What form is used to initiate a medical affirmative claims case by the staff judge advocate?

• A. None, the base legal office assumes responsibility for the case
• B. AF 1488, Daily Log of Patients Treated for Injuries
• C. AF 438, Medical Care-Third Party Liability Notification
• D. DD Form 153, Federal Medical Care Recovery

Answer: (C)

Initiating a medical affirmative claims case hinges on establishing third-party liability so the government can recover the costs of medical care. The form used for this purpose is AF 438, Medical Care-Third Party Liability Notification. It starts the MAC process by notifying the liable party and recording essential details—patient data, services provided, dates, and the potential insurer or third party responsible. This formal notification gives the staff judge advocate the authority to pursue recovery and coordinate with medical facilities and the payer. Other options don’t fit: a daily log of patients treated is just an internal record and doesn’t trigger a legal claim; DD Form 153 relates to federal medical care recovery programs but isn’t the standard initiating document for a military medical affirmative claims case in this context.