Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Federal agencies and components are required to make records available to the public unless one of nine (9) specific exemptions authorizes their withholding.
Before filing a FOIA request with DHA, please visit the DHA Electronic FOIA Library to ensure we have not already proactively released the records you are requesting.
How to Submit a FOIA Request:
DHA’s preferred method of receiving FOIA requests is through the National FOIA portal at www.foia.gov, which provides customized forms for each agency. The site will also provide insight into the FOIA process including what to do before submitting a FOIA request, how to submit a request, and what happens after submitting a request.
All proper FOIA requests must: 1) Be submitted in writing, 2) Include a full name and contact method (i.e. Email address, phone number, and/or mailing address), 3) Reasonably describe the records sought, and 4) State a willingness to pay fees.
Methods for Submitting FOIA Requests to DHA:
How to Submit a Request for Medical Records:
First-Party Requests (Beneficiaries requesting their own records)
- The request must be submitted in writing and proof of identify is required
(i.e. Copy of an official Government-issued photo I.D.)
- Requests for medical file records and amendments to medical files should be submitted directly to the Military Treatment Facilities, as DHA is not in possession of those records
- First-party requests for TRICARE medical records, from 1985 to present, should be submitted in writing to the above address and must include:
- Copy of official Government-issued photo identification
- Beneficiary full name and date of birth (if requester is not the Military Sponsor)
- Sponsor’s full name, social security number and date of birth
- Date range of records sought
- Contact information (Mailing address, Telephone Number and Email Address)
- Requests for TRICARE records prior to 1985 and other archived medical records should be sent to the National Archives
Third-Party Requests (Another person/entity requesting records on behalf of the beneficiary)
- All third-party requests for medical records (both TRICARE records and medical files) must be submitted in writing to:
Defense Health Agency
Attn: General Law Division (FOIA)
16401 East Centretech Parkway
Aurora, CO 80011-9066
- If you are an attorney or legal services firm, the request must also include a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliant authorization form (known as DD2870), completed and signed by the beneficiary.
- Additionally, the beneficiary must stipulate whether or not Sensitive Diagnosis Codes (SDC) should be released. The request must include a separate form or statement completed by the beneficiary authorizing which individual category of SDC information can be released. If requesting all categories, each SDC must be individually stated. In general, SDC categories include: mental health; drug and/or alcohol abuse; HIV/AIDS; and sexually transmitted diseases (STD).
- All third-party requests for medical records will be processed solely under the FOIA