Who’s Eligible? Ensuring Support for Those Who Need It Most
Guests must be either the patient or family of one of the eligible categories below undergoing active medical treatment
| Factor | Eligibility Criteria | Uniformed Service Affiliation | Member of the Armed Services, National Guard, Reserve, United States Coast Guard, United States Public Health Service, Retiree, Veteran and/or their family member and Gold Star Families. DOD or VA Identification required at initial visit. |
|---|---|
| Medical Status | Written verification / referral of active medical treatment plan may be in the form of a referral, letter, or medical appointment reminder from authorized referral agent. |
| Locations | Verified proof of legal residence beyond 50 miles of travel to the local Department of the Air Force Fisher House. |
| Exceptions | All factors are required to stay at the Department of the Air Force Fisher House. The Department of the Air Force Fisher House Manager may approve exceptions to policy for guest eligibility when warranted by unique circumstances. |
- Immediate family member (extended family members such as a grandparent, father-in-law, mother-in-law, uncle, cousin, etc., a person providing the equivalent of family support to the patient, or primary next of kin (PNoK), or appropriate medical attendant) of the patient who is a Reg, Reserve, Guard, Retiree, or Vet undergoing active medical treatment.
- Medical treatment must be at the expense of the government as an authorized beneficiary of medical treatment. Civilians without this military connection are prohibited from staying in a DAFFH.
- Military grade of the guest is not a factor in a guest’s eligibility.
We consider several important factors:
- Medical Condition: Terminal, critical, or serious cases are given priority.
- Financial Need: May receive priority.
- Service Status: Active duty families are prioritized.
Once a family’s eligibility and availability are confirmed, the Fisher House staff will contact you when a room is ready. Each family will be assigned one guest room. If necessary, families can be admitted after business hours with prior arrangements, and in emergency situations, walk-ins may be accommodated by contacting the specific Fisher House Manager. Our goal is to provide a safe and supportive environment for families during challenging times.
| Priority | Status of Medical Condition |
|---|---|
| 1 | Regular Active-Duty Combat Injuries- Family member of an in-patient Active-Duty National Guard and Reserve component service member under treatment for combat or in line of duty and training-related injury/illness. Immediate consideration shall be given to family members of combat casualty or instrumentality of war. |
| 2 | Inpatient Active-Duty/Guard/Reserve - Family member of an inpatient Active-Duty, National Guard, and Reserve component service member under treatment for non-combat injury/illness. |
| 3 | Inpatient Active-Duty/Guard/Reserve Dependent- Family member of an inpatient Active-Duty, National Guard, and Reserve component family member. |
| 4 | Outpatient Active-Duty Guard/Reserve or their Dependent - Active-Duty, National Guard, and Reserve component service member and/or their family member undergoing medically necessary, non-elective outpatient treatment at the Military Treatment Facility (MTF) or local servicing healthcare facility. |
| 5 | Retiree - Retired military and/or their authorized dependent undergoing inpatient or outpatient treatment at the MTF or local servicing healthcare facility. |
| 6 | Veteran - Veteran undergoing inpatient or outpatient treatment at the MTF or local servicing healthcare facility. |
| 7 | Elective Procedure: Active-duty service Members, National Guard, and Reserve component service members and/or their authorized dependents undergo elective outpatient treatment at the MTF or local servicing healthcare facility. (e.g., PRK/Lasik Procedure) |
| The DAFFH Manager may approve exceptions to guest priority based upon the following: financial need; expected length of stay; and availability of private support in the MTF area (e.g. such as friends or family who reside there, personal vehicle). |
