Medical Employment Classification Review Board
Medical Employment Classification Review Board
MECRB Section is responsible for the conduct of medical employment classification review boards.
Quick Reference Guides for Units -
MECRB Process Guide and FAQ's Training Medical Waivers (TMW) Process MECRB PROCESS
All soldiers are periodically medically assessed as a requirement to meet the minimum PULHEEMS profile for deployability within their trade or employment category. If a soldier's Medical Employment Classification (MEC) is downgraded, their continued service and employment within the ADF may be reviewed by the MECRB in the following circumstances:
| MEC 401 - 403 |
If classified as MEC 4, the medical centre (unit RAP) will collect all relevant paperwork, including a Member's Health Statement (MHS), Workplace Disability Report (WDR) and Consent to Release Medical Information, and forward it to Joint Health Support Agency (JHSA) with Central Medical Employment Classification Review (CMECR) documentation. The Health Directive 236 provides guidance on compiling the MHS and WDR. |
| MEC 301 - 302 |
For all soldiers who have been MEC 3 for longer than 12 months, the medical centre (unit RAP) will collect all relevant paperwork, including a Member's Health Statement (MHS), Workplace Disability Report (WDR) and Consent to Release Medical Information, and forward it to Joint Health Support Agency (JHSA) with Central Medical Employment Classification Review (CMECR) documentation. The Health Directive 236 provides guidance on compiling the MHS and WDR. |
| MEC 304 |
For all soldiers who have been MEC 304 for longer than 6 months, the medical centre (unit RAP) will collect all relevant paperwork, including a Member's Health Statement (MHS), Workplace Disability Report (WDR) and Consent to Release Medical Information, and forward it to Joint Health Support Agency (JHSA) with Central Medical Employment Classification Review (CMECR) documentation. The Health Directive 236 provides guidance on compiling the MHS and WDR. |
| MEC 205 |
For all soldiers who have been MEC 205 for longer than 24 months, the medical centre (unit RAP) will collect all relevant paperwork, including a Member's Health Statement (MHS), Workplace Disability Report (WDR) and Consent to Release Medical Information, and forward it to Joint Health Support Agency (JHSA) with Central Medical Employment Classification Review (CMECR) documentation. The Health Directive 236 provides guidance on compiling the MHS and WDR. |
CMECR TO JHSA
Once the unit has submitted the CMECR documents to JHSA. JHSA review the soldier's medical documentation and provide the MECRB with a written MECRB record summary. This summary looks at a soldier's medical history and details the member's health care requirements, prognosis and the effect of the soldier's medical condition on their ability to carry out primary and general service duties. The JHSA summary provides medical guidance to the MECRB when considering the member's medical condition/s.
MECRB PANEL
The MECRB is a review conducted by an expert panel to assess a soldier's suitability for continued service within the limitations of their medical condition. The MECRB draws upon the advice of experienced career managers, trade experts and medical practitioners. The Directorate of Entitlements is represented and provides advice on matters of compensation, superannuation and resettlement.
MECRB DETERMINATION
There are several outcomes that may be determined by the MECRB.
Outcomes range from reclassification of the soldier to another MEC class, reallocation to another Corps and/or trade if medically fit for that ECN, or granting of a waiver for a specific timeframe if it is deemed the member possesses a critical skill(CSW) and their medical limitations can be managed in the short term.
Finally, where the continued service is not in the medical interests of the soldier, the MECRB will determine that the soldier is MEC 40X and state that there is evidence present for a Termination Notice (TN) under DPR 87(1)(c) as 'Medically Unfit'.
After the MECRB has been completed, the president of the MECRB advises the member and the member's Commanding Officer in writing of their decision, including any waivers, restrictions or upgrades to the member's MEC. The soldier is to sign and return the acknowledgement form to the MECRB cell at SCMA.
If the decision is that the member is non-deployable and non-employable (MEC 40X), the relevant Delegate at SCMA will issue the soldier with a TN.
Statement of Reasons:The soldier then has 28 days to contest the TN by compiling a statement of reasons (SOR). Should the soldier decide to submit a SOR and subsequently require an extension to the 28 days for submission, then the approving authority is the SCMA delegate that issued the TN.
Note:The soldier should then contact their local Department of Veteran Affairs Transition Management Service (TMS) representative for advice regarding their discharge entitlements, regardless of whether they are contesting their TN.
DECISION ON TERMINATION NOTICE
Once a soldier has acknowledged the TN and faxed it back to SCMA. The TN is then considered by the SCMA Delegate. If it is determined that the member's service is to be terminated, then a discharge date is set and SCMA will forward a the Decision letter and a Statement of Reasons (SOR) explaining how the Delegate came to his/her decision to the member's CO and the member. At this stage, the member is required to sign the acknowledgment form stating a preferred date of discharge, not longer than three months.
In the case where a soldier submits a SOR and it is unsuccessful, they may elect in accordance with DI(G) PERS 34-1 to submit an Redress of Grievance (ROG) to their CO. The processing of ROGs is not to interfere with a soldier continuing their discharge administration.
Note: It is imperative that members who have been given a Discharge Date conduct a Separation Health Examination(SHE) as soon as possible. If this action is not completed and returned to SCMA within two weeks of discharge it may be detrimental to their future medical management.
REQUESTS FOR AN EXTENSION TO DISCHARGE DATE ON MEDICAL GROUNDS
When a Termination Decision is made as a result of MECRB action the soldier will be issued with a Decision letter that specifies a separation date. If the member wishes to request an extension of that date he/she must submit, in writing, a formal request to the Delegate for consideration.
SEPARATION FROM THE ARMY
Army has responsibility to ensure all members are medically fit for discharge other than MEC 4 personnel. If the medical condition was caused as a result of Army Service it may be compensational. An extension of discharge date may be granted and can be managed by making various requests, the Delegate will consider the following information:
- Is the requested medical procedure of a critical nature (a life threatening condition like an appendix operation for example) and not a procedure that can occur post separation.
- Is the medical procedure supported by the member's treating MO (preferably a Specialist)?
- Have the appropriate claims for compensation been submitted, and has the member been pro-active in submitting the claims in a timely manner?
- Have the various departments of compensation and rehabilitation accepted liability for the member's medical conditions, and from what date will the commence payments if appropriate?
- Has Defence known about the member's medical condition prior and was it considered at the MECRB?
- Is the time frame of the extension a reasonable time to allow for post operation rehabilitation?
- Has the member's CO provided his/her support to the request via a Minute?
Note:
A member's discharge will not be postponed due to the requirement of post-separation health care that is not of a critical nature. If the member sustains an injury that requires treatment, which will not be completed prior to the discharge date, the Senior Health Officer should grant post-separation health care when confirming the SHE. This is to be recorded on the PM532 SHE and arrangements made to facilitate the required medical management, post-separation.