Hi there. I am so glad that I came accross this site. My husband finally got his RIP sheet to Osan AB. He's USAF, E-5, Ling. His RNLTD is 8 Feb 08. Currently, it's unaccompanied, but he's "calling in a few" in hopes of getting it CS'd. He was over there in '02-'03, so we've "been there/ done that" for the whole u/a thing. I really want to get overseas, I'd really like to avoid another 1 year separation, and also several friends from back when I was AD are over there now who I'd really like to see.

We are still discussing the whole CS/ NCS thing, weighing the pros and cons of each.

I know I am probably going to have lots of questions, so thanks in advance for any help.

I do have one initial question(s). Sorry, but it's a big one. Are there audiologists or ENTs over near Osan (military and private)? Also, how much of an effect does EFMP have on CS?

Here's my situation:

My son (5 1/2) has moderate hearing loss in one ear (from birth), that is benefitted by a hearing aid. Since we're at Ft Meade, we're in the John's Hopkins branch of Tricare, where there is no EFMP. Back in '03-'04 and currently, he can have his hearing aid checked and molds made with no EFMP enrollment. However, he stopped wearing his hearing aid when we were sent back to Monterey, CA ('04-'05) because of the EFMP enrollment required (to get new molds made) by Tricare Prime at the time. His audiologist at the time said he was okay to go without a hearing aid (no developmental delays). He has no complications with his ears (no tubes or specialists needed) other than the need to have a new mold made every 3-6 months or so.

His new doctor is putting him back in a hearing aid because, as he said, it doesn't hurt to go without one, but it does help to have it. Just in case something happens to his good ear, he'll know how to use his "bad" one. So when I transfer back to Tricare Prime this winter, he'll probably need to go on EFMP; as molds are $200+ each time to get privately ($400-$800 a year), and they still want yearly checkups (because of his age).

I really just don't want to hurt our chances of getting over there, but really want my son to be able to hear fully. Though he loved preschool, it was awfully hard on him. I am willing (if it's feasible) to pay out of pocket for his molds, but would love to not have to.

Sorry that was so long. I welcome any advice, and any experiences that you all might have.

I can't speak for how the Air Force does things, but the Army is extremely "EFMP unfriendly" when it comes to Korea. In 2001 when I was getting ready to PCS to Korea, I requested a command sponsorship. Among other requirements to get the command sponsorship approved, is an EFMP screening for all family members. Without giving it much thought, I wrote down in the screening that my son had surgery several months prior, and was supposed to see the doctor one last time, but wouldn't bother since we would already have PCSed by the time the appointment came around. It was to be the third or three visits to the surgeon over a one year period, basically to just make sure everything was going well. The first two visits went just fine, and there was no reason to believe the third would be any different. I believe it was more of a a case of the doctor requesting the visits because he knew three appointments were authorized under Tricare, and it was an easy way of making money (just my opinion on that though).

Once the doctor at the EFMP office saw what I had wrote, the red flag immediately went up. She said the basic rule for Korea is that ANY EFMP issue automatically stops further processing of a CSP request. I tried to explain it was really only a minor thing and that I'd just as soon redo the paperwork. She wouldn't have any of that though. I ended up having to get a letter from the doctor saying the third visit wasn't necessary after all - and that took a lot of time and I was already in a serious pinch for time.

I would look into the whole matter very closely before you decide how to handle the situation with your son - and if he can get by without the hearing aid until after you get to Korea, it might be the way to go. As many other posts in this forum mention, medical costs in Korea are very, very reasonable. You might be able to get a hearing aid for your son in Korea at your own expense and only have to pay a fraction of what it would cost in the States.

Well, I can say the EFMP for coming to Korea is very easy, even with a problem.

As of now I am Command Sponsored, but I still had to go through the same EFMP screening even though we already had one for my family coming over here. It was 3 forms, I filled them out, the DR signed them. I informed the EFMP person at 121 (the head EFMP person) he called my DR asked a few questions and I was EFMP approved. in a matter of a few hrs.

Also my wife had a MAJOR surgery proir to coming over here, she is still a diabetic (type 2, Used to be insulin dependant) and has had 2 MAJOR surgery's since being here in Korea. So it went pretty quick for EFMP.

As for EENT they have them at 121 hospital but there is only 1. They do have an audiologists on Yongsan not at 121, he is VERY good. When I could not pass a class 3 hearing test to fly ( in 121's booth) I went to see him and he said they have no clue what they are doing so he passed me.
I don't think you'll have a problem, If your son is on EFMP you should not have a problem either.

Hope this helps

__________________
CH-47 SI

They must find it difficult...

Those who have taken authority as the truth, rather than truth as the authority. --Gerald Massey

Here's a suggestion if you decide to come over non-command sponsored...

Get molds made before you leave. Maintain Prime while on the peninsula, with the attitude that you are on an extended vacation from the States. Go back on a mid-tour and get new molds made. Return for the last six months, and then get new molds done again when you arrive at your next base. That gives you new ones about every six months.

It might be none of my business, but don't discount the importance of your son being able to hear as much as possible. He's still in a critical stage of vocabulary and grammar development and the more he has access to a full language (be that English, American Sign Language, Korean Sign Language, or whatever), the better his language development will be. Every little bit helps.

Good luck making your decision! My five year old had a great time while we were in Korea (although he was a bit annoyed at first by walking everywhere and he was very bothered that so many Koreans smoke).

Kara