(a) NATO SOFA nations. Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Federal Republic of Germany, France, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
(b) Beneficiaries. The following personnel are beneficiaries under the conditions set forth.
(1) Members of NATO military services and their dependents. Military personnel of NATO nations, who, in connection with their official duties, are stationed in or passing through the United States, and their dependents residing in the United States with the sponsor may be provided care in naval MTFs to the same extent and under the same conditions as comparable U.S. uniformed services personnel and their dependents. Accordingly, the provisions of Sec. 728.12 are applicable to military personnel and Sec. 728.31(d) through Sec. 728.34 to accompanying dependents.
(2) Military ships and aircraft personnel. Crew and passengers of visiting military aircraft and crews of ships of NATO nations which land or come into port at NATO or U.S. military airfields or ports within NATO countries.
(3) NATO liaison officers. In overseas areas, liaison officers from NATO Army Forces or members of a liaison detachment from such a Force.
(c) Application for care. Military personnel of NATO nations stationed in the United States and their dependents will present valid Uniformed Services Identification and Privilege Cards (DD 1173) when applying for care. For other eligible persons passing through the United States on official business and those enumerated in paragraph (b) (2) and (3) of this section, orders or other official identification may be accepted in lieu of the DD 1173.
(d) Disposition. When it becomes necessary to return individuals to their home country for medical reasons, make immediate notification to the NATO unit sponsoring the member or dependent's sponsor. Include all pertinent information regarding the physical and mental condition of the individual concerned. Following are details of agreements among the Armed Forces of NATO, CENTO, and SEATO Nations on procedures for disposition of allied country patients by DOD medical installations.
(1) Transfer of patients. (i) The patient's medical welfare must be the paramount consideration. When deciding upon transfer of a patient, give due consideration to any increased medical hazard which the transfer might involve.
(i) The patient's medical welfare must be the paramount consideration. When deciding upon transfer of a patient, give due consideration to any increased medical hazard which the transfer might involve.
(ii) Arrangements for disposition of patients should be capable of being implemented by existing organizations. Consequently, no new establishment should be required specially for dealing with the transferring of allied casualties.
(iii) Transfer patients to their own national organization at the earliest practicable opportunity consistent with the observance of principles established in paragraph (d)(1) (i) and (ii) of this section and under any of the following conditions:
(A) When a medical facility of their own nation is within reasonable proximity of the facility of the holding nation.
(B) When the patient is determined to require hospitalization in excess of 30 days.
(C) Where there is any question as to the ability of the patient to perform duty upon release from the MTF.
(iv) The decision as to whether a patient, other than one requiring transfer under paragraph (d)(1)(iii) of this section, is fit for release from the MTF is the responsibility of the facility's commanding officer.
(v) All clinical documents, to include x-rays, relating to the patient will accompany such patients on transfer to their own national organization.
(vi) The decision of suitability for transfer and the arrangements for transfer will be the responsibility of the holding nation.
(vii) Final transfer channels should be arranged by local liaison before actual movement.
(viii) Patients not suitable for transfer to their own national organization must be dealt with for treatment and disposition purposes as patients of the holding nation until they are transferred, i.e., they will be dealt with in military hospitals, military medical installations, or in civilian hospitals that are part of the military medical evacuation system of the holding nation.
(2) Classification of patients. Different channels for disposition will be required for the following two types of patients:
(i) Patients not requiring admission. Patients not requiring admission to an MTF will be returned to their nearest national unit under arrangements to be made locally.
(ii) Patients admitted to medical installations. All such patients will be dealth with per paragraph (d)(1) of this section.
(e) Care authorized outside the 48 contiguous United States. Major overseas commanders may authorize care in naval MTFs subject to the availability of space, facilities, and the capabilities of the professional staff in emergency situations only, Provided, the required care cannot reasonably be obtained in medical facilities of the host country or in facilities of the patient's own country, or if such facilities are inadequate. Provide hospitalization only for acute medical and surgical conditions, exclusive of nervous, mental, or contagious diseases or those requiring domiciliary care. Administer dental treatment only as an adjunct to authorized inpatient care. Do not include dental prostheses or orthodontia.