Subject: Outport Medical Examinations

1. The outport medical examination process enables you to obtain your occupational health physical, while on leave, at Navy medical treatment facilities (MTF) or federal occupational health (FOH) clinics. The intent is to allow maximum flexibility in obtaining required medical examinations closer to your residence therefore allowing you to spend more time in a personal leave status. You have the option to complete your exam either while on leave or when you return to the customer support init (CSU).
2. All medical services officers (MSO) have a list of participating facilities. The medical offices, East and West, are the centralized points of review for the physical examinations and duty determinations. The MSO is responsible for ensuring each mariner is medically screened when reporting onboard and before departing the ship to identify what examinations, if any, are needed. Your physical examination may be scheduled before departing the ship and the MSO can assist you with scheduling or you can call the CIVMAR support center, 1-800-562-7672.
3. If you have any supporting documentation from your own physician on any new health concern or existing chronic medical condition please bring a copy to your appointment and have it forwarded with your physical examination to the MSFSC medical office.
4. There are certain aspects of the occupational medicine examination which may not be done at FOH clinics. If you require an asbestos medical surveillance examination or an audiogram (hearing test) as part of the hearing conservation program these examinations must be done at a MTF and not FOH facility. A hearing test may be done at a FOH facility, as part of a routine physical examination, but will not be valid as part of the hearing conservation program.
5. Before departing the ship, the master, purser and/or your department head will remind you of your obligation to remain in contact with your MPS. At the time you leave the vessel, you will be required to provide updated contact information (such as home address, telephone number, e-mail address, pager, cellular number, and/or fax number) to the purser for relaying to your MPS.
6. Many physical examinations done for MSC include lab tests requiring fasting specimens. When scheduling an appointment for a physical ask if you will have blood drawn. Fasting requires that you eat no food for a minimum of 8 hours, but preferably up to 12 hours, prior to having your blood drawn. You should drink no liquids (other than water) during this time but should continue to take all required prescription medication. Smoking and heavy exercise may affect your results as well so avoid them during your fasting period.
7. While attending the medical examination, you are placed in a full duty status with pay. The time you take to set up the examination and to make arrangements is not paid. Time and attendance will be maintained by your MPS and can be accomplished by phone, fax or other specified means. Compensation and transportation costs to and from the nearest medical facility will be in accordance with existing joint travel regulations entitlements. Mariners who miss appointments or make untimely cancellations will reflect negatively upon you and this command.
8. If you are found fit for duty following your physical examination and you are not assigned to a ship, you have the following options:
   • If you have approved leave remaining, you may remain on leave to finish out your leave period or you may be authorized additional leave, if requested, and your ship is not immediately available.
   • If your leave is completed, you may report to the CSU to await assignment to your next vessel if one is not immediately available.
   • You may report directly to your next assignment if prior arrangements have been made.
9. If you are found not fit for duty, you have several options:
   • Your may request sick or other leave through your MPS.
   • If you request to remain in a duty status, you must report to the CSU at your own expense and you will receive your advance notification of enforced leave. At this time, you may seek medical treatment, second opinions, or whatever needs to be done to get medically cleared for duty.
   • You may remain on leave or leave without pay while you seek medical treatment/evaluation close to your home.
   • Finding and paying for a physician and medical treatment/evaluation will be your responsibility.
10. The MSO is the point of contact for questions from shipboard personnel regarding outport physicals. CIVMARs ashore may contact the respective force medical offices: East (757)443-5760 or West (619)524-9929.

Last revision: October 19, 2010