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.

**For Early Intervention assistance, each school district in San Diego requests individuals contact them for specific information.**
You may obtain additional information by contacting:

First 5 San Diego: First 5 San Diego is the region’s primary organization for promoting the health and well-being of children during the most critical years of development- the first five years of life. First 5’s vision is that all children ages 0-5 are healthy, loved, nurtured, and enter school as active learners. This organization partners with community-based organizations in San Diego County to ensure parents and caregivers have the support they need to keep children thriving. First 5 Healthy Development Services provided throughout San Diego County Include: Developmental Screenings, Behavioral Screenings, Speech and Language Screenings, Care Coordination, Referrals, Therapy, Parent Coaching, and virtual phone or video services.  Visit first5sandiego.org or call 1-888-5FIRST5 (1-888-534-7785) for more information.

California Early Start or Regional Center Services: Early Intervention Services are provided via Regional Centers to families with dependent children who have developmental delays and/or disabilities or conditions that have a substantial effect on self-care, mobility, communication, the capacity for independent living or economic self-sufficiency. Eligibility for services through the San Diego Regional Center (SDRC) includes individuals who have intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, Down syndrome, and/or other conditions requiring services similar to those needed by individuals with an intellectual disability. There are a vast array of Early Intervention Services provided such as Physical and Occupational therapy services, respite care hours, vocational training, placement services and beyond. For eligibility evaluation, please contact the appropriate offices: Early Start Intake at 858-496-4318 and Regional Center Intake: 858-576-2938.

HOPE Infant Family Support Program: Is a Special Education program administered through the San Diego County Office of Education supporting families living in the boundaries of the North Coastal, North Inland, Poway and South County SELPA regions. HOPE is a public-school program for special education and offers a broad range of services such as, but not limited to: Assessment/Ongoing review of child's developmental progress, Home visits by instructional staff, Consulting services in the specialized areas of Nursing, Speech & Language, OT & PT, Vision, Deaf & Hard of Hearing, Premature Infant Development, and more. Services are provided at no charge. Services are available in English & Spanish.
For more information contact HOPE@sdcoe.net, or call 858-292-3700.

Rady Children’s Health Services: Rady Children’s Health Services, Developmental and Behavioral Services offers programs that identify, evaluate, and treat young children with developmental delays, disabilities, and injuries. Through intervention and treatment services, the Rady’s Developmental Services Teams work to prevent secondary behavioral and developmental challenges, and to help children reach their full developmental and functional potential. Some of the services and programs offered at Rady Children’s Health Services include Autism Discovery Institute, Children’s Care Connection (C3), Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics (UC San Diego), Developmental Evaluation Clinic (DEC), HealthySteps, KidSTART, Feeding Team, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech-Language Pathology, and more. Visit rchsd.org or call 858-966-8555 to find out more.