LESSON 2
ABSENT SICK PROCESSING
Section I. ADMINISTRATION OF ARMY MILITARY PATIENTS IN CIVILIAN
MEDICAL TREATMENT FACILITIES (MTF)
2-1.
INTRODUCTION
Lesson 1 explained the circumstances under which an active duty (AD) Army patient
can be authorized care in a civilian MTF. When an AD Army patient is admitted to a
nonmilitary MTF or is placed in quarters by a non-Armed Forces, physician, the medical
commander in whose assigned geographic area the patient is located assumes
administrative responsibility for the individual.
a. When an AD Army patient is admitted to a nonmilitary MTF, he is in an absent
sick status.
b. When an AD Army patient is place in quarters by a non-Armed Forces physician,
he is in a sick-in-quarters status.
2-2.
GEOGRAPHICAL AREA OF RESPONSIBILITIES
Specific geographic areas of responsibility are assigned to individual medical
treatment facilities by the Commanding General, U.S. Army Medical Command or in
overseas areas by an Army major overseas commander.
2-3.
NOTIFICATION BY CIVILIAN MTF
Prompt notification that an AD Army patient is in a civilian MTF is important. An
Army MTF cannot assume administrative responsibility for or initiate action to return a
patient to military control unless it has knowledge of his confinement in the civilian facility.
Some AD personnel or civilian facilities do not know that an Army MTF should be notified
when an AD person is admitted to a civilian MTF. Without this notification, an individual
may be erroneously reported as absent without leave (AWOL). Therefore, it is important
that each Army MTF provide written notification to all civilian MTFs in its geographic area
of responsibility of the desired notification procedures. This notification should include
procedures for normal duty hours as well as after duty hours. It should include telephone
numbers and the appropriate section (e.g., admission and disposition office) or individual
(e.g., administrative officer of the day) to be notified. Information on billing procedures
should also be included to assist in the prompt payment of civilian facilities. Payment
procedures are covered in Section II.
MD0752
2-2