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Military Health System Health Care Glossary serves as the official repository and consolidated reference (as a secondary source) for terms and definitions used within the MHS. Some terms may have multiple and varying definitions based on the context and primary source of authority. Note that certain definitions may be approved only for limited use in a single primary reference document, while others may have broad applicability in multiple contexts and issuances. To determine the most appropriate definition in a particular context, consult all relevant source documents. Any disparities between this Glossary and primary sources are unintentional, and the primary source shall control.
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A Service member has completed the medical care identified or approved by a military medical provider in a documented medical treatment plan as necessary to achieve stability in the self-identified gender.
The gender with which an individual identifies.
The phase in the gender transition process during which the individual begins living socially in the gender role consistent with their self-identified gender. RLE may or may not be preceded by the commencement of cross-sex hormone therapy, depending on the medical treatment associated with the individual Service member, cadet, or midshipman’s gender...
The absence of clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning associated with a marked incongruence between an individual’s experienced or expressed gender and the individual’s biological sex. Continuing medical care including, but not limited to, cross sex hormone therapy may be ...
A marked incongruence between one’s experienced or expressed gender and assigned gender of at least six months’ duration, as manifested by conditions specified in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: Fifth Edition (DSM-5), page 452, which is associated with clinically significant d...
Any military, government service, or contract civilian health care professional who, in accordance with regulations of a military department or DHA, is credentialed and granted clinical practice privileges to provide health care services within the provider’s scope of practice in a Military Treatment Facility.
A program established by the Secretary of the Army to provide a personnel accounting category for members of the Army Selected Reserve to be used for categorizing members of the Selected Reserve who have not completed the minimum training required for deployment or who are otherwise not available for deployment.
The care required to diagnose and treat problems that are not life or limb threatening or that do not require immediate attention.
The use of feminizing hormones in an individual assigned male at birth based on traditional biological indicators or the use of masculinizing hormones in an individual assigned female at birth. A common medical treatment associated with gender transition.
Data element in DEERS that identifies a service member’s gender. Service members are expected to adhere to all military standards associated with their gender marker in DEERS and use military berthing, bathroom, and shower facilities in accordance with the DEERS gender marker.
Information that can be used to distinguish or trace an individual’s identity, either alone or when combined with other information that is linked or linkable to a specific individual. Defined in OMB Circular No. A-130.
Service-level cell of experts created to provide multi-disciplinary (e.g., medical, legal) advice and assistance to commanders regarding service by transgender Service members, cadets, or midshipmen and gender transition in the military.
Individually identifiable health information (as defined in the HIPAA Privacy Rule) that, except as provided in this issuance, is transmitted or maintained by electronic or any other form or medium. PHI excludes individually identifiable health information in employment records held by a DOD covered entity in its role as employer. Information that has bee...
Service member who has received a medical diagnosis indicating that gender transition is medically necessary, including any Service member who intends to begin transition, is undergoing transition, or has completed transition and is stable in the self identified gender.
A plan made annually by each Military Department listing the number and types of each specialty of physician to be trained.
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