If you're on DA can you go abroad for a few months if you need medical treatment?

marti8

I'm on DA and a few days ago went to a dentist (had to pay as I've already used up my free checkup) I thought it was simply root treatments that I needed (and just wanted to get a consultation and an x-ray) However I was told I had something called TMJ (Temporomandibular joint disorder) and that was causing my tinitus, jawache, earache, headaches, eyeache etc etc. I contacted the HSE and was told I would probably be waiting 6 months to get seen by a specialist. If left untreated it can get progressively worse and can get very serious, currently popping over the counter painkillers everyday. (Also need root canal done but the HSE have refused to authorise it - and if the molar is pulled I'll have no bite on that side!)

Root canal in Ireland costs about €350/€400+ for a molar whereas in eastern Europe you can get it for €25 (regular place) to €55 ("posh" place, lol) - big difference.

Now we have some savings so I'm thinking - just thinking - to hell with it, it's my health, I'll go to eastern Europe and get it sorted out there over a few months (it takes months to sort it out - it not sugery, it's osteopaths, neurologists, dentists, doctors, ENT specialists etc) My wife will stay here and every 4 weeks or whatever I'll pop back here. What I'm trying to figure out is can I tell Social Welfare that I have to get it sorted out and cannot wait 6 months before even having my initial consultation and then only going for therapy etc once a month after that so I'm going to eastern Europe for a few months and going to sort it out there, therapy etc every second day if need be - all out of my own pocket. Doing the State a favour in a way. What will they say I wonder? Would they want me to sign off getting DA - couldn't do that though. As it stands I get DA paid into my bank account. The only other option open would be not to tell them. Thanks.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temporomandibular_joint_disorder

georgieporgy

have you considered using some of your savings to pay for the urgent treatment? 500 euro and you will be all fixed up in 1 week. No need to face the stress of travel and trying to get somebody else to pay for it. stress is a killer.

marti8

georgieporgy wrote: »

have you considered using some of your savings to pay for the urgent treatment? 500 euro and you will be all fixed up in 1 week. No need to face the stress of travel and trying to get somebody else to pay for it. stress is a killer.

Thanks but I'm not sure what you mean? The TMJ can't be fixed over a week, it's a time consuming, expensive process - quite possibly involving numerous specialists. I would be on a waiting list here for 6 months simply to have my first consultation with a specialist. The root canal can be done here in an hour for about €350/€400 but that is not the main problem now - the main problem is TMJ. Have non-stop tinnitus because of it, not good to put it mildly. TMJ can lead to hearing loss. Recently my hearings been very sensitive, with earache plus tinnitus - well, it's just not good.

The simple fact is that this has to dealt with now but it won't be dealt here and now here in Ireland - as I said 6 months before I'd even see a specialist. In eastern Europe it's immediate - as long as I pay of course.

Going to make an appointment to see my doctor and see what she says, as TMJ isn't solely a dental issue, it's also a general medical issue needing a multi disciplinary approach. Can't rely on the dental system here if you're on the med card. The med card is handy for medical issues but still could be on waiting lists for god knows how long. May just go and not tell them anything, in fact I'd probably be saving the taxpayer thousands but it would require me to be outside the State for a few months and just coming back every few weeks.

georgieporgy

sorry, i thought i replied to you on Dental Issues forum where you also posted. I got mixed up. In any case a bite splint can be fabricated by your dentist in a week. Your symptoms will alleviate immediately. It's a dental issue. There is no specialist that deals with Temporal Mandibular Joint disfunction. A dentist is the closest you will get. You are lucky. Your dentist diagnosed the cause of your complaint and offered to treat it for a fee of 150 euro. The treatment is available immediately here as it is in eastern europe.
150 euro is not a lot to rid you of such serious discomfort.

visiting your GP will be a waste of time as doctors don't know much about it and will probably just prescribe antiinflamatory drugs and refer you to someone else (like a dentist)

daltonm

marti8 wrote: »

I'm on DA and a few days ago went to a dentist (had to pay as I've already used up my free checkup) I thought it was simply root treatments that I needed (and just wanted to get a consultation and an x-ray) However I was told I had something called TMJ (Temporomandibular joint disorder) and that was causing my tinitus, jawache, earache, headaches, eyeache etc etc. I contacted the HSE and was told I would probably be waiting 6 months to get seen by a specialist. If left untreated it can get progressively worse and can get very serious, currently popping over the counter painkillers everyday. (Also need root canal done but the HSE have refused to authorise it - and if the molar is pulled I'll have no bite on that side!)

Root canal in Ireland costs about €350/€400+ for a molar whereas in eastern Europe you can get it for €25 (regular place) to €55 ("posh" place, lol) - big difference.

Now we have some savings so I'm thinking - just thinking - to hell with it, it's my health, I'll go to eastern Europe and get it sorted out there over a few months (it takes months to sort it out - it not sugery, it's osteopaths, neurologists, dentists, doctors, ENT specialists etc) My wife will stay here and every 4 weeks or whatever I'll pop back here. What I'm trying to figure out is can I tell Social Welfare that I have to get it sorted out and cannot wait 6 months before even having my initial consultation and then only going for therapy etc once a month after that so I'm going to eastern Europe for a few months and going to sort it out there, therapy etc every second day if need be - all out of my own pocket. Doing the State a favour in a way. What will they say I wonder? Would they want me to sign off getting DA - couldn't do that though. As it stands I get DA paid into my bank account. The only other option open would be not to tell them. Thanks.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temporomandibular_joint_disorder

In your situation I would go my GP and get an assesment from him (while it is initially a dental problem - it seems to be causing other symptoms), in relation to waiting times - see here >

http://www.ntpf.ie/home/

"If you are a public patient on a public hospital in-patient or day-case waiting list and you have been waiting over three months for an operation or procedure you may qualify for this scheme. The NTPF aims to treat those who have been waiting longest first."

