# 2019-183 Pay and Benefits, Spectrum of Care

Case summary

F&R Date: 2020-10-27

The grievor acknowledged that the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Spectrum of Care (SoC) does not cover the cost of a breast pump. Nevertheless, she disagreed with the decision of the Base Surgeon to deny her request for reimbursement. As redress, the grievor sought reimbursement for the cost of the breast pump. She also requested that the CAF amend the SoC to include the reimbursement of breast pumps.

The Initial Authority, the Commander of Canadian Forces Health Services Group, did not render a decision in the required time period and so the grievor requested that her grievance be forwarded to the Final Authority (FA).

The Director of Medical Policy reviewed the grievor's request and indicated that the decision not to reimburse the breast pump was in keeping with the SoC, explaining that breast pumps have not been covered because they do not meet the inclusion criteria described in the five principles of the SoC.

The Committee found that the decision to deny the grievor's request for reimbursement was in accordance with the policy, noting that there was no evidence that any province or federal agency currently covers such a cost.

As a result, the Committee recommended that redress not be granted.

FA decision summary

The FA, the acting Chief of the Defence Staff, agreed with the Committee's recommendation that the grievor not be granted reimbursement for the cost of a double breast pump. However, the FA directed that the Commander Canadian Forces Health Services Group conduct a review to revisit the inclusion of breast pumps under the Standard of Care and directed the Commander Military Personnel and the Canadian Armed Force Dress Committee to examine the possibility of providing access to breast pumps through a mechanism other than as a medical device under the Standard of Care.