VA-AMEDD Hearing Aid Sharing Agreement Business
By COL Richard Danielson
Five Army medical centers can now access the VA’s centralized database to order and track hearing aids, as well as pay for the orders electronically, using the Remote Order Entry System (ROES). While the system was originally set up to support active duty patients, WRAMC has also begun registering some retirees on the ROES national registration system, for use by other clinics when that patient moves to their area. The VA’s Denver Distribution Center recently reduced its Industrial Funding Fee from 7.5% to 6% due to, in part, an increased volume of orders from VA and Army audiology clinics. Since the last publication of the MAA Newsletter, the VA has placed programmable hearing aids on contract, yielding reduced costs (in the range of $90-$200) for military audiology clinics, as well. The Army is now considering a mechanism for mailing hearing aid batteries directly from DDC to soldiers who are deployed or assigned to remote assignments. COL Danielson continues to work with the VA and AMEDD Logistics on hearing aid issues.
In addition, Therese Robier, Audiology Section Supervisor at AASC, reports that 56% of all hearing aids now purchased in the WRAMC RACHAP program are digital or programmable models (from approximately nine manufacturer’s lines). A VA audiologist has begun seeing military retirees with VA service-connected hearing loss at the AASC, with follow-up hearing aid services provided at the Washington VA.
CPT Marjorie A. M. Grantham, USA
Welcome to…
- 1LT Nathan J. Smith, Ft Hood, TX. 1LT Smith is a University of Northern Colorado and Univ of Iowa graduate who is married and enjoys basketball, golf and family time.
- 1LT Norvis Haygood, Ft Riley, KS. 1LT Haygood is a Univ of OK graduate from Okmulgee, OK and a newlywed (married June 27, 1998).
- Sharon Gillespie, new civilian audiologist at West Point (DEC 98).
- Deanne Hall, new civilian audiologist at Ft Meade (JAN 99).
- Shelby Grace Fallon, born May 98.
- Alan James Robinette, born 05 SEP 98
Awards and Honors
- Ms. Rauna K. Surr’s retirement from the AASC will be marked by a champagne brunch at Bethesda NNMC on 12 FEB 99.
- LTC(P) Nancy Vause – selected for promotion to Colonel.
- CPT Eric Fallon – EFMB – AUG 98
- CPT Rosemary Jacobs – MSM and Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal – FEB 98.
Other News
COL Richard Danielson
CPT Mark Little at Eisenhower Army Medical Center, FT Gordon, GA will PCS to Korea JAN 99. DDEAMC will be without a military audiologist from JAN – MAY 99, when CPT Eric Fallon arrives.
CPT Marjorie Grantham replaces CPT Little as the new Southeast Regional Medical Command’s (SERMC) Consultant for Audiology and Hearing Conservation.
DDEAMC is now fully integrated with the VA DDC ROES. All hearing aid orders in the SERMC can be electronically ordered, billed, and tracked via the Internet. Attention USAF and USN Audiologists in the Southeast making referrals to DDEAMC for hearing aids: All first-time active duty hearing aid users will be referred to the Walter Reed Army Medical Center Aural Rehab. Program for fitting. Exceptions are on a case by case basis. Please send the impressions, audiogram, and pre-order form directly to WRAMC rather than to DDEAMC. The service member’s unit pays the TDY.
The Ft McPherson Band has now completed ER 15/25 Musician’s Earplugs fittings. Encouraging reviews from the Army Signal Corps Band at Ft Gordon prompted them to pay the $57 a pair price. The process involved two DDEAMC personnel traveling to the Band’s location in Atlanta, making the impressions, and sending the order in with the Band’s Government Visa Card number for payment. A demo set of musician’s plugs was used to mass brief the Band on fit, wear, use, etc. To date, only 2 Band members of 38 have indicated problems.