B737-800
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Distraction; Workload
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Hazardous Material Violation; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR
Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Human Factors; Procedure; Company Policy
Radio Closeout indicated R/A (Regulatory Article) F-YES.No NOTOC (Notice to Crew) received prior to gate departure. CA (Captain) queried FO (First Officer) who stated there were certain cargo 'exceptions' that allow departure with R/A and no NOTOC.  FO stated he had recent experience with this situation and end result (via chief pilot conversation) was that there were some shipments of R/A that no longer required a NOTOC. Radio call made to Ops who stated the subject cargo was 'medical shipment; no NOTOC required.' With apparent confirmation of the FO's position; departed immediately to maintain schedule.Enroute further research in FM-1 Section 13 confirmed CA's belief that ANY R/A REQUIRED a NOTOC. Post-Flight CA called Cargo Hotline which confirmed Dry Ice was the R/A and a computer generated NOTOC was issued (unknown if it was ever printed). Cargo was unable to determine the R/A location in computer logs.No incidents or other issues concerning this instance.Suspect 'human error' by station personnel in not delivering a NOTOC to flight crew and claiming no NOTOC was required. I should have stuck with my 28+ years of experience and 'gut feeling' when something isn't 'just right.'  My 'gut feeling' was FM-1 'requires a NOTOC for ANY R/A' which was later confirmed.
I mentioned to him that there were exceptions to the rule requiring any NOTOC; one being the UN-3373. I informed the Captain that I had once taken a lengthy delay only to be told it was unnecessary for a similar situation. I called operations as we held short of the runway; and queried them regarding our situation. They informed me that it was a medical shipment that required no NOTOC; and that we were legal to depart. After further review during cruise; the Captain and I concluded that we may have in fact needed a NOTOC. This was later confirmed by Captain with a phone call to cargo. Please get these station personnel squared away if this is the case!
Hazmat was loaded as B737 cargo; but the Notice to the Crew (NOTOC) did not accompany it. The ground crew erroneously stated it was medical and the NOTOC was not require. The Captain determined that was incorrect.