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Responses outline differing approval and reimbursement rules across DND, NIHB, VAC, RCMP, and FNHA, with reliability, durability, and provider qualification considerations.",{"@graph":14,"@context":72},[15,34,55],{"@type":16,"itemListElement":17},"BreadcrumbList",[18,23,27,31],{"item":19,"name":20,"@type":21,"position":22},"https://docshare.wps.com","Home","ListItem",1,{"item":24,"name":25,"@type":21,"position":26},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/","Document",2,{"item":28,"name":29,"@type":21,"position":30},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/healthcare/","Healthcare",3,{"item":32,"name":10,"@type":21,"position":33},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/federal-healthcare-partners-virtual-spring-meeting-minutes-18-may-2022/513576/",4,{"url":32,"name":10,"@type":35,"image":36,"author":41,"headline":10,"publisher":44,"fileFormat":47,"inLanguage":8,"description":12,"dateModified":48,"datePublished":49,"encodingFormat":47,"isAccessibleForFree":50,"interactionStatistic":51},"DigitalDocument",{"url":37,"@type":38,"width":39,"height":40},"https://docshare.wps.com/thumbnails/federal-healthcare-partners-virtual-spring-meeting-minutes-18-may-2022/513576.png","ImageObject",300,407,{"name":42,"@type":43},"Riley West","Person",{"url":19,"name":45,"@type":46},"DocShare","Organization","application/pdf","2026-10-22","2026-10-06",true,{"@type":52,"interactionType":53,"userInteractionCount":33},"InteractionCounter",{"@type":54},"ViewAction",{"@type":56,"mainEntity":57},"FAQPage",[58,64,68],{"name":59,"@type":60,"acceptedAnswer":61},"Why do CIC hearing aids require prior approval while custom counterparts may not?","Question",{"text":62,"@type":63},"Responses indicate DND does not cover CIC/mini-canals without exceptions due to reliability and durability concerns, including higher failure incidence and shorter battery life. NIHB and VAC apply prior authorization rules for covered hearing aids and pre-authorization for first-time reimbursement requests.","Answer",{"name":65,"@type":60,"acceptedAnswer":66},"How are Li-ion rechargeable hearing aid battery replacements coded and reimbursed?",{"text":67,"@type":63},"NIHB lists specific rechargeable battery hearing-aid codes in the Government of Canada guide, noting no prior approval. VAC reimburses rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries under benefit code 320621 with quarterly calendar-ear parameters, and RCMP permits use of 320621 for Oticon lithium-ion rechargeable battery replacements.",{"name":69,"@type":60,"acceptedAnswer":70},"What are the eligibility rules for tinnitus devices and tinnitus-related therapy?",{"text":71,"@type":63},"DND and NIHB do not cover tinnitus devices or services. VAC reimburses tinnitus therapy prescribed by qualified clinicians registered under specified VAC programs, and also reimburses related mental health services for coping with tinnitus. RCMP covers tinnitus-related therapy under occupational healthcare but requires an Otolaryngologist prescription when submitting claims.","https://schema.org",{"og:url":32,"og:type":74,"og:title":10,"og:site_name":45,"og:description":12},"article",{"robots":76,"canonical":32},"index,follow",{"doc_id":78,"site_id":7},513576,1791853509,{"code":4,"msg":81,"data":82},"success",[83,87,91,95,100,105,109,114,119,122,126],{"id":22,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":84,"show_sort_weight":85,"slug":86},"Story & Novel",90,"story-novel",{"id":26,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":88,"show_sort_weight":89,"slug":90},"Literature",80,"literature",{"id":33,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":92,"show_sort_weight":93,"slug":94},"Exam",70,"exam",{"id":96,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":97,"show_sort_weight":98,"slug":99},5,"Comic",60,"comic",{"id":101,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":102,"show_sort_weight":103,"slug":104},6,"Technology",50,"technology",{"id":106,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":29,"show_sort_weight":107,"slug":108},7,40,"healthcare",{"id":110,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":111,"show_sort_weight":112,"slug":113},8,"Research & Report",30,"research-report",{"id":115,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":116,"show_sort_weight":117,"slug":118},9,"Religion & Spirituality",20,"religion-spirituality",{"id":117,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":120,"show_sort_weight":117,"slug":121},"World Cup","world-cup",{"id":123,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":124,"show_sort_weight":123,"slug":125},10,"Lifestyle","lifestyle",{"id":127,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":128,"show_sort_weight":96,"slug":129},19,"General","general",{"code":4,"msg":81,"data":131},{"doc_id":78,"user_id":132,"nickname":42,"user_avatar":133,"doc_module":4,"category_id":106,"category_name":29,"doc_title":10,"doc_description":12,"doc_content":134,"file_id":135,"file_url":136,"file_type":137,"file_size":138,"view_count":33,"is_deleted":4,"is_public":22,"is_downloadable":22,"audit_status":22,"page_count":110,"language":139,"language_code":8,"site_id":7,"html_lang":8,"table_of_contents":140,"faqs":141,"seo_title":142,"seo_description":12,"update_tm":143,"read_time":117,"preview_page_count":4},1099523885074,"https://ap-avatar.wpscdn.com/davatar_9964176cb1d06d4a9deccf72a44ae3dc","Federal Healthcare Partners (Virtual) Spring Meeting Minutes: 18-MAY-2022 Host: SAC  \nCommittee Chairs: Charlotte Douglas (SAC) & Justyn Pisa (CAA)  \nParticipating Organizations: First Nations Health Authority (FNHA), Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB), Department of National Defence (DND), Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC), Medavie-Blue Cross, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Speech-Language & Audiology Canada (SAC), Canadian Academy of Audiology (CAA)  \nAgenda:  \nIntroductions  \nGeneral Questions  \nFollow-up Questions/Discussion Adjourn  \nMS Teams Meeting Link:  \nJoin on your computer or mobile app  \nClick here to join the meeting  \nJoin with a video conferencing device  \n[teams@mbtelehealth.ca](teams@mbtelehealth.ca)  \nVideo Conference ID: 114 509 952 3  \nAlternate VTC instructions  \nQuestions  \nQ1: Member Questions to ALL Federal Health Partners  \nA) Why do completely-in-canal (CIC) hearing aids require prior approval when their larger custom counterpart hearing aids (ex, in-the-canal (ITC), in-the-ear (ITE)), which are the same price, don’t require prior approval?  \nDND Response: DND does not cover CIC and mini-canals hearing aids without exceptions. This decision has nothing to do with costs. It has to do with reliability and durability. CAF members are often away from their units for taskings/deployment, which can send them anywhere in the world for extended periods of time. CIC and mini-canal hearing aids have a greater incidence of failure than other styles, thus the reason for not covering them.  \nNIHB Response: The NIHB Program requires prior approval (PA) for all hearing aids covered under the Program.  \nVAC Response: VAC requires that pre-authorization for first time reimbursement requests of Completely-In-Canal (CIC) and Mini-canal (MC) Hearing Aids. The decision to require preauthorization for any benefit or service is made considering many different factors.  \nIt has been our experience that there is a higher rate of return and failure with these types of Hearing Aids. In addition, batteries for these aids, due to their very small size, do not seem to last more than 5-7 days. It has also been our experience that elderly Veterans, with manual dexterity problems, struggle with insertion, removal and battery replacement for these types of Hearing Aids due to their size.  \nRCMP Response: The RCMP requires prior approval (PA) for all hearing aids covered under the Program.  \nFNHA Response: Hearing aids are covered in the Fee Supplement-right (code 27003) and left (code 27004) with a limit of $1083 each, 1 every 5 years. Claims do NOT require prior approval. Completely-in-the-canal hearing aids right and left are included in the coverage. This reimbursement includes the fitting fee.  \nFNHA’s latest updates to our fee supplement includes fee codes for:  \n• 27106 (Hearing Aid Batteries-Rechargeable $50 per battery L&R every 3 years)  \n• 27055 (Hearing Aid-Battery Charger $275 every 5 years)  \n• 37078 (Cochlear Implant-Battery Charger $450 every 5 years)  \n• 27056 (Hearing Aid Cleaning $26 per year)  \n• Included hearing reassessment for pediatric in code 27017.  \nB) Oticon allows us to change out Li-ion batteries for rechargeable hearing aids in clinic when they need to be replaced. I have heard conflicting information on what code they need to use for this service. At Oticon, they’re under the impression that we can use the disposable battery code (when the aids are out of warranty) to replace them. Some other clinicians have been told there is no code, and they need to send in the devices as an out of warranty repair. Some clarity on this would be helpful.  \nDND Response: Hearing aid batteries are issued to CAF members through our base pharmacy network. The DND is now aware that the battery needs to be replaced with lithium ion batteries and fitting adjustments need to be made; please contact DND representative Pierre Lamontagne directly for pre-approval/processing of reimbursement.  \nNIHB Response: NIHB codes for Li","cbCaii84XBUIUFer","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaii84XBUIUFer","pdf",451787,"English","# Agenda\n## Introductions\n## General Questions\n## Follow-up Questions/Discussion Adjourn\n# Key Q&A Topics\n## CIC/mini-canal hearing aid prior approval and reimbursement\n## Li-ion rechargeable battery replacement codes\n## Qualifications and training for tinnitus services","[{\"question\":\"Why do CIC hearing aids require prior approval while custom counterparts may not?\",\"answer\":\"Responses indicate DND does not cover CIC/mini-canals without exceptions due to reliability and durability concerns, including higher failure incidence and shorter battery life. NIHB and VAC apply prior authorization rules for covered hearing aids and pre-authorization for first-time reimbursement requests.\"},{\"question\":\"How are Li-ion rechargeable hearing aid battery replacements coded and reimbursed?\",\"answer\":\"NIHB lists specific rechargeable battery hearing-aid codes in the Government of Canada guide, noting no prior approval. VAC reimburses rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries under benefit code 320621 with quarterly calendar-ear parameters, and RCMP permits use of 320621 for Oticon lithium-ion rechargeable battery replacements.\"},{\"question\":\"What are the eligibility rules for tinnitus devices and tinnitus-related therapy?\",\"answer\":\"DND and NIHB do not cover tinnitus devices or services. VAC reimburses tinnitus therapy prescribed by qualified clinicians registered under specified VAC programs, and also reimburses related mental health services for coping with tinnitus. RCMP covers tinnitus-related therapy under occupational healthcare but requires an Otolaryngologist prescription when submitting claims.\"}]","Federal Healthcare Partners (Virtual) Spring Meeting Minutes - 18-MAY-2022 | PDF",1791287296]