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.

EFMP-Medical (M)

EFMP-M is designed to ensure that family members with medical educational and mental health needs will be able to receive the services needed before moving to different military locations.

Families who are not enrolled in EFMP but have dependents with medical, education or mental health needs that require specialty care or ongoing management by a PCM, please contact the EFMP-M office to discuss the enrollment process.

EFMP families arriving at Robins AFB are encouraged to contact the EFMP-M office/Special Needs Coordinator (SNC) to update their contact information.

The EFMP-M office/SNC can be reached at Commercial: 478-327-2988 / DSN: 312-497-7910 or via email 78mdg.efmp@us.af.mil.

EFMP Family Support (FS)

Members with a special needs family member should reach out to the EFMP-Family Support Coordinator (EFMP-FS) at the Military & Family Readiness Center (M&FRC) 725 9th Street Bldg.794 or by calling Commercial: 478-926-1259 or DSN: 312-468-1259. The Robins AFB community offers numerous services for individuals with special needs, including Respite Care (free childcare) to active duty Air Force enrolled in EFMP. The EFMP-FS can assist with many PCS related questions, including community resources, school related questions, or housing info. Please be sure to contact the EFMP-FS before you arrive or upon arrival so we can ensure that a Family Needs Assessment has been completed.

Special needs children arriving at Robins AFB should bring copies of all paperwork to include:

• Medical records to include DD Form 2792 if necessary.
• School records to include DD Form 2792-1 and IEP if necessary.
• Documentation of how child was tested (results are valid for 3 years from date of test).

For Educational Needs:

If under age 3, contact Early Childhood Intervention at Robins AFB Family Advocacy Commercial: 478-327-8398 or DSN: 312-497-8398 or Babies Can't Wait in Macon Commercial: 478-745-9200.
If over age 3, and living off base in Houston County, contact the Houston County Board of Education for an appointment with Student Services.
Be sure to hand-carry a copy of your child's 504 or IEP for the new school, as well as any evaluations or other reports concerning school services.
Director of Student Services, Houston County Board of Education, P.O. Drawer N 1100 Main St, Perry, GA 31069, Commercial: 478-988-6200 ext. 3374, FAX: 478-988-6259

For Childcare Needs:

For on-base childcare or before/after school care, must provide a note from base doctor indicating any necessary modifications to environment, staffing, or activities. There is not an additional charge for special needs children.
For off-base childcare or before/after school care, details vary depending upon child's needs and resources at the center. Care may not be available at some centers. There may be an extra charge.
Contact the Robins Youth Center at Commercial: 478-926-6834 or DSN: 312-468-6834 the CDC East at Commercial: 478-926-5805 DSN: 312-468-5805 or CDC West at Commercial: 478-926-3080 DSN: 312-468-5805.