# 2021-209 Medical and Dental Care, Spectrum of Care

Case summary

F&R Date: 2022-09-14

The grievor, a Regular Force member, suffered an injury during basic training that was later re-aggravated. The grievor was unhappy with the pace of her recovery and underwent Registered Massage Therapy (RMT) at her own expense. She then sought compensation for her expenses, alleging there were gaps in her medical care, and that Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members received a lower standard of care than other federal employees relative to receiving RMT treatment.

The Initial Authority (IA), the CAF Surgeon General, noted that RMT is not included in the Spectrum of Care (SOC) as it does not satisfy the five principles for inclusion found in the Assistant Deputy Minister (Human Resources-Military) Instruction 03/04. After reviewing the grievor's medical records, the IA concluded that the break in treatment was due to an indicated improvement in her health, and that the grievor was referred back to care when she later reported pain in the injured leg. The IA noted that the grievor was correctly informed that the SOC did not cover RMT when she inquired about whether reimbursement was possible. The IA concluded that the decision to deny reimbursement was justified.

The Committee found that the grievor sought outside treatment before informing the CAF of her new pain. As a result, the Committee found there was no gap in healthcare. The Committee noted that CAF members are entitled to receive health benefits and services comparable to those provided to other Canadians through their respective provincial health care plans and observed that these provincial plans do not presently provide RMT. The Committee noted that the CAF would provide RMT under exceptional circumstances and found that the grievor's situation did not meet that threshold. The Committee concluded that the grievor was not aggrieved and recommended that redress not be granted.

FA decision summary

Withdrawal at the Final Authority level.