Medical clearance denied! Now what?

[Linda]

I just got word that my medical screening has been denied. I don't know exactly why yet; my husband hasn't picked up the actual papers. I had to fill out the EFMP form because I have a slight mental health issue...I get anxiety attacks occasionally and have medication for that, plus an anti-depressant to help calm me down during his crazy PSC process. Could that be why? I was told that you had to be very unstable to be denied. Like, multiple hospitalizations, suicide attempts, etc. My problem is nowhere near that severe. "As long as you're stable on your meds, you'll be fine, and they have mental health folks at Kadena" is exactly what the military doctor said during our screening meeting. The only other things I have are migraines (again, not severe, and I get only a few a year) and I had an abnormal pap smear, which the gyno is monitoring. Sorry if this is TMI....I am freaking out at work trying to think of how they could justify denying me.

This is so frustrating! Is that it? You're denied and you just have to stay home? Is there an appeal process, or can I do something to make them approve me? I wonder if my doctor botched the paperwork. She was not happy that she had to fill it out, and some of the things she wrote were not entirely accurate I think. She didn't even fill it out completely, and the EFMP person on base had to fill in some stuff. Ugh!

Any words of encouragement, or similar situations?

[Renee]

Well, when we did our screening, I take a mild antidepressant/anxiety pill. It wasn't the question that I was on the pill itself, they said the issue would be if I had been prescribed the medication by an actual psychiatrist, not a family practice dr. on base. Because you had to fill out EFMP paperwork about your condition they are probably looking at your condition as a little more than mild.

Also, I had an abnormal pap a few years back, but have had normal paps since and I didn't need medication or surgery for it. That can also be a factor.

You can try to change it, but if they still deny you you will have to get your hubby's orders changed. Normally if he goes unaccompanied he will go for a 2 year tour, however, if his unaccompanied status is due to a medical condition of a family member, he can get those orders for a one year hardship tour.

[Mary D]

Linda..

My cell is 405-664-5023

Give me a call.... I will give you my 2 cents, since I have just gone through some similar stuff.

:)
Mary

[Kiona Sewell]

hey is it okay if i give you a call too? i have what was called coartation of the aorta and i am so worried about getting denied. kadena doesnt have a cardiologist on base, and my husband will be over there for two years. i couldnt imagine being without him! i habe never had any problems with my heart, but i did have surgery when i was 9 days old. if you can help me, or anyone out there can, please email me. [e-mail] i am soooo nervous and scared theyll deny me for something that i cant help =[

[Renee]

If you get denied because of a medical condition, he can either get his orders cancelled altogether or he can get a hardship tour of one year. Do they have a cardiologist at the hospital on Lester? Are you taking any medication for it? Are you currently seeing a dr. for it? The best thing you should do would be to talk to your PCM or the overseas screener at the hospital where you are stationed. Each case is different so no one here can predict what will happen. Two people could have the same condition and one could get denied and one could get cleared. It totally depends on the circumstances.

[Kiona Sewell]

No, I do not take any medications. As far as Camp Lester having a cardiologist, I think they do. I've been doing a TON of research, and it says they have one but he is just your general cardiologist. I don't believe he does major surgeries or anything like that. I see my cardiologist annually (or at least try to!). Just in case anything unusual comes up.

[Renee]

When you go through the screening process they will ask you all these questions and such and then basically ask permission from Okinawa to see if there are facilities that can accomodate you. there are a few ladies on here who have been denied a few times, but with persistence have eventually gotten cleared. If you are having major concerns, definately call your overseas screener at the military hospital stateside that you use and get a feel for what you might be up against. The sooner you get that part done, the less stress it will be for you and you won't be stressing the last minute to get your clearance.

[laurie c]

all you need is a cardiologist to follow you if for some reason you were going to need surgery they would send you to Tripler in Hawaii or to San Diego. But it sounds like you just need to be followed and the Cardiologist would be the one to do it. it may not be that he does surgery only because the hospital is not equiped not the doctor.

[Joanne]

If your not under cardiologist treatment currently then your heart shouldn't be an issue. I had 2 heart surgerys at 6 months and 3 yrs and because I only have mild Mitral Valve Prolapse now I was cleared...had to get an echo to confirm diagnosis first though.

[Linda]

Huh. At first I didn't have the EFMP paperwork, but they were sure that Kadena would make a fuss if we didn't include it. My prescriptions are very mild...the lowest dose you can get, and I don't even take one regularly, and the other I will stop once we get settled in Japan. My husband was on the phone with the PAC AF people about this. Seems that Kadena didn't even consult with them before they denied me. They are going to re-review the paperwork. One of the reasons we were given was that some people get panicked when they get too hot...and since it's hot in Okinawa, I will surely freak out. Well....ok but heat is not one of my triggers at all. How can they just make stuff up like that and apply it to me? They also said that there is no one there that's qualified to prescribe depression/anxiety medication. Is that true?

Mary-
What time is a good time to call?

[Renee]

I don't know why a primary care doctor couldn't prescribe it. That's where I get my medication from. I take a very low dose. Maybe the AF has different standards or something. Maybe they are just questioning everything right now. Did they say you were denied or that your case was under review? My daughter takes a medication everyday for kidney issues. The overseas screener said that Japan might question it and might require some extra paperwork, but like my med, he asked, "You can stop this anytime at some point?" I said yes, but with my daughter, she is on it for life. The PCM just needs to sign off on it and the doc here is aware of everything and said that there is no issue why she shouldn't go. I hope it all works out for you. The stress won't help you, that's for sure. We've been working on getting orders for a year now and had to clear some hurdles with EFMP for our other daughter. In my family, if it's not one thing medically, it's another and for someone else. LOL!

[Linda]

As far as I know, I am denied by Kadena and under review by PACAF. I did some research on the Kadena Clinic and 18th medical squadron, and it looks like they offer family practice, gynecology, a pharmacy and have a mental health clinic. I am sure any service I need could be provided by one of them. The stress is definitely not helping! I really want to get things planned and it feels like we're running out of time.

[Renee]

There's the Kadena Clinic, but then there is the hospital at Lester that has a lot more services. I can't remember who it was on here who had the same issue, she was denied like 3 times then finally they cleared her. This was like in the last month. Hang in there. Good luck.