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Message about VA Dental Care from Sgt Douglas Berger - His personal story for other veterans fighting the Dental Battle with the VA
Mikel
I want to share a recent success that is already helping many Veterans. It is in my local area, but commenting on Rally Point will make it explode through all States.
I fought a battle at our local dental department about a needed procedure. The Chief of dental told me I had set a president. He said what I have gotten approved had never been accepted in his Clinic. He also expanded his reach to include all of Texas. Same results. He also said I might have been the first in the Nation.
It gets better the Prosthodontist and Oral Surgeon I had approved without help from the VA told me that now the VA is sending Veterans to them for treatment.
The Chief of Dental expressed how happy he is that this was approved, and now it can be offered to other Veterans who need this procedure.
There were many roadblocks that I had to go through, but it was worth the effort.
Mike, I appreciate your comments, and I agree it would help many Veterans. Dental Care has always been a tough topic. It is essential to know it is only available to 100% rated Veterans.
In my case, I had gone in with a loose tooth. After an x-ray, the problems were discovered to be "bone" related. The clinic lacked the equipment or surgery skill to tackle the issue. The solution was to outsource me.
The procedure is expensive, and not consider as an approved treatment. The reason for not supporting it is the committee recognizes the process as cosmetic.
Not true, but how can a Veteran change the decision of a committee of Doctors? Changing the committee's view was my challenge, and the solution required tackling not one, but many roadblocks.
The outcome has already helped Veterans in my local area. Now that precedent has been established; Veterans can use it to their benefit.
The Veterans Administration has always supported this treatment, but the Clinics misunderstood it. Once made apparently, approval was no longer an issue.
Semper Fi
Sgt. Berger, and Col. Burroughs: I'm quite happy that Sgt. Berger gas chosen to share this experience. His ordeal has been long and painful, but with both health and experiential benefit. I commend his endurance.
It is my hope that this will be shared with all on Rally Point. Many Veterans may may benefit, from the tribulations and success of one Veteran.
Isn't that what we all want and need, anyway ?
Most Sincerely,
Harriet Nix, MFA
Mikel
I want to share a recent success that is already helping many Veterans. It is in my local area, but commenting on Rally Point will make it explode through all States.
I fought a battle at our local dental department about a needed procedure. The Chief of dental told me I had set a president. He said what I have gotten approved had never been accepted in his Clinic. He also expanded his reach to include all of Texas. Same results. He also said I might have been the first in the Nation.
It gets better the Prosthodontist and Oral Surgeon I had approved without help from the VA told me that now the VA is sending Veterans to them for treatment.
The Chief of Dental expressed how happy he is that this was approved, and now it can be offered to other Veterans who need this procedure.
There were many roadblocks that I had to go through, but it was worth the effort.
Mike, I appreciate your comments, and I agree it would help many Veterans. Dental Care has always been a tough topic. It is essential to know it is only available to 100% rated Veterans.
In my case, I had gone in with a loose tooth. After an x-ray, the problems were discovered to be "bone" related. The clinic lacked the equipment or surgery skill to tackle the issue. The solution was to outsource me.
The procedure is expensive, and not consider as an approved treatment. The reason for not supporting it is the committee recognizes the process as cosmetic.
Not true, but how can a Veteran change the decision of a committee of Doctors? Changing the committee's view was my challenge, and the solution required tackling not one, but many roadblocks.
The outcome has already helped Veterans in my local area. Now that precedent has been established; Veterans can use it to their benefit.
The Veterans Administration has always supported this treatment, but the Clinics misunderstood it. Once made apparently, approval was no longer an issue.
Semper Fi
Sgt. Berger, and Col. Burroughs: I'm quite happy that Sgt. Berger gas chosen to share this experience. His ordeal has been long and painful, but with both health and experiential benefit. I commend his endurance.
It is my hope that this will be shared with all on Rally Point. Many Veterans may may benefit, from the tribulations and success of one Veteran.
Isn't that what we all want and need, anyway ?
Most Sincerely,
Harriet Nix, MFA
VHA
Dentist
Health
Benefits
What Would You Do
Edited 4 y ago
Posted 4 y ago
Responses: 19
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Good for you for taking this on. Too many give up and don't fight and then nothing changes.
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Sgt Douglas Berger
Thanks for sharing your observation.
Understand who to fight_, then there is a higher chance of winning. Example: My condition required a Prosthodontist. Community Care sent me a list of 6 dentists. I contacted them and told them a dentist did not have the training of a Prosthodontist, and the VA could not treat my condition. They informed me there was not a Prosthodontist on the VA approved list. So instead then train the Community Care person I researched and found a Prosthodontist. I then asked him to be added to the approved list.
Weeks passed, and he was not added. I had made several calls asking about his status. Each call the same answer, "they had not received approval_ It takes time." (roadblock). I researched and found the group that approved outside vendors. I made one call to them, and the Prosthodontist was approved in one day. Later the Oral Surgeon who he worked.
The next roadblock was a committee of Doctors who had never approved this treatment. Again the challenge was to educate the Doctors. My next visit was to the Chief of Dental. He was very professional, and he also mentioned this procedure had never been approved. I explained that it was wrong to deny this procedure based on the clinic did not offer it in the house.
The Prosthodontist who treated me along with the Oral Surgeon told me that they were now getting more Veterans referred to them.
There are many other things to be changed that will improve the care of our deserving Veterans.
Semper Fi
Understand who to fight_, then there is a higher chance of winning. Example: My condition required a Prosthodontist. Community Care sent me a list of 6 dentists. I contacted them and told them a dentist did not have the training of a Prosthodontist, and the VA could not treat my condition. They informed me there was not a Prosthodontist on the VA approved list. So instead then train the Community Care person I researched and found a Prosthodontist. I then asked him to be added to the approved list.
Weeks passed, and he was not added. I had made several calls asking about his status. Each call the same answer, "they had not received approval_ It takes time." (roadblock). I researched and found the group that approved outside vendors. I made one call to them, and the Prosthodontist was approved in one day. Later the Oral Surgeon who he worked.
The next roadblock was a committee of Doctors who had never approved this treatment. Again the challenge was to educate the Doctors. My next visit was to the Chief of Dental. He was very professional, and he also mentioned this procedure had never been approved. I explained that it was wrong to deny this procedure based on the clinic did not offer it in the house.
The Prosthodontist who treated me along with the Oral Surgeon told me that they were now getting more Veterans referred to them.
There are many other things to be changed that will improve the care of our deserving Veterans.
Semper Fi
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