R 051755Z MAY 22
MARADMIN 233/22
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC MRA DAG SECT WASHINGTON DC//
SUBJ/ANNOUNCEMENT OF CONSOLIDATION OF SELECTED MARINE CORPS RESERVE, INDIVIDUAL MOBILIZATION AUGMENTEE, AND INDIVIDUAL READY RESERVE MARINES RETAINED ON ACTIVE DUTY FOR MEDICAL HOLD ORDERS//
REF/A/MSGID: CONGRESS//
REF/B/MSGID: DOC/DODI/20160419//
REF/C/MSGID: DOC/SECNAV/20180823//
NARR/REFERENCE (A) IS TITLE 10, U.S.C. REFERENCE (B) IS DODI 1241.01, RESERVE COMPONENT (RC) LINE OF DUTY DETERMINATION FOR MEDICAL AND DENTAL TREATMENTS AND INCAPACITATION PAY ENTITLEMENTS. REFERENCE (C) IS SECNAVINST 1770.5, MANAGEMENT AND DISPOSITION OF LINE OF DUTY BENEFITS FOR MEMBERS OF THE NAVY AND MARINE CORPS RESERVE//
POC/BRADEN, N./LTCOL/RESERVE INTEGRATION OFFICER/WWR/TEL: 703-784-1868/DSN 278-1868/EMAIL: NATHAN.BRADEN@USMC.MIL//
POC/BROKAW, M./CIV/PROGRAM MANAGER/WWR/TEL: 703-432-1868/DSN 278-1868/EMAIL: MARK.T.BROKAW@USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  Purpose.  To announce the consolidation of Selected Marine Corps Reserve, Individual Mobilization Augmentee, and Individual Ready Reserve (SMCR/IMA/IRR) Marines executing Medical Hold (MEDHOLD) orders at Wounded Warrior Battalion-East (WWBn-East) Headquarters, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and to provide interim guidance regarding policies and administrative procedures for SMCR/IMA/IRR Marines who incur or aggravate an injury, illness or disease while in a qualified duty status who elect to remain in a MEDHOLD status beyond the expiration of their authorized duty period to obtain medical treatment.
2.  Background.  Per reference (a), when authorized by the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of a military department may, with the consent of the member, order a member of an RC to active duty to:  receive authorized medical care, be medically evaluated for disability or other purposes, or complete a required Department of Defense health care study (which may include an associated medical evaluation of the member).  Per reference (b), when an RC service member is on active duty for a period of more than 30 days and, at the scheduled end of that period, has an unresolved Line of Duty (LOD) condition that may render the member unfit for duty under the Disability Evaluation System (DES), but this has not yet been determined by the DES, the member will, with their consent, be retained on active duty until outstanding LOD conditions are resolved, or they are either found fit for duty or separated or retired as a result of a DES finding.  Alternately, the member may elect to be released from active duty before resolution of the LOD conditions or completion of the DES process and request LOD benefits via the Marine Corps Medical Entitlements Data System (MCMEDS).
3.  Action.
3.a.  Once eligibility has been determined, the service member may request MEDHOLD orders.  The mere existence of an illness, injury, or disease does not necessarily qualify a service member for MEDHOLD.  The condition must be deemed to be potentially unfitting.
3.b.  If approved for an extension on active duty, the service member will be issued voluntary recall MEDHOLD orders and placed in a MEDHOLD status.
3.c.  The Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs (DC MRA) has management and oversight authority for all Marine Corps RC service members in a MEDHOLD status.
3.d.  The Commanding Officer, Wounded Warrior Regiment, (CO, WWR), manages the Reserve Medical Entitlements Determination (RMED) Program for the Marine Corps on behalf of DC MRA.  The RMED Program, WWR, is the sole authority for determining and authorizing MEDHOLD and LOD medical and/or dental treatment benefits.
4.  MEDHOLD Consolidation.  In Calendar Year 2021, the Marine Corps began consolidating all SMCR/IMA/IRR Marines initiating a request for MEDHOLD at WWBn-East Headquarters aboard MCB Camp Lejeune via Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders in order to achieve the following:
4.a.  Increase uniformity in the execution of MEDHOLD across the Marine Corps.
4.b.  Increase accountability of Marines in MEDHOLD status.
4.c.  Increase access to care via Military Treatment Facility.
4.d.  Increase efficiency in the management of care.
4.e.  Reduce administrative burden on active duty commands.
4.f.  Increase potential for faster case resolution via return to full duty or DES completion.
5.  Criteria and Eligibility.
5.a.  All SMCR/IMA/IRR Marines electing and approved for initial MEDHOLD orders will be issued PCS orders to WWBn-East Headquarters, MCB Camp Lejeune.  Only by exception and with prior approval from WWR, RMED, may a member remain or return to the Home Training Center (HTC) or primary residence while on MEDHOLD orders.  This will only be allowed under the most extenuating of circumstances.
5.b.  Per reference (c), MEDHOLD is a voluntary medical treatment program for RC service members with the sole purpose of addressing medical conditions incurred or aggravated while in the line of duty.
5.c.  The service member’s medical record must contain evidence that a condition was identified and documented while the member was in a qualifying duty status.
6.  Exceptions.  In the following circumstances, SMCR/IMA/IRR Marines may be authorized MEDHOLD status and not be issued PCS orders to WWBn-East Headquarters, MCB Camp Lejeune:
6.a.  Member’s request for MEDHOLD is for 89 days or fewer.
6.b.  A compelling medical reason (unique medical condition or availability of specialty treatment), as determined by the WWR, RMED Senior Medical Officer (SMO).
7.  Appeal process.  Appeals to the policy established in this MARADMIN may be submitted in writing to Assistant Deputy Commandant, Manpower & Reserve Affairs, (ADC, MRA) via CO, WWR.  As MEDHOLD is a voluntary period of active duty with the sole purpose of addressing the service member’s medical condition(s), requests for exception to policy for personal or administrative reasons will not receive favorable consideration.
8.  Additional information.
8.a.  Members may voluntarily request to be released from MEDHOLD and receive care via LOD benefits at any time.  Members who decline MEDHOLD in order to request LOD medical care, or members who decline LOD medical benefits completely, must receive appropriate counseling to include Page 11 entries to their Official Military Personnel File.  Appropriate Page 11 templates are available under the Forms tab in MCMEDS.
8.b.  Amplifying guidance on policies and administrative procedures for SMCR/IMA/IRR Marines who incur or aggravate an injury, illness, or disease while in a qualified duty status will be detailed in a forthcoming Marine Corps Order.  Publication is anticipated in Summer 2022.
9.  This MARADMIN is applicable to the SMCR/IMA/IRR categories of the Reserve Component.  This MARADMIN is not applicable to members of the Active Reserve.
10.  Release authorized by LtGen D. A. Ottignon, Deputy Commandant, Manpower and Reserve Affairs.//