Medical Administration for Veterans - Blue Cross vs. Sun Life

I received a respose back from Sun Life, the people who run the Public Service Health Care Plan. They indicated that they would be thrilled to take over the administration of our Veterans medical from Blue Cross but there is one thing we must do. See actions required below.

"The best way to make your voices heard is for each member who prefers their plan to be administered by Sun Life Financial to speak with the Pension Office individually is able to determine the depth of this request.You may contact the 
Canadian Forces Pension Centre at 1-800-267-6542 for further assistance".

The Canadian Forces Members and Veterans Re-establishment and Compensation Act, 

PART 4 GENERAL (Health Benefits)

Group insurance program

66.(1) The Minister may

(a) establish or enter into a contract to acquire a group insurance program ( I believe it to be Blue Cross for Veterans) comparable to the Public Service Health Care Plan established by the Treasury Board

(2) A member, a veteran or a member's or a veteran's survivor may elect to participate in a group insurance program referred to in subsection (1) if they meet the prescribed eligibility requirements.

I have been waiting 6 months for my latest decision from VAC / Blue Cross. When I deal with Sun Life ( Public Service Health Care Plan established by Treasury Board) I never wait more than two weeks for a decision.

I SEE A DIFFERENCE, DO YOU???

Bargaining Power - Give It A Thought

I have put in my request for a financial summary of Blue Cross

Compensation. If we all did, then we might be able as a

group,approach other companies and negotiate a better and

more fair deal. Your choice of course but, it sure would give

us some real power to bargain with and ensure we get a

better system than what we have today.

Letter to Ombudsman - Opting Out Of Blue Cross

• Opting Out Of Blue Cross‏

10:23 AM

Reply  ▼

 Michael Cole

• 

  

To ombudsman, Esprit de Corps, Josee McIver VAC Kirkland Lake, legion hq new, Peter Stoffer/Holley Brown, Peter Stoffer/Holley Brown NDP, Vet Advocasy

From:	Michael Cole (thebobs1@sympatico.ca)
Sent:	May-08-12 10:23:14 AM
To:	ombudsman (info@ombudsman-veterans.gc.ca)
Cc:	Esprit de Corps (espritdecorp@idirect.com); Josee McIver VAC Kirkland Lake (josee.mciver@vac-acc.gc.ca); legion hq new (cgasser@legion.ca); Peter Stoffer/Holley Brown (stoffp@parl.gc.ca); Peter Stoffer/Holley Brown NDP (stoffp1@parl.gc.ca); Vet Advocasy (veteran_advocate@canadianveteransadvocacy.com)

I am requesting a monetary breakdown of the costs paid for my current Blue Cross coverage. I realize more may be forthcoming but, I wish to put out applications with other health providers to see what services they can offer me.

Blue Cross in it's present form is for a Veteran, unworkable and someone like Sun Life might be happy to pick up the contract. I will be speaking to them soon regarding this asspect of my compensation.

I look forward to receiving the numbers and the methods used to determine the costs so I can have them verified. Thank you for your time.

Captain (R) Michael I. Cole, CD1

michaelcole9112010@gmail.com

thebobs1@sympatico.ca

VETERANS BLOG: michaelcole9112010.blogspot.com

TWITTER: Michael Cole @michaelthebobs1

Opting Out of VAC Blue Cross - Lack of Service

• Time Limits Reached - Orthotics‏

Reply  ▼

 Michael Cole

• 

  

To Josee McIver VAC Kirkland Lake, ombudsman, Dave Nurse, Esterina Lorelli

From:	Michael Cole (thebobs1@sympatico.ca)
Sent:	May-08-12 8:52:05 AM
To:	Josee McIver VAC Kirkland Lake (josee.mciver@vac-acc.gc.ca); ombudsman (info@ombudsman-veterans.gc.ca)
Cc:	Dave Nurse (dave.nurse@vac-acc.gc.ca); Esterina Lorelli (lorelli@bellnet.ca)

Since filing my Application for Orthotics in 2011, the last unsigned response was dated 02 February 2012. Although an unsigned document is not a legal one (like an unsigned cheque), I thought it best to write and ask for a further update. 14 April 2012 I received a signed letter from VAC indicating that they would look into the matter starting then, 16 to 17 weeks since my last request. It has now been another 12 weeks since my response letter to VAC's unsigned letter and still no answer.

