Fort Rucker  Exceptional Family Member Program

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

• Plan My Move, an online tool that helps break down the moving process into clear, customizable steps
• Preparing for Your Move factsheet
• 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 case manager and regional contractor 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 services.

All TRICARE regional offices and most military treatment facilities are staffed with beneficiary counseling and assistance coordinators who educate beneficiaries and help them 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.

Many states offer services that are funded by the Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant, or Title V, for children with special needs. Contact your state or local health department for information on state health benefits. The Maternal and Child Health Bureau website has more information, as well, including state points of contact.

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 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 ECHO services.

For qualifying medical and/or educational special needs, 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 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 case manager know if you are moving. They can help you connect with a 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.

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, and personnel services to families with special needs.

An Exceptional Family Member (EFM) is a dependent (child or adult) of an active duty Soldier who has any physical, emotional, developmental or intellectual impairment that requires any specialized treatment, therapy, training, or counseling.

Enrollment

EFMP enrollment is conducted at Lyster Army Health Clinic's EFMP. Soldiers inprocessing to Fort Rucker are screened for special needs. All active duty soldiers with identified EFMs must apply for EFMP enrollment. Failure to apply for enrollment may result in reassignment to a location that cannot meet a family member's special medical/educational needs. Sanctions may be imposed against soldiers who knowingly conceal information about an EFM and fail or refuse to apply for enrollment. Enrollment does not adversely affect selection for promotions, schools, or assignments. Information concerning enrollment in EFMP or any of the data used in the program is not made available to selection boards.

The Army will consider the special needs of enrolled EFMs during the assignment process and will attempt to assign the soldier to an area where the needs of the family member can be met.

Special Education -- Special education needs are only considered in assignments outside the United States. Assignments within our 50 States and Trust Territories are not based on the educational needs of children. Every local school system must obey public laws regarding the provision of special education.

The EFMP suggests that transferring soldiers with school-aged EFM's hand-carry the following when they PCS:

• A copy of the child's Individual Education Plan (IEP)or Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP).
• A summary of educational activities, copies of any assessments/evaluations that have been performed, medical and diagnostic records, progress reports/report cards.
• Medical records
• shot records
• birth certificates 
• a 90-day supply of any needed medication and/or medical supplies

The EFMP Manager can assist your family in relocating and becoming knowledgeable about the installation and the surrounding community's resources and support services.

Lyster Army Health Clinic (LAHC) is a half mile from the post housing area. LAHC has no Emergency Room and specialties are limited.