Fort Hood  Exceptional Family Member Program

If you anticipate a move to another TRICARE region, learn the steps you should take to make sure your transition is as smooth as possible by visiting Moving. On arrival at the new duty location, you or your sponsor can contact the Beneficiary Counseling and Assistance Coordinator, or BCAC, at the military treatment facility if you have questions or need assistance to obtain authorizations for TRICARE Extended Care Health Option services, if applicable.

All TRICARE regional offices and most military treatment facilities are staffed with beneficiary counseling and assistance coordinators, or BCAC, who can provide help with understanding your health care benefit and guidance on getting the services needed. If you or your family member has more severe needs, contact your TRICARE case manager.

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

Many states offer services for children with special health care needs funded by the Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant, or Title V. State departments of health websites and local health departments can provide information on state health benefits. The Maternal and Child Health Bureau website has more information, including state points of contact.

The Extended Care Health Option provides financial assistance to beneficiaries of active-duty service members who qualify based on specific mental or physical disabilities. The Extended Care Health Option offers an integrated set of services and supplies beyond the basic TRICARE program. Regional contractors in each of the TRICARE regions and overseas administer the program.

The clinics and services available at military treatment facilities vary by location. Before you move, identify the military treatment facility that will serve you, visit its website to learn about the services available and get contact information.

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 inform your case manager if you are moving as he or she will connect you with the case manager at your new location.

Contact your installation’s household goods/transportation office for information on special procedures for the transportation of medical equipment.

TRICARE debt collection assistance officers, or DCAO, are assigned to regional offices and military treatment facilities worldwide and can help beneficiaries understand and get assistance with debt collection issues related to TRICARE.

Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP)

The Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) is a mandatory enrollment program that works with other military and civilian agencies to provide comprehensive and coordinated medical, educational, housing, community support, Respite Care, and personnel services to families with special needs.

An Exceptional Family Member is an active duty Family member (child or adult) with any physical, emotional, developmental, or intellectual disability that requires special treatment, therapy, education, training or counseling. Army Family members who require specialty care at least annually or who have special housing or medical equipment needs must be enrolled. Some chronic conditions require enrollment even though services are not currently needed.

The following Soldiers with an EFM must enroll in the program:

• Active Army
• U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) Soldiers in the USAR-Active Guard Reserve (AGR) program. Mobilized and deployed Soldiers are not eligible for EFMP.
• Army National Guard (ANG) personnel serving under authority of Title 10 and 32, United States Code.

  The ACS Exceptional Family Member Program and the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center Exceptional Family Member Clinic work closely together for the benefit of Soldiers and their Families.

  The ACS - EFMP offers a variety of recreational activities and programs for individuals with special needs catering to the recreational and social needs of our Military community. Currently, we have a Virtual Facebook Support Group that post on the 2nd Wednesday of the month from 1130-1230 at https://www.facebook.com/FortHoodEFMP, workshops on the 3rd Thursday of each month from 9:30-11:30, EFMP Orientation on the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 9:30-11:30 and "Thursdays with Dr. Tom" on the 2nd Thursday of each month from 9:30-10:30, all at the Shoemaker Center, Building 36000 2nd Floor ACS Classroom. Child care is not available for any of the events. The events help to connect Families with resources, knowledge, and one another. This is especially true whenever Families can find a common ground and establish a relationship with someone else who lives with their specific disability. Frequently, speakers have been vetted are brought in to discuss issues, services, and resources in the workshop setting. Pre-registration is requested at least two days before the event. To register, please contact ACS - EFMP by phone at 254-287-6070, 254-618-7763 or email ACS - EFMP at usarmy.hood.imcom-fmwrc.list.acs-efmp@mail.mil.

  ACS - EFMP also offers Respite Care for Active Duty soldiers who qualify.  Respite Care is a short, planned period of rest for the care giver that provides a much-needed break from the stressful demands of caring for an EFM. Qualified Families can receive up to 25 hours of care per month, per eligible Family member. The determination of the number of hours is based on medical and safety needs,  based on a completed Family Needs Assessment and a review by the Panel Review Board. Care may be provided in the ACS - EFMP Respite Care user's home or other settings such as special needs camps and enrichment programs, in Child & Youth Services Family Child Care, or Child Development Centers (hourly care). It is time limited based on the Exceptional Family Member's (EFM) medical condition and the availability of funding. ACS - EFMP Respite Care is not an entitlement or a guaranteed benefit. When qualified Families are free to choose their own Respite Care worker from professional Respite Care Workers who are employed by Strategic Resources Incorporated (SRI) and have completed all training and fulfill all background check requirements. The paramount concern is a Family's comfort and peace of mind. It should be noted that all providers must meet ALL requirements established by the centralized contracting agency.

  ACS - EFMP participates in the Special Needs Accommodation Process (SNAP) helping to facilitate the placement of children/youth with special needs into the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE), ensuring that the recommendation for placement of a child with a disability will include the consideration of reasonable accommodations.

  ACS - EFMP offers Families assistance with school related concerns, through monthly workshops, library resources, and one-on-one advice on how to be an effective self-advocate. Self-advocacy is learning how to speak up for EFM, making your own decisions about your EFM’s life, learning how to get information so you can understand things that are of benefit to your Family, learning who will support you on your journey, knowing your rights and responsibilities, problem-solving, listening and learning, reaching out to others when you need help and friendship, and learning about self-determination.

  EFMP currently has three contracted Systems Navigators and one DoD civilian Systems Navigator, who assist Families in connecting with local, state, federal resources.  They serve as non-medical case managers helping Families navigate through agency services that are helpful and available.

  For newly arriving Soldiers and departing Soldiers, EFMP provides wraparound services in order to ensure an easy transition from one duty station to another. 

  The EFMP Clinic (EFMPC) is the starting place for enrollment into the EFMP. All enrollments, updates, and dis-enrollments are done on a walk-in basis through the Carl R. Darnall Exceptional Family Member Clinic, located in the Wetlands on the first floor of the hospital. Overseas Screenings for requested Command Sponsorship are scheduled by calling the Patient Appointment Service at (254)288-8888. The EFMPC is open from 0800 to 1600 Monday through Friday. The clinic is closed from 1130 to 1200 and on Federal and hospital training holidays. The EFMPC can be reached at (254) 288-8099 or questions may be addressed to usarmy.hood.medcom-crdamc.mbx.efmp@mail.mil.