When military personnel receive medical care, a healthcare record is created to document the details of the doctor’s visit or hospital stay. Much like civilian medical records, this information can play a role in future treatments and diagnoses.
Accessing military medical records is often challenging, but DrOwl ensures information can be safely stored in one convenient place. Here are a few steps you can take when seeking military health records.
There are many factors that can dictate where medical information for military members is stored. One is the specific branch of the military you belong to, as different branches use different methods of storage. For example, the Air Force may keep information in the AF STR Processing Center depending on what year the military member retired or was discharge. Conversely, members of the Navy may need to contact the Navy Medicine Records Activity.
In the event you’re requesting information from the National Personnel Records Archive, you’ll need to submit a request. Veterans and their family members can make these requests online, while other individuals must complete a form or send/fax a letter.
If you received treatment from a VA hospital in the past, reach out to that facility directly for more information on your medical records. These providers will be able to provide information on previous visits, whether they involved physical exams, lab testing, or surgical procedures. You may be asked to complete a form or provide identifying information in order to access this information.
If you saw a private practitioner while in the military, you’ll need to contact that healthcare facility for your records. Hospitals and clinics will have specific processes for requesting medical information, so speak with the provider for more information on how to proceed.
Here at DrOwl, we believe that every person deserves easy access to their medical information. Research shows that patients are more empowered to play a proactive role in their health when they can easily access medical information. Also, regular reviews of personal healthcare records ensure greater accuracy, as you can identify possible errors and have them fixed immediately.
If you’re looking for a more convenient method of storing military medical records, sign up for DrOwl today. You can also contact us to learn more before getting started.
