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 purpose of the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) is to provide a coordinated, multi-agency support network as well as housing, educational, medical, and personnel services for families with special needs. Enrollment in the EFMP requires evaluations by appropriate military medical personnel. Enrollment is mandatory for active duty, Army Reserve Soldiers, and Army National Guard Soldiers in the Active Guard Reserve if they have a child or adults family member who has a physical, emotional, developmental, or intellectual disorder and requires special treatment, therapy, education, training, or counseling (needs beyond what primary care providers can provide).

The purpose of EFMP is to assess, identify, and document the special educational and medical needs of Exceptional Family Members (EFMs). The program provides information and assistance to Families with EFMs so they can connect with necessary community support services and have access to facilities and programs. EFMP considers educational and medical needs of EFMs during the continental United States (CONUS) and outside the continental United States (OCONUS) assignment process. This way, Soldiers will be assigned to areas where their EFMs medical and/or special education needs can be accommodated – provided there is a valid personnel requirement for the Soldier’s grade and specialty.

Depending on the medical and educational needs of a Soldier and Family, and due to the remoteness of Yuma Proving Ground (YPG) and the surrounding area, services may not be readily available for individuals with exceptional needs. Medical facilities on YPG are limited, with only a small outpatient clinic which operates Monday-Thursday with emergencies only Friday-Sunday. Medical resources in the town of Yuma are located 30 miles from YPG and are limited, with a few specialists available. Phoenix and San Diego are three hours each from YPG and offer more options for medical care. No public transportation exists between YPG and the town of Yuma.

Special education programs are offered by public schools, with some schools being more comprehensive than others. Housing requirements on YPG are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Check with the EFMP Manager, Yuma, AZ, 928-328-3224 or DSN 312-899-3224.