Frequently Asked Questions

Here you can find some of our most popular questions.  If you don't find the answer to what you are looking for, please give us a call!

1.  How do I make an appointment?

    All appointments must be scheduled through the TRICARE Appointment System at 1-800-404-4506.  If TRICARE cannot schedule the appointment, they will contact the Physical Exams section.      

    There are a couple of exceptions to the TRICARE appointing policy: 
        1.  Units:  Please DO NOT send Soldiers needing a chapter physical to the clinic as walk-ins.  Please call and schedule an appointment through TRICARE.  If there is a time requirement, please call the Physical Exams section at 966-1991 Option 5 and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.
        2.  ROTC/Academy Physicals, Remedial Exams, and Peace Corps Physicals:  Please call the Physical Exams section directly to schedule your appointment.
        3.  Units that have their own Troop Medical Clinic staffed by a provider must complete their routine physicals at their clinics, i.e. TMC #6, TMC #13.  However, if a Soldier is eligible for VA Retirement Pre-Separation Physical, they make their appointment with Physical Exams through TRICARE.

2.  What happens after I schedule an appointment?    

    After TRICARE schedules for the appropriate type of physical, they will tell the Soldier to report to the Okubo Clinic Lab 2-3 days prior to the schedule appointment date to have labs drawn and to pick up the packet of physical forms.  Labs are always done on a walk-in basis, there is no appointment necessary.  (For hours, please see the Okubo Hours and Directions page.)  The Soldiers will be told to fast if appropriate and complete a chest-x-ray if applicable.  All labs and forms in the packet must be completed prior to reporting for the appointment. 

    If the requirements are not completed, the Soldier will be asked to reschedule the appointment!  There is not enough time for the Soldier to do all of this on the day of the appointment.  The provider needs to have the lab results available to address any abnormal findings with the Soldier. 

    NOTE:  There is only one exception to the timing of the lab draw requirement -- If the Soldier is coming from another state or a long distance (over an hour away), they can complete their labs and forms the same day as the appointment.  The Soldier needs to report at least an hour prior to the appointment time in order to complete all the requirements and paperwork.

3.  What is the uniform for a physical?

    All Soldiers must be in PT Uniform for the appointment.

4.  How often do I need a Physical?

    According to AR 40-501 (Chapter 8-19), a periodic medical examination is required for all officers, warrant officers, and enlisted personnel in the Army regardless of component.  Every soldier on active duty will have a periodic examination on record no older than 5 years beginning at age 30. 

    Military medical exams conducted for purposes other than the periodic exam may be used to comply with the periodic exam requirement.  If the exam is not within the prescribed scope of a periodic exam in accordance with chapter 8-19, only those tests and procedures needed to meet the additional requirements need to be accomplished and results recorded.

    All General Officers (brigadier general and above) on active duty and all active duty soldiers age 60 or older will undergo an annual medical examination.  Special Forces and Ranger combat divers and MOS 00B divers must have an examination every three years.  The examination for MFF parachutists must be performed every 5 years in conjunction with physiologic training.

    NOTE:  Soldiers going to BNOC/ANOC do not need a “new” physical.  When the instructions say personnel need a “current” physical it means the Soldier needs to be current according to the physical regulations.  If the Soldier is due for their periodic physical and haven’t done it, then it would need to be completed before going to school.  For example:  If the Soldier is 28, they don’t need a new physical.  If the Soldier is 33 and has a completed periodic physical on file, they don’t need a new physical.

5.  What is the difference between a VA Pre-Separation and regular Retirement Physical?

A.  VA Pre-Separation Physical and Claim:  This is an expedient program for the soldier to complete their Retirement Physical and claim prior to their Retirement (Part I with Physical Exams & Part II with QTC Provider through VA) and to receive their disability award (if eligible) within approximately 1-2 months after they retire instead of the soldier completing the entire physical with Physical Exams and then filing the claim afterwards.

