Health Care Survey of Ill or Injured Service Members available May 1 Published April 26, 2007 WASHINGTON, DC -- A telephone survey of ill or injured Service members who have returned from operational deployment will begin May 1 to examine post-deployment health care experiences. This health care survey is being conducted in response to the Secretary of Defense's request to comprehensively assess the quality of health care Service members receive since returning from operational deployments overseas. Ms. Ellen P. Embrey, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Force Health Protection and Readiness, announced today that the TRICARE Management Activity (Health Programs Analysis and Evaluation) is sponsoring the survey effort. "This will be a timely and effective way to get the feedback the Military Health System needs to better respond to the post-deployment needs of our Service members," she said. Data collected will be used to assess the experience of Service members with their health care services to include access to care, administrative and personnel support, assistance for family members, and the Service member's current health status. The survey also will examine Service members' experience while on medical hold or while waiting for medical boards. Respondent answers will identify key issues relating to Service member access to health care and related benefits and services. Findings will assist in the formulation of policies and programs to improve meeting the needs of ill and injured Service members, including support to family members, as the sponsor goes through the recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration process. Ms. Embrey urges all Service members who have returned from deployment "to use the survey tool to share their experiences about the accessibility, timeliness and quality of health care services they received since returning from deployment. All responses will be kept confidential. If Service members wish to verify the validity of this survey, they may call the toll-free Deployment Health Hotline at 1-800-497-6261 Mondays - Fridays from 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. EDT. The url is http://fhp.osd.mil/healthSurvey.jsp.