Medical Review for IPPT

Weejeremy SG

During my service as an NSF I was classified as a PES B. After this initial classification, I have met with several unfortunate accidents and have injured my hand and my leg on separate occasions. As I was on MC for about 6 months for recovery and this period stretched over my ORD date, I am unsure if SAF is aware of my medical condition and if my current PES status is appropriate for me since a formal review of my injuries was left undone.

Recently, I have been told that I will have to take my IPPT before my coming birthday. This is the first time that I have been requested to take IPPT since my ORD date in 2002.

Few days ago, I went to see the MO at my camp, i was told that there was no records of my injuries on file and that I was currently a PES B and was required to take the IPPT. I then highlighted to him about my injuries and how it would prevent me from taking the IPPT without causing pain and possibly aggravating my injuries. The MO informed me that a specialist review and certification letter was needed for a review of my PES status. An appointment to see a specialist at SGH was scheduled. Upon further enquiry, I was informed that I would have to bear the full cost of consulting the specialist at SGH, which i felt was unjust. (Sidenote: This MO asked if a corrective surgery was done. I replied yup, of course, they put plates in to hold my bones together. DUH! Then he said, "Oh.. Corrective surgery is supposed to correct your injuries so you should be fit for IPPT." WTF?)

I am sure that any specialist will certify that I am unfit for IPPT since I have broken my leg big time and once had 15 screws and metal plates in it. But my gripe is why is SAF making me pay to get a piece of paper. I have got about 20 pieces of X-rays showing my bones from all angles, but i didnt bring it that day. I did not ask for a letter from the specialist after my operation because I didnt think i'll need it.

Here are my queries.

1) As I have clearly highlighted my constrains on taking the IPPT to an SAF MO and a request for SAF to review my medical condition, and since it is SAF who wants to verify that I am unfit for IPPT, why is the financial responsibility of getting the opinions of a specialist on me?

2a) Assuming that I do not have the money for the consultation with the specialist at SGH, does it mean that I will be ordered to take my IPPT regardless of my medical condition?

2b) Who will be responsible for any possible injuries that I may sustain, including future complications that may arise, whilst attempting the IPPT.

2c) Who/Where should I seek medical attention from? Also, who is responsible for the financial cost incurred.

3) After seeing the MO at the camp recently, I was given an excuse from IPPT for 3 months. However, My window is closing in 20 days, hence I am not allowed to take an IPPT. Because I am unable to take the IPPT, and have not taken any yet, I will be charged as an IPPT defaulter. What should i do?

Thanks in advance!

Cheers!

eac SG

1) For reservists, Mindef will borne the fees only when it's an in-service injury (which an injury report must be filed at that time of injury), and once the claim is approved, the issurance of a Service Injury (SI) Card.

2a) Technically, yes. BUT u can be granted excuse IPPT/RT/IPT with a valid SAF MC, such as the one u r currently holding.
OR during an IPPT session, u can go to a FCC medical centre accompanied with a PTI (Bedok/Khatib/Maju) with a private clinic MC which it can be endorsed with a maximum period of 2 weeks by right as stated in a GOM rule. Upon expiry and if needed, the MC endorsement will be on a renewal basis.

2b) If any injury is sustained/aggravated during IPPT/RT/IPT (even as a reservist), u r advised to file an in-service training injury report to seek compensation claims (just like an insurance claim) and once approved, in future, all medical fees incurred in any govt restructured hospital will be fully borned by Mindef with the issurance of a Service Injury card.

2c) During IPPT session, proceed 1st to the camp medical centre. Any if deemed needed by the MO, a referral to any govt restructured hospital. Post admin matters, seek assistance from your NS HRC.

3) With the valid SAF MC, u will not be charged. But what if an admin lapse that wrongfully charge u as a defaulter, appeal the charge on the basis of the MC.
Reference: www.sgforums.com/forums/1390/topics/329591

Weejeremy SG

Eac,

Thank you very much for your concise reply! Certainly answered my questions; tenfolds better then the helpline at www.ns.sg.

Just some follow-up question.

4) As I've already gotten a referral from the SAF MO to a specialist at SGH. Assuming I miss this appointment and not get any memos from the specialist to SAF MO. When I take my IPPT the next cycle and aggrevate my existing injury, will your answer to (1) still be applicable? Or will they claim idemity by saying that I was told to visit a specialist to have my injury verified but by did not do so.

