The Military Health System is made up of organizations and entities responsible for providing health care to service members, retirees, and their families. These elements include:
Office of the Assistant Secretary of War for Health Affairs
The Office of the Assistant Secretary of War for Health Affairs leads the Military Health System. The ASW(HA) is a civilian, Senate-confirmed official who serves as the chief medical adviser to the Secretary of War. The ASW(HA) oversees health policy and budgeting across the system and directs the activities of the Defense Health Agency. The ASW(HA) is supported by the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Health Affairs and three Deputy Assistant Secretaries of War.
Office of Health Resources Management & Policy
The Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Health Resources Management & Policy is responsible for providing cost-effective, quality health benefits to 9.5 million beneficiaries. They include active-duty uniformed service members, retirees, survivors, and their families. The ASW(HRM&P) manages the almost $50 billion annual budget of the MHS which includes a worldwide network of 50+ military hospitals and 350+ health clinics. Learn more about ASW(HRM&P).
Office of Health Readiness Policy & Oversight
The Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Health Readiness Policy & Oversight is the principal advisor to the ASW(HA) for all DOW medically related readiness policies, programs, and activities. The ASW(HRP&O) is responsible for force health protection, global health engagement, U.S. military assistance in global pandemics containment, international health agreements, deployment related health policy, joint theater-of-operations information systems, humanitarian and health missions, and national disaster support. Learn more about ASW(HRP&O).
Office of Health Services Policy & Oversight
The Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Health Services Policy & Oversight leads policy creation and program oversight of the Military Health System clinical policies and programs. It provides medical information, advice, and consultation to Congress, senior defense officials, and other government agencies and stakeholders. The ASW(HSP&O) works with the services, the Defense Health Agency, and across the DOW to ensure those in uniform are medically ready to deploy anywhere around the globe and military medical professionals are ready to deploy with them. Learn more about ASW(HSP&O).
Joint Staff Surgeon
The Joint Staff Surgeon is the chief medical adviser to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, advising the Chairman, the Joint Staff, and the combatant commanders on all health-related matters. The JSS coordinates all issues related to health services including operational medicine, force health protection, and readiness for the combatant commands, the Office of the Secretary of War, and the services. Learn more about the Joint Staff Surgeon.
Defense Health Agency
The Defense Health Agency is an integrated Combat Support Agency. It enables the Army, Navy, and Air Force medical services to provide a medically ready force and ready medical force in peacetime and wartime. DHA manages the TRICARE health plan, oversees the Department of Defense's electronic health record, MHS GENESIS, and provides healthcare services through a global network of over 700 military hospitals, clinics, and dental and veterinary treatment facilities. Learn more about DHA.
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences is the nation’s federal health professions academy — akin to the undergraduate programs of the U.S. military academies at West Point, Annapolis, and Colorado Springs. Like the academies, students are not charged tuition; they repay the nation for their education through service. USUHS’s curricula and educational experiences are like those of civilian academic health centers, with one important difference: its emphasis on military health care, leadership, readiness, and public health sets USUHS apart, preparing graduates for unique challenges within the MHS. Learn more about USUHS.
Air Force Medical Service
The Air Force Medical Service is the medical arm of the U.S. Air Force and Space Force. AFMS delivers health care and readiness support to over 200,000 Airmen, Guardians, and 2.6 million beneficiaries worldwide. AFMS works to deploy expeditionary medics, create medically ready forces, and improve the health of the Air Force community. Learn more about AFMS.
Army Medical Command
Army Medical Command is the medical arm of the U.S. Army. MEDCOM provides health services support and force health protection to nearly one million soldiers and their families within the Army community. MEDCOM healthcare providers, including dental, medical, nursing, and veterinary corps, deliver care and readiness support globally. Learn more about Army Medicine.
Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery
The U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery is the medical arm of the U.S. Navy. BUMED oversees the development and implementation of healthcare policies and practices within the Navy, working with other services and the DHA. BUMED providers deliver care and support to over 400,000 sailors and their families at military hospitals, clinics, and aboard ships and submarines worldwide. Learn more about Navy Medicine.
Office of the Joint Surgeon, National Guard Bureau
The National Guard Bureau Joint Surgeon’s Office develops, coordinates, and implements National Guard medical policies, procedures, and operations supporting over 430,000 National Guard members. As part of the Chief of the National Guard Bureau's Special Staff, the NGB Joint Surgeon's Office works with the DHA and the military services to ensure National Guard members, and their families receive high-quality health care. Learn more about the NGB Joint Surgeon's Office.