DOD Military Health System (MHS)

Date of Publication:

1/22/2014

Definition:

The Department of Defense (DOD) medical and dental programs, personnel, facilities, and other assets of the Military Services operating pursuant to Chapter 55 of Reference Title 10, United States Code by which the DOD provides health care services to the Military Services during military operations and supports the military mission by fostering, protecting, sustaining, and restoring health. It also provides the direction, resources, healthcare providers, and other means necessary for promoting the health of the beneficiary population (e.g., members of the Military Services, their family members, and others entitled to DOD medical care). These include developing and promoting health awareness issues to educate customers, discovering and mitigating environmentally based health threats, providing health services, including preventive care and problem intervention, Multi-Service Markets with enhanced authorities, and improving the means and methods for maintaining the health of the beneficiary population by constantly evaluating the performance of the healthcare services system.