    Requirements needed to be eligible for VA-Pre-Separation Physical & Claim:
        1.  Soldier must have 180-90 days remaining on active duty and staying in the area until retirement date.
        2.  Soldier must be living in these particular counties in WA:  Clallam, Chelan, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Kittitas, King, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Pierce, San Juan , Thurston, Whatcom.
        3.  Soldier must be filing a claim with the VA.

    Soldier calls TRICARE to request a Retirement Physical.  The scheduler will ask them the above three questions.  If they answer YES to all three questions they will be scheduled for Part I of their physical with the Physical Exams Section.  

    Part I:
        1.  Two to three days prior to appointment, the Soldier has labs drawn and is given packet of forms at the Okubo Clinic lab.  They must also complete a Chest X-Ray at Okubo Radiology.
        2.  On day of appointment Soldier will be seen by a medic (only) who will complete their vital signs (height, weight, blood pressure), eye exam, audiology exam and EKG.  They will pull lab & chest x-ray results and review with Soldier informing them of any abnormal results and instructing Soldier to follow-up with their primary care provider.
        3.  Soldier will be given a courtesy copy of all results and History Form (DD Form 2807-1) and instructed to take these to Waller Hall (Rm 700) to file a claim with the VA.  The Original Physical Packet will stay in the Physical Exam Section until completion of Part II. 

    Part II:
        1.  The VA will file the soldier’s claim and schedule the soldier with Part II of the Physical with a QTC Provider.
        2.  Approximately one month after the Part II is completed, the soldier returns to Waller Hall to pick up a copy of the VA Exam Report.
      3.    The soldier brings the VA Exam Report back to Physical Exams to be joined with the Part I, reviewed and signed off by the Chief, Physical Exams.
        4.  The soldier is given the original & copy of the completed physical.  The original is then turned into the Transition Center (with the soldiers Medical Record) at which time the soldier will receive the original DD 214.  

B.  Retirement Physical:  If the soldier does not meet the eligibility requirements for VA Pre-Separation Physical, then they must complete their physical exam in the same manner as any other physical filing their claim at a later date with the VA.

6.  Can I complete my labs at Madigan?

    All labs must be completed at Okubo Clinic 2-3 days prior to the appointment (see one exception above).  This is necessary in order for the Soldier to pick up the packet of forms to complete.  Sometimes the labs are not entered until the Soldier gets to the lab, in which case the lab tech’s at Madigan would not know what labs to enter and what provider’s name to order them under.

7.  Can I do my Physical at Madigan?  What happens if TRICARE schedules me incorrectly with my provider at Madigan?

    All Physical Exams must be completed at Okubo Clinic Physical Exams.  If the TRICARE scheduler says the appointment is at Madigan and they tell you to do your labs at Madigan, please inform them that according to the instructions on the website that the appointment needs to be scheduled at Okubo.

8.  What happens to my original physical after it is completed?

    The original physical exam paperwork is sent through distribution to the appropriate records room to be placed in the Soldier’s medical record.  If the medical record is kept at the Soldier’s unit, then the soldier must make arrangements to pick up the original to hand carry back to the unit aid station or TMC.  If the soldiers is from out of town or has other circumstances, the physical will be mailed to a home or unit address.  

    Chapter Physicals:  Two copies of the completed physical are left at Okubo Clinic front reception desk and must be picked up within two days after the exam by a designated person from the units. 

    Retirement Physicals:  The original and a copy of the physical will be mailed directly to the Soldier’s home address.  Arrangements can also be made for pick-up.

9.  How does my Physical information get into my AKO account?

    All Physical exam information will be entered into the MODS program as soon as the physical is completed and signed off.  This update should show up on the AKO Account within 24 hours.

10.  Do I have to do PT (Physical Training) after I complete my Retirement or ETS Physical?

    Yes!  Unless the Soldier has a profile with limitations, everyone must continue to participate in PT.  There is no regulation to defer from this.