• Medical Affairs Branch

  Periodic Health Update (PHU)

  Frequently Asked Questions

  Why did the USPHS Commissioned Corps change from the five-year physical to the annual Periodic Health Update (PHU)? It seems like I’m getting an annual physical examination which doesn’t make sense.?

  An annual PHU is a patient-centered, evidence-based assessment. The five-year physical was not based on United States Preventive Services Task Force guidance. The PHU is one of the many tools in the readiness toolkit used to ensure our officers are healthy and ready to deploy. You should only be getting a focused physical examination based on your healthcare provider’s assessment of your personal situation.

  I am currently serving with the Coast Guard, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or the Department of Defense, can I have an annual Periodic Health Assessment (PHA) done instead of the PHU?

  Even though the PHU is very similar to the PHA, the PHA cannot substitute for the PHU. Every Public Health Service officer is required to complete an annual PHU.

  When will I be required to submit my PHU?

  1. Due to the pandemic, the PHU requirement resumes on January 1, 2021.
  2. You must complete and submit the PHU during your birth month period (the first day of the month preceding the month in which you were born and the last day of the month after the month in which you were born - 3 month window).
  3. For 2021 only, officers with a January birth month have until March 31, 2021 to complete their PHU.
  4. A small number of officers commissioned in 2020 will not have to do a PHU until 2022. Those officers have been contacted and issued a waiver for their PHU by the Readiness and Deployment Branch.

  When are newly commissioned Public Health Service officers required to get their first PHU?

  Newly commissioned officers are required to get their first PHU during their first birth month period that is one year after their accession physical examination.

  Do I need to report my weight and height on my PHU?

  Beginning in 2021, your weight, height, and body mass index (BMI) recorded in your PHU on the DD-2808 “Report of Medical Examination” will replace the Annual Physical Fitness Test (APFT) as your official annual weight submission.

  If your BMI is over 27.5 kg/m², your provider or another healthcare provider recommended by your provider must determine your estimated percent body fat by the “taping” method. Those results must be entered on a PHS 7044-1 form and returned with your PHU.

  If you BMI is under 19.0 kg/m² and you do not already have a weight standards waiver, your provider must include a statement in your PHU documenting if you have you any medical or mental health issues contributing to your low weight. If possible, historic weights from your medical record should be included, as well.

  Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, my healthcare provider is not scheduling in-person PHUs. However, my healthcare provider is able to complete a virtual PHU, is that acceptable?

  For 2021 only, if, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, your healthcare provider is not scheduling in-person appointments, you can complete your PHU by doing the following:

  • Complete your DD-2807-1 “Report of Medical History” and your PHS-7083, “Behavioral Health Survey”
  • Send these documents to your healthcare provider before your appointment.
  • Ask your healthcare provider to review these documents, add additional information, if necessary, sign both documents, and return them to you for your submission.
  • Indicate on the 2021 PHU Submission Checklist what you are submitting and that form must be signed and submitted with your PHU.

  What is the Behavioral Health Survey? Why is it included in the PHU?

  PHS-7083, “Behavioral Health Survey” contains four screening surveys that can help identify signs of possible alcohol abuse, depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder. Similar surveys are being used by the military services.

  The Behavioral Health Survey serves two important purposes: (1) The survey helps your healthcare provider assess your mental well-being and (2) The survey provides a baseline survey for comparison with future post-deployment surveys.

  Why has the form for my dental examination changed?

  The DD-2813, “DoD Active Duty/Reserve/Guard/Civilian Forces Dental Examination” form is much simpler than the PHS-6355 and more appropriate to use for an annual dental examination.

  Can I submit my dental examination on the PHS-6355?

  If you already have a record of your dental examination on a PHS-6355 form, you can submit that form. All new dental examinations must be completed using the DD-2813 form.

  Do I have to get my dental examination during my birth month period?

  That would be ideal, but Medical Affairs Branch (MAB) will accept a dental examination done up to six months prior to your birth month (with the caveat noted in question 11).

  What do I do if I have been unable to schedule an appointment with my dentist within the last six months due to the COVID-19 pandemic?

  For 2021 only, MAB will accept a completed form DD-2318 based on a dental examination within one year of your birth month in 2021. If you have not seen a dentist within one year of your birth month due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you are not required to submit a dental examination as part of your 2021 PHU. Be certain to complete and sign the 2021 PHU Submission Checklist and indicate the dental examination, if any, that you are submitting.

  What is the 2021 PHU Submission Checklist?

  The 2021 PHU Submission Checklist is a form that allows you to document what you are submitting in your PHU package. For example, if you were only able to get a “virtual” physical examination, you need to document that on the form so MAB will not reject your submission as incomplete. You must sign the form to attest to what documents you are or are not submitting and why.

  What do I need to do prior to seeing my healthcare provider for a PHU and what do I need to bring to my appointment?

  Complete the DD-2807-1, “Report of Medical History”. Also, complete the PHS-7083, “Behavioral Health Survey” as close to your medical appointment as possible. Print both documents as well as a DD-2808, “Report of Medical Examination,” and “the PHU Instructions for Healthcare providers.” At the time of your appointment, give all four documents to your healthcare provider.

  If you are required to get regular LTBI screening by your duty station, you must comply with that requirement and you should send the results to MAB by uploading them through the eDOC-U application.

  What testing is required?

  You should get a health screening examination and/or testing (e.g. cervical, breast, colorectal cancer screening) as recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). The only mandatory tests are your vital signs (e.g, blood pressure, pulse, etc.), weight/height, and, if necessary, “taping” to determine estimated percent body fat. Additional testing is based on the recommendations of your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider should follow up on your current active health conditions or risks as clinically indicated.

  Do I have to complete required USPSTF recommended screening during my birth month period?

  You should be on a regular schedule for your screenings based on the recommendations of USPSTF and your healthcare provider. Remain on that schedule and do not delay screening or get screening too early just to align with your PHU. When submitting your PHU, please include the report(s) of your last completed screening test(s) or examination.

  Has the retirement physical examination changed as well?

  No. Retirement physical examinations are strongly recommended, but they are not mandatory. Their use is to document the status of all health conditions that you may have developed while in service. As such, if you want to complete a retirement examination, ask your provider to complete the DD-2808. Retirement physicals should be uploaded through the Medical Section of eDOC-U using the document name, Periodic Health Update .

  How do I submit my PHU?

  All components of the PHU (Medical History, Physical Examination, Behavioral Health Survey, Dental Examination, additional testing, disclosure form, and the 2021 PHU Submission Checklist) must be scanned into a single PDF file and uploaded through the Medical section of eDOC-U using the document name, “Periodic Health Update.” If your upload is rejected, consider scanning your documents at a lower resolution (200 dpi) to decrease the file size.

  In addition to the PHU, are there any other changes in the medical readiness requirements?

  Yes. Screening for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) (e.g. PPD, QuantiFERON-TB Gold, T-SPOT.TB) is no longer a readiness requirement or an annual requirement. All applicants to the USPHS Commissioned Corps will have screening for LTBI during the medical clearance process at accession. It is expected, however, that if you deploy where there is a significant tuberculosis infection risk that you will be screening for LTBI after the deployment and submit the results to MAB.

  If you are required to get regular LTBI screening by your duty station, you must comply with that requirement and you should send the results to MAB by uploading your documentation to the eDOC-U using the document name, “Immunizations/Other.”
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