What rights do you have if the military is not providing you with proper health care services?

Nicole D — Mon, 26 Feb 2018 01:37:41 -0500

What can you do if you are having physically symptoms and are asking for help but all they are doing is pushing a “psychiatric” solution and are being put up for MEB? How can you get the proper diagnosis if they will not let you seek other help or provide proper help to get to the cause of your health problem?

Response by Maj Marty Hogan made Feb 26 at 2018 7:10 AM

Maj Marty Hogan — Mon, 26 Feb 2018 07:10:43 -0500

Nicole D I am confused on the statement they are not letting you seek help- or provide it. You can ask for a second opinion- you can also go off base. I can't tell what branch this is tied to- but the VA is an option. It will not cease the MEB however if that case has already started moving forward. This is just a guess, but the provider would have to be from the mental health portion to push the psychiatric solution. That or you have been seen by a mental health rep?

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Feb 26 at 2018 10:46 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Mon, 26 Feb 2018 10:46:05 -0500

1, Many physical symptoms are manifested because of mental problems. 2. You can on your own dime and seek a second opinion outside. 3. If a professional has recommended MEB, it will be an uphill fight to quash it.

Response by SSG Dale London made Feb 27 at 2018 8:18 PM

SSG Dale London — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 20:18:17 -0500

Responding to the question as you framed it: if your are a service member, none. In the military's eyes you are not the best judge of your healthcare needs and the doctor, or whatever is the subject matter expert. You will do what he/she says, end of story. If you are a dependent, you are at liberty to seek civilian medical attention but it will be at your own expense. It's been a while since I was in but back then, if the military could treat you and you went off-base, CHAMPUS would not cover you. (Oh, boy. I'm dating myself by mentioning CHAMPUS).
Realistically, though, if you believe your doctor has been negligent in your treatment or has mismanaged your case, you can complain. Just bear in mind that picking a fight with an army doctor usually does not end well for the complainer. Lots of reasons for this and none of them very good but real just the same.

Response by Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 5 at 2018 7:44 PM

Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 19:44:57 -0400

Get a second opinion or seek out another provider at your own expense. Remember: you know yourself best!

Response by SGT Lorenzo Nieto made Apr 27 at 2021 6:05 AM

SGT Lorenzo Nieto — Tue, 27 Apr 2021 06:05:15 -0400

I would have to say what is the health issue, if you activate duty talk to your co, a chaplain you could go to an outside doctor.