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.

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.

Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP)

The primary purpose of the Marine Corps EFMP is to ensure family member’s medical and educational needs are considered during the PCS assignment process. By identifying families with special medical and/or educational needs and maximizing confidentiality and the provision of services, EFMP is able to enhance the quality of life provided to the Marine Corps family in order to meet the mission of the Marine Corps.  Marine Corps EFMP is a mandatory enrollment program for Active Duty Service members and Active Reservists, who have a family member with special medical and/or educational needs and is designed to support the PCS assignment process.   The EFMP office is located at 58 Tulagi Drive, Bldg 404, Parris Island, SC 29905.  The office has 3 assigned Family Case Workers who offer assistance to the MCAS Beaufort, MCRD Parris Island, and the Eastern Recruiting Region.  The office can be reached by phone 843-228-EFMP (3367), or by email at bfrt_efmp@usmc.mil . You may also visit us online at Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) (southcarolina.usmc-mccs.org) or follow us on Facebook EFMP Beaufort - MCCS SC | Beaufort SC | Facebook. There is also a satellite office aboard MCAS Beaufort located at 205 S. Drayton St., Bldg 564, MCAS Beaufort, SC 29904. The office can be reached by phone 843-228-7649 or by email at bfrt_efmp@usmc.mil . 

Available Programs

New Parent Support Program -- The New Parent Support Program (NPSP) provides support services to military families by facilitating healthy family functioning, increasing parenting skills and knowledge of infant growth and development, and assisting young families in developing social support within their community. The NPSP helps families cope with stress, isolation, post-deployment reunions and the everyday demands of parenthood.

SS and SSI -- The Social Security and Supplemental Security Income disability programs are the largest of several Federal programs that provide assistance to people with disabilities. While these two programs are different in many ways, both are administered by the Social Security Administration and only individuals who have a disability and meet medical criteria may qualify for benefits under either program.

Social Security Disability Insurance pays benefits to you and certain members of your family if you are "insured" meaning that you worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes.

Supplemental Security Income pays benefits based on financial need.

When you apply for either program, SSA will collect medical and other information from you and make a decision about whether or not you meet Social Security's definition of disability.