5) Getting a "life time" cover for a aggravation of injury during IPPT sounds fair. However, how likely is the claim (and for the issue of an SI card) approved and what are the procedures? Looks like this is an alternative way for them to "reconize injuries" and excerise some of their core values.

Cheers!

Weejeremy SG

eac,

Oh yes, one clarrification on your answer to question (3).

I've read at http://www.ns.sg/nsPortal/appmanager/nsp/default?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=nsPortal_UNI_IPPT_FAQ

"Medical Excuse and Examination

Q1 What if I am injured or medically unfit to take my non-ICT IPPT during my qualifying window?
It is important that you seek medical treatment on your own should you be injured or is medically unfit. The medical certificate that your doctor issued to you is recognised as valid medical excuse. However, you can only be exempted from the annual IPPT if you have a 6 months consecutive or 9 months cumulative of valid medical excuse within the same IPPT qualifying window. You are advised to contact your NS Unit to request for a medical review if you have more than 3 months of medical excuse for a particular injury that prevents you from taking your IPPT.

Q2 What if my 6 months consecutive or 9 months cumulative medical excuse straddle across two IPPT qualifying windows?
You would be dealt with as an 'IPPT Defaulter' in the 1st qualifying window. Hence it is strongly encouraged that you should book your IPPT immediately after your qualifying window has started."

My window is 1Nov 07- 1Nov 08.

As I have not yet taken an IPPT session, and received a 3 month excuse from the MO on the 10th Oct 08, wouldn't that mean that technically I am still a defaulter and will still be rightfully charged once my window is over in about 20 days? Funny thing is that, now with the 3 months excuse there is no way out for me even if i am willing to take and pass the IPPT tomorrow, I can't.

eac SG

Eac,

Cheers!

4) It'll be better for u to go for the SGH appt as scheduled, in which the referral is the same referral procedure from a polyclinic.
On the other hand, if u r to file an injury report, there is a part where u have to provide a brief detailed description on how the injury happened. This is where u can write the long story of the injury, as told in your 1st post here.

5) From the moment the injury report claim is filed till its approval, most cases took an approx. few months, while a handful of complicated cases can take up to a year to be verified and processed (during my nsf time a couple of years ago).
U can file the injury report at the PTI office, or your respective NS HRC.

eac SG

eac,

Oh yes, one clarrification on your answer to question (3).

I've read at http://www.ns.sg/nsPortal/appmanager/nsp/default?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=nsPortal_UNI_IPPT_FAQ

"Medical Excuse and Examination

My window is 1Nov 07- 1Nov 08.

Refer to here for others' experiences:
www.sgforums.com/forums/1390/topics/329591

matchless SG

So let me get this straight (since it's more immediate for you).

You have 20 days before your window closes, but you also have a valid medical excuse yes?

Technically, you should be safe. Technically you won't be charged as an IPPT defaulter.

However, because this is NS, murphy's law applies. Anything wrong that can happen will happen. Do not be surprised if you received a letter charging you for defaulting even though you have a medical excuse.

If this happens, remember to appeal. This is a grey area which i think an MO can clarify better than me. Since you are on excuse, you are not medically fit to take ippt. However, i think mindef's guideline is that a person can only be excused ippt for the year if he has 6 months cumulative MC or 9 months of non-cumulative mc.

The situation might be that mindef can say why for the 11 months when ur window opened, you did not attempt your ippt, why you wait till last minute. however, u can also argue and say that you have many commitments that prevented you from taking ippt.

you have 20 days or less before your window close, i suggest you call ns.sg, call your unit, do whatever it takes IN YOUR power to get an answer. i.e. unit clear you for ippt for the year.

anyway, just refer to the thread that eac linked. you can read more about my/other forumers' experiences.

Weejeremy SG

Thanks for the replies.

Here is an update. After i wrote in and called in to www.ns.sg

Someone called me up saying that I will be exempted from IPPT since my excuse was issued by the MO at my camp. She also specifically mentioned not to go for the IPPT that i have booked because their "system" has flagged me as one who has an excuse and with an IPPT appointment (since i booked one just to prove my point). I guess its a grey area, and given their reputation, i won't be surprised if i receive a charge letter. As matchless has mentioned, Murphy's law applies here.