the costs to myself (invoices are in German and another currency). My VAC card says all of the costs related to my injuries should be covered, but I never read anything about international situations.
2. I am interrupting my normal physio sessions locally to visit my folks. I am thinking about going to physio in Canada while visiting. Is this even worth trying to claim?
3. Lastly because of the surgeries, should I get them to re-analyze the level of disability?

Since I am only visiting for 3 weeks, I am wondering if going through any of this trouble is worth a while. Personal cost to these surgeries after insurance coverage is around 10kCAD.

 

[Jarnhamar]

Going to physio therapy for 3 weeks while you visit Canada seems like a waste of time.

 

[Teager]

You should contact VAC or get an online blue Cross account and start contacting and/or reading on what's covered.

Good luck on getting physio here in Canada for 3 weeks with the Christmas season. You might get seen once or twice in that 3 weeks and the first session will be assessment. As Jarnhamar said it's a waste of time.

Usually physio will give you exercises or things you can do at home for you to work on that should keep you going over the 3 weeks.

 

[CountDC]

1. VAC and it can be done online or via phone.
2. NO and don't waste time going even if you are lucky enough to find one as per Teager reply.
3. Maybe. Anytime you have a change that appears to make things worse you should reassess.

 

[SJLPHI]

Going to physio therapy for 3 weeks while you visit Canada seems like a waste of time.

Not quite... for the extensive reconstructive surgery I've had.

 

[SJLPHI]

You should contact VAC or get an online blue Cross account and start contacting and/or reading on what's covered.

Good luck on getting physio here in Canada for 3 weeks with the Christmas season. You might get seen once or twice in that 3 weeks and the first session will be assessment. As Jarnhamar said it's a waste of time.

Usually physio will give you exercises or things you can do at home for you to work on that should keep you going over the 3 weeks.

I do remember Canadian healthecare being bad but not this bad... Yikes... In Ottawa there was a clinic specializing dealing with veterans next to Monfort hospital, the manager really priortized us, nice guy.

 

[SJLPHI]

1. VAC and it can be done online or via phone.
2. NO and don't waste time going even if you are lucky enough to find one as per Teager reply.
3. Maybe. Anytime you have a change that appears to make things worse you should reassess.

I'll harass them over the phone a little bit while my skype credit lasts... I found out there is now a VAC online account? This is interesting...

 

[CountDC]

Thank goodness there is an online account. My VAC Account | Veterans Affairs Canada

 

[Jarnhamar]

Not quite... for the extensive reconstructive surgery I've had.

Finding someone with space for multiple appointments within 3 weeks, doing an intake and explaining your history, potentially requiring medical and previous physiotherapist records (especially if you've had extensive reconstructive surgery) might not be worth the effort compared to asking g your current person for 3 weeks of exercises. Good luck either way.

 

[SJLPHI]

Finding someone with space for multiple appointments within 3 weeks, doing an intake and explaining your history, potentially requiring medical and previous physiotherapist records (especially if you've had extensive reconstructive surgery) might not be worth the effort compared to asking g your current person for 3 weeks of exercises. Good luck either way.

Yes, I am probably spoiled by the efficiency of local clinics where I live now. I got a copy of the surgeon's prescription anyways...

This is something I really like about where I live now, I can reason with people and it takes minutes to set up appointments. Government officials and health care workers take a phone call to fix things on the spot.... I do remember waiting for over 6 months for an "emergency" MRI in Canada, but I thought private physiotherapy clinics would be more efficient...

 

[blackberet17]

VAC rep here. Setting up a My VAC Account is the easiest way to communicate with VAC, especially from overseas. Ack of your message is usually within 24 hours, with a response typically within three days. Link above is the one to use, or this one: Register for My VAC Account - just note, if you're trying to set up an account this weekend, My VAC Account will not be available on Sunday 15 December 0340 to 1300 ET, for system maintenance.

You can also call toll-free or collect, so save those Skype credits:
United Kingdom, Germany, France, Belgium:
00-800-996-22421 (toll-free)

All other countries:
1-613-996-2242 (collect)

Through the My VAC Account, you can request a reassessment of your disabilities, download and upload forms, and there's a secure message feature as well.

 

[SJLPHI]

I gave them a call because I needed them to give me an enrollment number anyways and cleared things up. Apparently I am eligible but I need 6 months since the surgery before reassessment but couldn't get a clear answer about local physio sessions.