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 USAG Benelux-Brunssum Army Community Service EFMP manager should be contacted prior to the PCS move. Some families require special needs, accommodations or considerations based on the special needs of the exceptional family member(s).

The Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) is a mandatory enrollment program that is based on public law and Department of Defense mandates. Soldiers on active duty enroll in the program when they have a family member (child or adult) with a physical, emotional, developmental, intellectual or educational disorder requiring specialized services related to medical treatment, therapy, counseling, training and/or education. Enrollment ensures that the needs of the family member will be considered in the military assignment process.

The EMFP program provides: support groups, advocacy, recreation, information/referral, and relocation services.

Screening -- When a soldier is being considered for an assignment to an OCONUS area, all family members (who are command sponsored - family travel is authorized) must be medically screened. This screening consists of medical records review for all family members. The physician completes a DA-5888 which is sent forward to European Regional Medical Command (ERMC) through 1st PERSCOM and Dept. of Defense Dependent Schools (DODDS) for a medical and/or educational review.

When 1st PERSCOM approves family travel, the soldier may begin the PCS preparation. When services are not available, PERSCOM considers alternative assignment locations based on existing assignment priorities or sends the soldiers on an unaccompanied status. This is important to families who have members with special needs because it ensures that they are aware of the care available at the gaining installation.

Special Housing Assignments --  If a family member with a medical condition which requires special adaptations within the family housing unit, the EFMP manager should be notified of the family requirements as soon as possible, prior to the move. Special housing is provided only when there is medical documentation verifying the condition and justification for adaptation.

Individual Education Plan (IEP) -- If you have a child on an (IEP), please request your child's IEP and hand carry it with you.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Supplemental Security Disability Income (SSDI)

If the soldier has a spouse or child with a disability, it is essential that they visit their Social Security office prior to coming to the TRI-BORDER Community. It is not possible to sign up for SSI & SSDI while you are in Europe.

The point of contact is the EFMP Program Coordinator located at Army Community Service (ACS), Bldg. 318, 1st Floor, SHAPE, Belgium. They can be reached by calling DSN 314-597-7357 or Comm: 011/32.02280.7357. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.