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.

Educational and Developmental Intervention Services (EDIS)

EDIS is an early intervention program for infants and toddlers living on Quantico Marine Base. It provides an array of services to include developmental screenings and evaluations, service coordination, referrals and therapy services for children who meet the program eligibility requirements.  EDIS offers services for children from birth up to 3 years of age. At age 3, the Quantico schools offer these services.

There are two ways to qualify for services. Some infants who are born early, or who have a condition diagnosed at birth, may be eligible for services. Children may also qualify if they have a certain amount of delay in their development. With the parent's permission and participation, EDIS will conduct an evaluation to find out how your child in doing in all areas of development.

EDIS offers physical therapy, occupational therapy, special education services, speech and language services,. If your child qualifies for the program and you are interested in receiving services, an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) will be written with you to define what you want your child to learn to do, and the service(s) that are needed to meet your goals.

All EDIS services are provided in the child's natural environment. Most often this is the home, but EDIS can also see your child at the Child Development Center, FCC home, or in other settings such as Library Story Time, play groups through the New Parent Support Program, or even at locations such as a playground.

Marine families living off the base should contact their local county early intervention program for services.

Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP)

Reminder: Children receiving Early Intervention Services must be enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP). Reference: MCO 1754.4C

The Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) is a mandatory enrollment program for active duty sponsors who have family member(s) with special medical and/or educational needs. Per MCO 1754.4C, the primary purpose of the EFMP is to ensure that the special medical and educational needs of the family member are considered during the assignment process.

Enrollment into the program requires completion of DD Form 2792 (Exceptional Family Member Medical Summary) on the diagnosed family member and/in addition to DD Form 2792-1 (Exceptional Family Member Special Education/Early Intervention Summary) for children ages 0-21 with an Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) or an Individualized Educational Program (IEP). Upon completion of the necessary form(s), the process for enrollment will take approximately 3 weeks.

Service members are required to update their enrollment every three years or sooner, if the medical and/or educational requirements change, by completing the above mentioned forms. Enrollment in the EFMP remains in effect until the medical/educational condition is no longer a consideration, sponsor separates from the military, or their dependency status changes. Service members may dis-enroll from the program by completing the DD form 2792 and/or 2792-1 with documentation from a medical doctor and/or school stating that services are no longer needed.

Benefits of EFMP include: information and referral for military and community services, education and outreach, development of family services plans, referral to other military and family support providers, local school and early intervention services information, Warm Handoffs (WHOs) to EFMP at the next location and non-clinical case management.