Department of Defense
INSTRUCTION
NUMBER 6025.23
September 16, 2011
Incorporating Change 1, Effective October 2, 2013
USD(P&R)
SUBJECT: Health Care Eligibility Under the Secretarial Designee (SECDES) Program and
Related Special Authorities
References: See Enclosure 1
1. PURPOSE. This Instruction:
a. In accordance with the authority in DoD Directive (DoDD) 5124.02 (Reference (a)),
establishes policy and assigns responsibilities pursuant to section 1074(c) of title 10, United
States Code (U.S.C.) (Reference (b)), for health care eligibility in accordance with the Secretarial
Designee SECDES Program.
b. Implements the requirement of section 2559 of Reference (b), that the United States
receive reimbursement for inpatient health care provided in the United States to foreign military
or diplomatic personnel or their dependents, except in certain cases covered by reciprocal health
care agreements (RHCAs) between the DoD and a foreign country.
2. APPLICABILITY. This Instruction:
a. Applies to OSD, the Military Departments, the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs
of Staff and the Joint Staff, the Combatant Commands, the Office of the Inspector General of the
Department of Defense, the Defense Agencies, the DoD Field Activities, and all other
organizational entities in the DoD (hereinafter referred to collectively as the “DoD
Components”).
b. Does NOT apply to:
(1) Health care services provided to coalition forces in operational settings, or to allied
forces in overseas training exercises and similar activities.
