Health Care Providers Fact Sheet

Fact Sheet For Health Care Providers

We recognize that deployment can be the cause of health concerns or health issues for Service members. And we know that Service members returning from deployment may not experience or recognize health concerns until days or months after they return.

We are committed to health care programs that successfully safeguard the health of our Service members. As an integral part of this commitment to their health, we have expanded our deployment health program to include the Post-Deployment Health Reassessment (PDHRA).

The PDHRA is a process designed to identify the deployment-related health concerns of Service members during the three- to six-month time period after their return from deployment and facilitate access to care.

The reassessment begins with Service members completing a questionnaire focused on their deployment experience and any health concerns they may have stemming from that deployment. Service members will then discuss the questionnaire, and any health concerns they may have, with a health care provider.

The PDHRA will be offered to all Service members who have returned from operational deployment, including all active duty Service members, National Guard, and Reserve members, as well as those who have separated or retired since their return from deployment.

While the initial focus of the program is those Service members who fall within this three- to six-month time period, the program will be made available to all Service members who have returned from deployment since September 11, 2001. Service members who have returned from deployment and are beyond the six-month period will be contacted by their unit or Commander with details regarding their participation in the PDHRA.

Primary care providers such as physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners and independent duty corpsmen, as well as independent duty technicians, will conduct the assessment portion of the PDHRA. This process is similar to the current implementation of the Post-Deployment Health Assessment, or PDHA.

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