Posted on Sep 9, 2015
Does your chain of command need to know about your medical history?
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At my previous command, we were never asked what our appointments were for. I had a great department that trusted us that we weren't misusing their trust, so we didn't. However, and my new command, I constantly get asked what my appointments are for, from different levels of my chain of command. I'm not comfortable telling them, because quite frankly, it's none of their business. I just simply tell them that it's at the hospital. I'm not lying, I really do go to my appointments. But it's getting uncomfortable, and I feel like they know better.
Medical
Privacy
JAG
Chain of Command
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 23
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As a Health care provider I will weigh in here. Do they need to know thing that affect readiness etc.? Yes. Do they need to know you have a UTI, fecal impaction, a cold, pharyngitis, jock itch, athletes foot, an STD, absolutely not. Try to make friends with some independent duty corpsmen, physicians assistants etc, see them for run of the mill stuff as much as possible instead of the docs. They usually are, or used to be, enlisted and will be glad to give your command what for. When you need specific special care, get copies of the follow up sheets and so on to give to command. Most health care providers will redact private health care info off of the sheet.
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You only need to inform them of your appointment. It is a violation of your privacy for them to ask why or what medical condition you may have...
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Request Mast to your Commanding Officer and inform him or her that your HIPPA rights are being violated. If that doen't work then file an equal opportunity complaint of the grounds of a hostile working environment.
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CDR Michael Goldschmidt
Just parade out the unions. My god, when did even miltary people become so pussified, @HN? The military is about readiness, not about each person's comfort zone.
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CDR Michael Goldschmidt
Just happened to have a higher rank than you...as if it's some accident of birth?
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HN (Join to see)
HIPPA is more powerful than your opinion. And the OP doesn't have to tell his leadership his medical conditions or specific details about his appointments. Sir did your commands in the past really force you to tell your supervisor every single pmh, procedure and surgery with them or something? Unless it effects deploying then it's truly not their buisness. CDR Michael Goldschmidt -
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CDR Michael Goldschmidt
What matters is your readiness, both to deploy and to perform your daily duties. If you fail to inform your chain of command regarding your ability to do so, you are derelict in your duties. HIPPA does not trump unit readiness. MG, out.
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I guess I should have added in the start, that it has nothing to do with female wellness.
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I disagree that your medical conditions are none of their business. The Navy is not the civilian world. Your medical condition affects your readiness and the command's. including its ability to deploy. Sailors and civilians do not have equal rights to privacy.
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TSgt David Holman
Command only needs to know what will affect the troop from a readiness/fitness for duty standpoint. Everything else is still protected under HIPPA laws.
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SSG Stephan Pendarvis
Amen...when you raised your right hand you gave up your right as a civilian. Most service members try to forget this for their entire career.
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CDR Michael Goldschmidt
Yup, they own our asses, which is why orders are called orders, not requests.
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HN (Join to see)
Well of course you can disagree. However lpo, director head or what ever title or rank needs to only know, Is this sailor able to be deployed or not . The why's and hows and who's and what's are irrelevant. End of story, we might have signed our asses or what ever but remember we have not given up every right we have. An lpo doesn't need to know if a sailor has a personal medical condition.
And as an officer I'm sure you know that LIMDU and Med boards are real things. Leadership really only needs to see that, anything more is just you voluntarily disclosing your personal issues with another human who is asking to either gossip, gather dirt or just clearly has no regard to privacy.
And as an officer I'm sure you know that LIMDU and Med boards are real things. Leadership really only needs to see that, anything more is just you voluntarily disclosing your personal issues with another human who is asking to either gossip, gather dirt or just clearly has no regard to privacy.
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It's none of their business. Tell them the time of your appointment and where it is. If the issue affects readiness your CO will be informed by your DOC. Otherwise your privacy is covered under HIPAA. If you don't want them to know they don't have the right to.
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Yes they do and should ask. If it has a potential to effect the mission and your readiness they deserve to know. Obviously some limitation should occur where you can give them the minimum information but still keep them informed.
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There may be some privacy issues. You are not required to discuss your medical situation.
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Different times. More sailors having real problems that may lead to medical separation
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My chain doesn't really ask for what it is about, I have a paper copy of the appointments and what it is for. I guess a lot of kids keep saying they have appointments when they really don't and that's probably why now the Chain's ask what it is about.
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