Annual Health and Medical Record Safety Moment
Adult Audience Only
SUMMARY
The Scouting adventure, camping trips, high-adventure excursions, and having fun are important to everyone in Scouting—and so is your safety and well-being. Completing the Annual Health and Medical Record (AHMR) is the first step in making sure you have a great Scouting experience.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The BSA Annual Health and Medical Record (often known as the “medical form” or “annual physical”) is designed to help ensure that all participants in the Scouting program are healthy enough for the adventure of Scouting. It is not intended to limit participation but to inform and protect.
To keep up with possible changes in health status, the form needs to be updated annually or when a participant’s health information changes. The record expires in one year.
The four-part form serves as a single place to document a participant’s medical history and recent medical examination. It also provides consent for treatment in the event a participant needs emergency care while traveling away from aparent or guardian.
Parts A and B should be completed for all participants and Scouting leaders. Part C should be completed by a licensed health care provider (M.D., D.O., N.P., or P.A.) before the participant attends any Scouting event that is longer than 72 hours, such as a summer camp, trek, or multiday excursion.
The optional “High Adventure Risk Advisory” (formerly known as Part D) needs to be shared with the examining medical provider during the pre-participation examination to explain known health risks for each of the BSA’s four highadventure bases. Additionally, your council may develop a risk advisory specific to your council camps or other properties or events.
The forms should be maintained by a designated leader. To assure privacy, the forms should be carefully stored and used only as needed to provide for planning and rendering care. The AHMR should not be scanned, stored, or sent electronically except as specifically directed for a BSA national event such as the national jamboree or NOAC.
Neither the BSA nor the Annual Health and Medical Record are subject to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). A Scout is Trustworthy: Records and sensitive information should be maintained in a private manner.
RESOURCES