How long does it take for MEPS to process a medical and follow up with an appointment?

Christian McCormick — Tue, 24 Nov 2020 11:27:04 -0500

Hey just wondering how long does it usually take for MEPS to process a medical? I was recently in the Army for basic combat training and received a hip stress fracture during a ruck march I am in the process of getting a waiver right now my re entry code is 3 and my chapter is a 5-17 my recruiter told me my due date for my medical was Nov 23 2020 just wondering how long it usually takes for medical waivers and until how long will I wait to go to MEPS any information will help my recruiter does not update me very well also I am trying to re enlist into the Air Force as Security Forces.

Response by CPO Jarod Todd "Bull" Foreman made Nov 24 at 2020 12:54 PM

CPO Jarod Todd "Bull" Foreman — Tue, 24 Nov 2020 12:54:52 -0500

MEPS personnel get the MEPS doctor's request for a referral within the same day, usually. They call, if the flow on the floor gives them that opportunity, the same day (at large metro city MEPS, the flow does not afford any free or down-time and the staff calls within 24-72 hours for a referral out to see a specialist). At a MEPS in the middle of, say, Idaho or eastern Washington state, it happens within 24 hours of the same day they checked you, if the "day of" option was not available. It's usually waiting on a referral provider to call back that takes a couple of days. Then, if the referral doctor (usually one in town) calls back (usually his or her staff or nurse), and they typically do, they schedule you with priority given to the MEPS request. At the MEPS I worked as the Navy's Liaison Chief, it typically was a two-to-four week wait for any "body fracture," because there are few specialists in that area of expertise in the city I worked. I hope everything works out for you, and as always, remember it's a "hurry and then wait" philosophy in most places and the military is alike in that regard. Per MEPCOM regulations, unless a change occurred, they have up to 72 hours to call for the referral, but again, that might have changed since I was on duty.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 24 at 2020 9:24 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Nov 2020 21:24:48 -0500

When I swapped branches I had to go back to MEPS. I had a lot of craziness going on in my life and drank way too much coffee for breakfast. My heart rate was way(120+) up during medical checks. I had to go to my Dr. for three days in a row to get my heart rate checked. Once the Dr. faxed the paperwork to MEPS showing I was fine MEPS processed it within 48 hours. The biggest issue I have seen with the processing of medical paperwork is MEPS was provided with incomplete documents. If they tell you to bring X, Y, and Z. Bring Two Copies of X, Y, and Z! Don't think you know more than MEPS. That will screw you every time.

CPO Jarod Todd "Bull" Foreman You guys at MEPS are some of the most efficient military offices I have ever seen! Every time I heard of someone having issues with MEPS it was the prospective service member not providing what they were told to provide.

Response by Christian McCormick made Dec 7 at 2020 2:27 PM

Christian McCormick — Mon, 07 Dec 2020 14:27:03 -0500

Just an update I go to Meps after Christmas wish me luck!