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.

Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) Great Lakes

At Naval Station Great Lakes the Exceptional Family Member Program Liaison is located at the Fleet and Family Support Center, Building 26, telephone 847-688-3603, extension 100. The Liaison can be contacted in a number of ways; appointment, drop in, call or message on the Exceptional Family Member Program, Naval Station Great Lakes Facebook site. The Facebook site provides informational articles on special needs diagnosis, current trends in special education, disabilities, medical care, support groups, resources and family activity ideas. A bi-monthly newsletter for EFMP families is also available on the Facebook page.

The EFMP Liaison is a point of contact for any questions that you may have about the program and can assist in directing you to the right resources. The liaison is familiar with many aspects of special needs families as well as military life and is an informational resource. The liaison can also assist when special circumstances happen or as a link with other bases, service branches and to provide continuity of care for your family.  

Enrollment -- At Great Lakes you can obtain the two forms (DD2792 and DD2792-1) from the EFMP Coordinator located at The Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center (Lovell FHCC) 3001 Green bay Rd., North Chicago, IL, (Building 135, West Campus) Hours of operation 7a.m. to 3:30p.m. . phone number 224-610-4763 or from the EFMP Liaison located at the Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) 525 Farragut Ave., Suite 300, Bldg. 26, phone number 847-688-3603. There is also a Facebook site (Exceptional Family Member Program-Naval Station Great Lakes) where you can access a link that will allow you to print the forms from your computer. There are also links in Military Homefront. If you have any questions about the forms and/or when you are done filling out your paperwork, bring the forms to the Lovell FHCC EFMP Coordinator to proof read and ensure that you have provided all the information.  He will send it to the committee and notify you of the results. 

The Fleet and Family Support Center EFMP Liaison can assist you with the following:

• Provide you with Information and Referral  to assist with relocation
• Local School and Early Intervention Services Information
• Information and Education regarding special needs support services in the surrounding local communities

In addition, the NAVSTA Great Lakes EFMP facebook site provides information on Tricare, EFMP, Special Education, Family Support, and Information on different special needs diagnosis.

Special Education/ Early Intervention Services (EIS)

The FFSC EFMP Liaison is able to assist you with questions regarding Special Education and Early Intervention.  The Liaison works with the New Parent Support Program and the School Liaison Officer to provide assistance and answers as well as support you and your child.

Early Intervention testing is done at Illinois school districts for free In the Great Lakes area.

Special education programs vary depending on the school district.  We have cooperative special education for some districts through the Special Education District of Lake County, but some districts continue to handle their own special education needs.

The overseas EFMP educational screening for anyone under the age of 21 is done at The James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center.