OR

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/health/hospital-services/hospital_treatment_abroad


It states "If you are ordinarily resident in Ireland and require specific hospital treatment that is necessary and is not available in Ireland, the Health Service Executive may authorise the provision of this treatment in another EU/European Economic Area (EEA) member state or Switzerland if certain conditions are met."

As I said, take a trip to your GP and discuss the options.

marti8

georgieporgy wrote: »

sorry, i thought i replied to you on Dental Issues forum where you also posted. I got mixed up. In any case a bite splint can be fabricated by your dentist in a week. Your symptoms will alleviate immediately. It's a dental issue. There is no specialist that deals with Temporal Mandibular Joint disfunction. A dentist is the closest you will get. You are lucky. Your dentist diagnosed the cause of your complaint and offered to treat it for a fee of 150 euro. The treatment is available immediately here as it is in eastern europe.
150 euro is not a lot to rid you of such serious discomfort.

visiting your GP will be a waste of time as doctors don't know much about it and will probably just prescribe antiinflamatory drugs and refer you to someone else (like a dentist)

I wonder if a splint alone will do the job? I really have to doubt whether tinnitus etc will stop simply because I'm wearing a splint? If it does that's just great of course. Can get it in Ukraine for about €50. I also need fillings, root canal etc so Ukraine may still be my best bet but I'll see. Thanks!

marti8

daltonm wrote: »

In your situation I would go my GP and get an assesment from him (while it is initially a dental problem - it seems to be causing other symptoms), in relation to waiting times - see here >

http://www.ntpf.ie/home/

"If you are a public patient on a public hospital in-patient or day-case waiting list and you have been waiting over three months for an operation or procedure you may qualify for this scheme. The NTPF aims to treat those who have been waiting longest first."

OR

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/health/hospital-services/hospital_treatment_abroad


It states "If you are ordinarily resident in Ireland and require specific hospital treatment that is necessary and is not available in Ireland, the Health Service Executive may authorise the provision of this treatment in another EU/European Economic Area (EEA) member state or Switzerland if certain conditions are met."

As I said, take a trip to your GP and discuss the options.

Thanks for that. Yes I had heard of the NTPF (but with all the cuts coming down the line who knows if it'll be still there?!) I have a doctors appointment tomorrow so I 'll see what my GP says. And I have an appointment with an ENT specialist in 4 weeks time (relating to a seperate issue) so perhaps the ENT doctor could also do something but I don't hold out much hope on that front really. Thanks.

georgieporgy

marti8 wrote: »

I wonder if a splint alone will do the job? I really have to doubt whether tinnitus etc will stop simply because I'm wearing a splint? If it does that's just great of course. Can get it in Ukraine for about €50. I also need fillings, root canal etc so Ukraine may still be my best bet but I'll see. Thanks!

http://www.drjimboyd.com/
this link will provide a lot of useful info on a splint called NTI.

my normal fee for such a splint is 250 euro and that is at the low range. If you got a quote for 150 it may be for a full arch splint (not an NTI). Quite good too and often more suitable than NTI. depends on your specific situation. nighttime grinding and clenching often cracks teeth (necessitating root canal and crowns) so wearing a splint has numerous benefits for you. one final word of advice - avoid getting root canal treatment in eastern europe if you value your teeth. I've treated a lot of eastern europeans in my dental office over the past few years and have had the opportunity to see it up close.

marti8

georgieporgy wrote: »

http://www.drjimboyd.com/
this link will provide a lot of useful info on a splint called NTI.

my normal fee for such a splint is 250 euro and that is at the low range. If you got a quote for 150 it may be for a full arch splint (not an NTI). Quite good too and often more suitable than NTI. depends on your specific situation. nighttime grinding and clenching often cracks teeth (necessitating root canal and crowns) so wearing a splint has numerous benefits for you. one final word of advice - avoid getting root canal treatment in eastern europe if you value your teeth. I've treated a lot of eastern europeans in my dental office over the past few years and have had the opportunity to see it up close.

€250.....jese, you're raking it in! My idea of low range is 50 quid, lol. Thanks for the info, I'll check out the link too. I'm sure it'll confuse the life out of me, as I have the attention span of a goldfish. I know the dentist I saw said the cost for the splint would be between €80 & €100 (and €50 for the consultation) Seeing my GP tomorrow so will ask who he can refer me to (maybe a multifoxial specialist - I'm sure I've spelt that wrong!) Was back onto the dentist today and was told they'll write to the local HSE dental dept asking that they refer me to a specialist (or perhaps that was a dental hospital? - head like a sieve)

I'm in two minds about Ukraine - simply because of cost and because with all the cut backs and social welfare due to be cut not too sure what's coming down the line. Have to save my moula for molotov cocktails rather than Long Island Iced Tea in Kiev :pac: But then again it has to be addressed (numerous dental issues) so it's money well spent even if grudgingly so.

This is the panoramic x-ray I had taken last Friday (not sure whether my tetth are supposed to look sideways In reality they look completely straight.