Health Care/Special Needs

Whether this is your first move, or you’re a seasoned professional, moving can be a challenge. A little planning and preparation can help make your move as easy as possible. Try the following Defense Department resources to help you get organized:

• PCS & Military Moves on Military OneSource.mil provides comprehensive moving resources, information and services all in one simple location
• Plan My Move, an online tool that helps break down the moving process into clear, customizable steps, with checklists to help keep you organized and on track
• EFMP & Me, an online tool to help you plan for transition and continuity of support services for your family member(s) with special needs

Make sure your transition is as smooth as possible by visiting Moving on the TRICARE website. Talk to your medical case manager before you move. They can help you find a new doctor and other resources to avoid any interruptions in coverage.

On arrival at your new duty location, you or your sponsor can contact the Beneficiary Counseling and Assistance Coordinator at the military treatment facility. They can help if you have questions or need assistance with authorizations for TRICARE Extended Care Health Option, or ECHO, services.

All TRICARE regional offices and most military treatment facilities are staffed with beneficiary counseling and assistance coordinators who educate beneficiaries and help with TRICARE-related eligibility, enrollment, referrals/authorizations and claims processing questions. If you or your family has more complex needs, contact your TRICARE case manager.

TRICARE debt collection assistance officers are assigned to regional offices and military treatment facilities worldwide. DCAOs assist with confirmed debt collection due to unpaid TRICARE claims. Please note, the debt must be in collections or listed on your credit report.

Medicaid provides health coverage for eligible individuals and families with low incomes or with special needs. The department of social services or the department of medical assistance may administer the Medicaid program in your state. Supplemental Security Income is a cash assistance program intended to assist adults and children with special needs who have limited resources. Families must reapply after moving to a new state.

Medicaid waivers are state-specific Medicaid programs that provide funding for long-term care services to be provided in the community instead of in nursing homes or hospitals. There may be waitlists for waivers, however many states have agreed to the policy of allowing active-duty military families to enroll in their state of legal residence to get on the wait list.

Learn more about Benefits for Families With Special Needs, or review the Government Assistance Programs course on MilLife Learning.

The TRICARE Extended Care Health Option provides supplemental services to:

• Family members of active-duty service personnel (this includes activated National Guard and reserve service personnel)
• Family members who are covered under the Transitional Assistance Management Program
• Children or spouses of former service members who are victims of abuse and qualify for the Transitional Compensation Program
• Family members of deceased active-duty sponsors while they are considered transitional survivors.

The qualifying family member’s disability must be entered properly in the Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System to have access to TRICARE ECHO services.

For qualifying medical and/or educational special needs, TRICARE ECHO offers integrated services and supplies beyond those offered by your TRICARE program option (such as TRICARE Prime and TRICARE Select). See this TRICARE ECHO factsheet for more information, or listen to this TRICARE ECHO webinar on Military OneSource.

Military hospitals and clinics are found at military bases and posts around the world. They are also referred to as military treatment facilities. Before you move, find out your new military treatment facility and contact them for local information.

Medical case management involves a team of health care professionals who help you and your family find solutions to complex health problems. It is important to let your medical case manager know if you are moving. They can help you connect with a medical case manager at your new location. Learn more about TRICARE case management services.

If your family member has special transportation needs for the move, such as oxygen or a special bed or wheelchair, contact your TRICARE medical case manager. They can advise you on equipment and transportation.

You can also contact your current installation’s household goods/transportation office (outbound) for information on special procedures for transporting medical equipment.

ACS Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP)

An exceptional Family Member is a Family Member (child or adult) with any physical, emotional, developmental, or intellectual disability who requires specialty treatment, therapy, special education, or counseling. EFMP is a mandatory enrollment program that is based on public law and Department of Defense mandates. Both ACS EFMP and Blanchfield Army Community Hospital (BACH) EFMP work cooperatively to provide support for Active Duty Soldiers and their Family members.

EFMP enrollment does not guarantee assignment deletions, deferments or compassionate reassignments. All Soldiers are still eligible for worldwide assignments and enrollment will not guarantee that a Soldier will not serve an unaccompanied tour.

BACH EFMP helps identify and document Active Duty Family members who have specialty care, special education or other support needs. The documentation assists in obtaining specialty support services and determines the impact of such needs on the Soldier's assignments. All Active Duty Soldiers with OCONUS assignments must schedule a medical records screening for each Family member. This screening must be completed before Family travel application can be processed. Appointments are scheduled when Soldiers attend their levy briefing or by calling 270-798-8830. BACH EFMP personnel will also assist you in finding the services needed within community hospitals and schools.

ACS Services Provided:

ACS EFMP provides comprehensive resource support coordination assistance with agencies on or off the installation, in addition to the services below.

• Information and Referral (medical, psychological, social, and educational services)
• Relocation Assistance (world-wide information including National, state and local agencies)
• Special Needs Accommodation Process (facilitate the coordination and placement of children and youth with special needs seeking Child and Youth Services programs)
• Respite Care (processes all respite care applications to determine eligibility)
• Monthly Support Group (second Tuesday of each month)
• Monthly Family Activity (last Sunday of each month)
• Special Events (throughout the year)
• Advocacy (educational workshops and specialized training provided on special education)
• System Navigation (connects Families with the systems of care on or off the installation)
• Briefings (Program briefings available for Child and Youth Service personnel, military units and Family readiness groups by request)

For more information and assistance contact the ACS Exceptional Family Member Program 270-798-2727 or online at Exceptional Family Member Program (armymwr.com)