My Knees are getting progressively worse and I have requested a consequential claim for my knee issue caused by not being able to receive Orthotics for my feet. I am awaiting the paperwork.

So to re-cap; I submitted a request for Orthotics due to my loss of nerve function in both legs (nerve damage claim approved). I asked then for Orthotics to stabilize my feet so I would not get any further damage to my ankles or knees. It has now been in excess of 24 weeks I have been waiting for a response (1/2 year). My knees are so bad now I can't run at all and I am in constant pain while walking.

I would ask if you could RUSH this through but, I do not believe that my situation will be resolved.

I am contacting Blue Cross today and looking back into opting out of the VAC Blue Cross health plan. It seems impossible to get a timely response. 

As a foot note, did VAC find any of the medical documents lost indicating why I was hospitalized for a month or are they still missing as is the letter from the Queen to myself?

Captain (R) Michael I. Cole, CD1

michaelcole9112010@gmail.com

thebobs1@sympatico.ca

VETERANS BLOG: michaelcole9112010.blogspot.com

TWITTER: Michael Cole @michaelthebobs1

Heard Something - Recruiting Manual

I heard through the grape vine that Russ Williams was pictured prominently on the new recruiting publication. I understand that they are being recalled through an amnesty program so they don't get released to the general public. A lot of oversight there.

Did we pay for that one too??

Follow-up with the Governor General

• Follow-Up to Email 03 March 2012‏

6:19 PM

Reply  ▼

 Michael Cole

• 

  

To GG, GG2, GG!, bob rae, BPA-BSJP-Toronto BPA-BSJP-Toronto, cbc, Equitassociety, esprit contact, Globe1, Josee McIver VAC Kirkland Lake, legion hq new, lisa laflamme, NDP, NDP, ombudsman, Peter Stoffer/Holley Brown NDP, Peter Stoffer/Holley Brown, TEMA, Todd van der Heyden, Vet Advocasy

From:	Michael Cole (thebobs1@sympatico.ca)
Sent:	May-01-12 6:19:21 PM
To:	GG (info@gg.ca); GG2 (marie-eve.letourneau@gg.ca); GG! (christelle.legault@gg.ca)
Cc:	bob rae (bob.rae@parl.gc.ca); BPA-BSJP-Toronto BPA-BSJP-Toronto (bpa-bsjp-toronto@vac-acc.gc.ca); cbc (cbcnewsottawa@cbc.ca); Equitassociety (info@equitassociety.ca); esprit contact (mlblaisrcr@gmail.com); Globe1 (ted@tedbarris.com); Josee McIver VAC Kirkland Lake (josee.mciver@vac-acc.gc.ca); legion hq new (cgasser@legion.ca); lisa laflamme (news@ctv.ca); NDP (admin@lpco.ca); NDP (communications@lpco.ca); ombudsman (info@ombudsman-veterans.gc.ca); Peter Stoffer/Holley Brown NDP (stoffp1@parl.gc.ca); Peter Stoffer/Holley Brown (stoffp@parl.gc.ca); TEMA (admin@pandys.org); Todd van der Heyden (todd.vanderheyden@bellmedia.ca); Vet Advocasy (veteran_advocate@canadianveteransadvocacy.com)

Sir; I realize that you of course are very busy with the upcoming visits of the Royal Family. I emailed you and your staff two months ago and I am writing you to follow up on my last correspondence. Other than the initial response I received confirming that your office did in fact get my email, I have not heard anything from your staff as to the progress made thus far.

I have heard back from the Privacy Commissioners Office and have responded back to them. I respectfully request an update on the situation I inquired about. I look forward to getting closure on these matters.

I will be sending this email by Registered Mail tomorrow, just so I can be sure that it gets to the right location. Thank you in advance for your time and attention to this matter.

Captain (R) Michael I. Cole, CD1

michaelcole9112010@gmail.com

thebobs1@sympatico.ca

VETERANS BLOG: michaelcole9112010.blogspot.com

TWITTER: Michael Cole @michaelthebobs1