AF Form 560: Download Authorization and Treatment Statement – If you’re an active-duty Air Force or Space Force member, dependent, or civilian beneficiary receiving care at a Military Treatment Facility (MTF), you may encounter AF Form 560, officially titled Authorization and Treatment Statement. This essential administrative form supports inpatient admissions, treatment authorizations, and related medical processes within the Department of the Air Force.
Understanding AF Form 560 helps streamline your medical experience and ensures compliance with Air Force medical administration procedures. This guide covers its purpose, who uses it, how it’s completed, its role in Line of Duty (LOD) determinations, and where to download the latest version.
What Is AF Form 560?
AF Form 560 is the Authorization and Treatment Statement. It serves as a key document in Air Force inpatient and certain outpatient medical processes. The form captures patient identification, authorization for treatment, admission details, and other administrative information required for proper medical record management and billing/claims processing.
It is referenced in official Department of the Air Force guidance, including DAFMAN 41-210 (Patient Administration), which outlines procedures for admissions, dispositions, and related administrative activities in Medical Treatment Facilities.
The form has been in use for decades (with references dating back to older versions like the 1987 edition), and it remains a standard tool in current Air Force medical operations as of 2026.
Primary Purpose of AF Form 560
The main purposes include:
- Providing written authorization for medical treatment and admission to an MTF.
- Documenting key admission and disposition information for inpatient care.
- Supporting Line of Duty (LOD) determinations when an injury or illness requires review (e.g., for inpatient admissions where the provider flags a potential duty-related incident).
- Facilitating accurate patient administration, eligibility verification, and record-keeping in compliance with DoD and Air Force health record policies.
In practice, the Admissions and Dispositions (A&D) clerk or admitting staff often completes most sections during pre-admission or admission. The healthcare provider may determine the need for admission and contribute clinical details.
For LOD cases, the reverse side of the form is used to record details such as the time, place, and manner of the incident, which feeds into the formal LOD process (often involving AF Form 348).
Who Uses AF Form 560?
- Active Duty Air Force and Space Force members
- Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve personnel (when receiving care at MTFs or under certain ARC processes)
- Authorized dependents and other beneficiaries eligible for care in Air Force facilities
- MTF staff, including admitting clerks, patient administration personnel, and healthcare providers
- Line of Duty Medical Focal Point representatives appointed at Medical Groups or Squadrons
It applies across Regular Air Force, Reserve, and Guard components when interacting with Air Force medical systems.
Key Sections and How to Complete AF Form 560
While the exact layout is best viewed in the official PDF, typical elements include:
- Patient Identification: Full name, rank/grade (if applicable), SSN or DoD ID, date of birth, sponsor information (for dependents), and eligibility details.
- Authorization Statement: Patient or authorized representative consent for treatment and admission.
- Admission Details: Date/time of admission, diagnosis or reason for admission, admitting provider, and unit/command information.
- Treatment Information: Relevant clinical notes or authorizations tied to the care episode.
- Disposition/Discharge Fields: For completion upon patient release or transfer.
- Reverse Side (for LOD cases): Narrative details on injury/illness circumstances when a Line of Duty investigation is needed.
Tips for completion:
- The A&D clerk usually handles administrative blocks.
- Ensure eligibility is verified through DEERS before proceeding.
- Signatures from the patient (or guardian) and provider are critical for authorization.
- For LOD-related admissions, capture incident specifics promptly and coordinate with the MTF’s LOD focal point.
Always follow the latest instructions in DAFMAN 41-210 or local MTF supplements. Improper completion can delay care, LOD processing, or record accuracy.
Relation to Other Air Force Medical Forms and Processes
AF Form 560 works alongside other standard forms:
- AF Form 348 — Line of Duty Determination.
- AF Form 230 — Request for Patient Transfer.
- AF Form 570 — Notification of Patient’s Medical Status (or similar).
- Standard forms like SF 502/504/505/506 for medical records.
It supports broader patient administration under DAFMAN 41-210 and aligns with DoD health record policies (e.g., DHA-PM 6025.02).
In inpatient workflows, the form helps track admissions packages and ensures proper documentation for continuity of care, aeromedical evacuation (if needed), or return-to-duty decisions.
How to Download the Official AF Form 560?
The most current and authorized version is available directly from the Air Force e-Publishing site:
→ Download AF Form 560 PDF here: https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_sg/form/af560/af560.pdf
Always use the official link from e-Publishing.af.mil to ensure you have the latest revision. Do not rely on third-party templates for official submissions, as they may not match current requirements.
For additional guidance, consult:
- DAFMAN 41-210 (Patient Administration) – Search on e-Publishing.af.mil.
- Your local MTF Patient Administration or Admissions office.
- The Air Force Medical Service Knowledge Exchange (if you have access).
Common Questions About AF Form 560
Is AF Form 560 only for inpatient care?
Primarily yes, but it supports certain treatment authorization scenarios in MTFs. Outpatient processes may use different documentation.
Do dependents need to complete it?
Yes, when receiving inpatient care or when authorization is required for specific treatments as beneficiaries.
What if I’m in the Reserves or Guard?
The form is used in ARC (Air Reserve Component) contexts when care occurs at an MTF, and LOD processes may involve additional coordination with your unit.
Is there a digital version or integration with electronic health records?
Many MTFs use electronic systems (e.g., within the DoD health record framework), but the paper or fillable PDF form remains the standard reference for this specific statement.
Why Proper Use of AF Form 560 Matters
Accurate completion protects your benefits, ensures timely LOD determinations (which can affect pay, medical coverage, and career decisions), and maintains compliance with privacy and records management rules under the Privacy Act and DoD directives.
If you’re preparing for a medical procedure, PCS move, or have questions about an ongoing admission, speak with your MTF’s Patient Administration section early.
Need the form right now?
Download the official AF Form 560 from Air Force e-Publishing.
For the most up-to-date instructions, always check official Department of the Air Force publications on e-Publishing.af.mil. Policies and forms can be updated, so verify with your local medical facility for any MTF-specific supplements.
This article is for informational purposes only and is based on publicly available Air Force publications as of 2026. It is not a substitute for official guidance from your chain of command or MTF. Consult qualified Air Force medical administration personnel for case-specific advice.