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)

The Exceptional Family Member Program is a mandatory program designed to identify family members with long-term health care or special education needs. The program is designed to work with your military career and help you avoid potential problems by ensuring your family member receives the best care possible.

The Navy's Exceptional Family Member (EFM) Program helps Active Duty military who have family members with special medical/chronic, educational, or emotional needs. This program ensures that these "exceptional families" are detailed to areas where their special needs can be addressed and that these families are then referred to local sources of assistance that will meet their needs.

The Branch Medical/Dental Clinic located in Saratoga Springs, NY provides information and assistance for family members with exceptional needs. They can be reached by calling 518-583-5310.

Enrollment

Enrollment in the program is now required when special needs of family members are first identified or at least nine months prior to the Projected Rotation Date (PRD). At this time, detailers can consider your family's needs as well as the Navy's needs when selecting your next duty station. Once special needs are identified, it is up to the Active Duty member to ensure a DD 2792 "Exceptional Family Member Medical and Educational Summary" form is submitted on behalf of their special needs family member. Applications can be obtained at any military medical treatment facility. To be eligible, the family member must be your dependent, enrolled in DEERS (has I.D. privileges), and reside with you.

When enrolling in the EFM Program, everyone comes out a winner; the family member who is getting the special help he/she needs, the service member who can ensure that the family's needs are taken care of while advancing in his/her career, and the Navy who has a satisfied sailor working to meet its mission.

To determine whether the program applies to you, please look over the questions which follow. If you can answer "yes" to any of the questions below, contact your command medical representative or the EFM Coordinator at Naval Health Care New England. 

• Do you have a family member who has a disability? 
• Do you have a child receiving special education services and/or a child receiving medically related services? 
• Do you have a spouse or child receiving treatment for cancer, lupus, heart disease, leukemia, diabetes, mental health, or long-term illness? 
• Do you have a family member in a residential treatment facility? 
• Have you ever applied for a humanitarian reassignment for medical reasons of your immediate family member? 
• Have you recently considered hardship discharge because of special family medical or educational needs? 
• Have you recently submitted a NAVPERS 1306/7 requesting special assignment consideration because of special family medical or educational needs? 
• Has your family recently been returned from overseas because medical or special educational services were not available?
• Have you recently had to take an unaccompanied tour because a family member failed overseas/isolated area screening?
• Are you enrolled in the TRICARE Program for People With Disabilities? 
• Do you have a child receiving medical care through a state medical program? 
• Do you have a member receiving Social Security Supplemental Income (SSI) benefits? 
• Are you a geographical bachelor because of a family member's special medical or educational needs?

Your Installation Transportation Office has special procedures to follow for the transportation of medical equipment that is necessary for medical treatment required by the sponsor or family member. Some types of medical equipment may be shipped in the same manner as Professional Books, Papers, and Equipment (PBP&E).