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.

Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Fleet and Family Support Center has two EFMP Case Liaisons who can provide additional information about the EFM Program and local resources available to help families with special needs. Please check in with the EFMP Case Liaison’s to ensure your EFM cases are transferred from your previous installation, 360-257-5266/1568.

The EFM Program Coordinator at NAS Whidbey Island is located at Naval Health Clinic Oak Harbor, in Room 530 near the Active Duty Records dept., and can be reached at 360-257-9582/9223 or by email at: usn.whidbey-island.navhospoharwa.list.suitabilitycoordinator@health.mil. 

Hours of operation are:  Mon-Fri: 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

All EFM paperwork must be processed through the coordinator whether it is a new enrollment or update to an existing case. 
Access to care can be limit on Whidbey Island due to the rural nature of the island, therefore some educational and medical services may require more than a two-hour commute to locations such as Seattle, Joint Base Lewis/McChord, or Naval Hospital Bremerton. 

Lutheran Community Services runs the DoD Respite Care Program in the Whidbey Island area for families with children who are EFMP category IV and V status. There is a waiting list for this program. For more information and availability, please call Child Care Aware at 800-424-2246 for authorization.

When applying for PPV housing, the position on the housing waitlist for family members designated as Category IV and V EFMs will be adjusted accordingly to place them directly below the freeze zone (Top 10% of every housing waitlist). Eligibility for housing within these categories does not ensure availability or assignment into PPV housing. Other requests are reviewed on a case by case basis. Contact the Housing Services Center for more information at 360-257-3331.