My husband is trying to get orders to Japan and he said I have to do something to do with medical???

Question

Can anyone give me a heads up on what to expect??? He said he has to fill out 3 pages of stuff but is not sure what I have to do he said he'll get me the paperwork, but he's out to sea and takes forever to communicate and I don't like waiting. I really don't like doctors so I hope it's just filling out paperwork, any info would be very appreciated.

Answer 1

For any overseas assignment, all military and their dependents have to undergo a medical screening.  You will have to have an appointment with your PCM, as well as a dental appointment.  They will make sure your vaccinations are up to date, reveiw your medical history and, if you are recieving any long term treatment or have a condition that could require specialized care that would be difficult to get at the overseas location, they will pass that info on to the base you are going to.  The recieving base would then review all the information and decide if they will accept you or if they feel that it is best for you to remain in the states.  Conditions that may preclude you from going overseas can include cancer, surgery that will require close follow up, mental health issues such as severe depression or sucide attempts in the past 3-5 years, on going conditions such as arthristis, diabetes, MS, etc.  Depending on where you are sent, many overseas bases do have the facilities and specialists to address most health needs, so unless the issue is extreme, it is unlikely to be denied.  Smaller, more remote bases have fewer facilities and in Japan, there are no options to use civilian providers because of language issues, so it may be tougher to pass a screening for say Misawa over Yokuska.  If you have any children, they will be screened as well.  If any family member is enrolled in EFMP, the EFMP co-ordinator of the recieving base will have to review those files as well to be sure services can be provided (especially important if you have a child on an IEP).

If during the exam, both physical and dental, they find anything that can be corrected before you PCS..say the need for a filling or if a PAP comes back with abnormal results, you may have to complete the recommended treatment before being signed off.  It really is not that tough or scarey..just a bit time consuming and the waiting part is a pain.  Find out who is co-ordinating your PCS..they should be able to give you the info.  However,. until you have official orders in hand, do not make any appointments..there is often specific paperwork the practioner has to fill out and you won't get it until orders have been cut.

Answer 2

You will have to get an overseas screening.  They just want to make sure you have no ongoing medical problems that can't be taken care of in Japan.

Answer 3

When he has "orders in hand" then you can begin your medical/dental screening.

If you or any children are on the EFM program he will have an unaccomanied tour. Meaning you can't go with him.

There is allot of items on that 3 page checklist. None of which can be done before he actually recieves a hard copy of his orders.

I know you are anious. But you can't do anything right now.

Answer 4

You have to get all your vaccinations done before hand.  

Answer 5

Your medical history has to be looked at to ensure that you do not have some acute or chronic medical conditions which would require treatment beyond the capabilities of the military treatment facilities in Japan. There are only two Naval Hospitals in that country. At Yokosuka, about 25 miles from Tokyo and at Camp Lester in Okinawa Prefecture, about four miles south of Kadena Air Force Base.

Although these are both first-rate medical facilities, they don't cover all of the specialties one would see at the Mayo Clinic or Johns Hopkins. Added to that is the simple fact that the operating budgets of those facilities are based on active-duty base loading, with not one dime given them by the Congress for the care of retirees and dependents and you can see where their priorities are.

So, if you have something like multiple sclerosis or a current malignant cancer, you might be barred from accompanying your husband on a "command-sponsored tour".

Hope this helps explain things.  

Answer 6

Annies answer is perfect, it is exactly what we do for overseas duty screening...I'm not trying to step on her toes by also answering I just wanted to throw in the reason why.

For the most part there are limited medical facilities in Japan..like for example Sasebo Japan only has a small clinic that is not really outfitted for more than just the basics. So we want to make sure there are no impending "big" problems that can be taking care of before you leave that way the number of "surprises" are limited for the time you are there.

In addition, if your husband wants to request and overseas extension...you may be required to travle to a larger medical facility such as in Yokosuka to have another cursory examine before the extension is granted.

Answer 7

You'll need shots... and paperwork