Tricare: Disabled family members - Getting out, military health issues - Air Force Times

Tricare: Disabled family members

The Defense Department and the Department of Veterans Affairs have programs for military family members with disabilities. A Tricare initiative called the Extended Care Health Option supplements whatever Tricare plan a military family may be using.

ECHO pays for care not otherwise available to active-duty family members with mental disabilities or serious physical disabilities or who are homebound because of a severe, complex physical or psychological condition in the 50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This includes qualified family members of activated National Guard and reserve members.

Coverage includes medical and rehabilitative care, special education, training in using assistive technology devices, durable equipment, respite care and other services. The program also provides up to 16 hours per month of respite care for beneficiaries.

The maximum government cost-share is $36,000 per fiscal year (Oct. 1-Sept. 30) for training, rehabilitation, special education (including applied behavioral analysis), assistive technology devices, institutional care, and transportation to and from institutions or facilities under certain limited circumstances. The maximum cost-share for all other ECHO benefits combined is $2,500 per month.

Cost shares for covered services are based on paygrade, ranging from $25 for E-1s through E-5s to $250 for O-10s.

The program has several limitations.

More information may be obtained from the appropriate managed care support contractor, Exceptional Family Member Coordinator, Tricare Service Center or a military hospital.

Disabled veterans and certain dependents also may qualify for VA programs.

Contact: www.tricare.mil/mybenefit/ home/overview/SpecialPrograms/ECHO