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.

Medical and Dental Care

Kunsan AB is a family member restricted assignment. Care is provided by the 8th Medical group with very limited specialty services (Internal Medicine, Orthopedics, OB/GYN, etc.).   Service members  may also get a referral from thier primary care provider to be seen at an off-base hospital. Kunsan AB has agreements with two local hospitals, Gunsan Medical Center (15 minutes away) and Wonkwang Hospital (45 Minutes away in Iksan). 

On Base, there are limited facilities available for treatment on base. There is a local TRICARE office that assists personnel in obtaining adequate medical care off base.  Medical and Dental care services are offered on a priority basis. First priority of care is to active duty military. Subsequent priorities are authorized civilians or retired military and family members of retired military following in the eligibility chain on a space available basis. Dental care services are limited to active duty military only. There are some retiree dental plan providers in Korea but most are in the Seoul area. Emergency dental care is offered but only to eligible individuals. When services are unavailable, those eligible for medical/dental care are referred to TRICARE.  Kunsan Air Base does not have an emergency room. TRICARE can authorize treatment at one of the many Korean medical facilities off base in either Gunsan City or Seoul. Many active duty personnel who require advanced medical treatment often are scheduled for appointments locally. 

Community Resources

Gunsan City has several hospitals and clinics but for many advanced needs personnel will travel to Seoul after scheduling through the local TRICARE services center. Civilian facilities for military, civilians and family members while visiting are available in the local area. The closest emergency room is located at Gunsan University Medical Center about 10 minutes from the installation. Keep in mind if civilian medical assistance is used Korea has a pay for services billing policy where you will not be discharged unless you pay the bill in full prior to leaving the facility.

Kunsan AB is a remote, dependent restricted assignment; there is little to no EFMP support available on base or in the community.