Extended Care Health Option

ECHO provides financial assistance to beneficiaries with special needs for an integrated set of services and supplies.

Who is Eligible?

ECHO is only available to active duty family members with qualifying conditions, such as:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Serious physical disability
• Moderate to severe intellectual disability
• Multiple disabilities (if there are two or more affecting separate body systems)
• Extraordinary physical/psychological condition that keeps the beneficiary at home
• Diagnosis of a neuromuscular developmental condition
• A condition in an infant or toddler that is expected to come before a diagnosis of moderate to severe intellectual disability or serious physical disability

What are the Benefits?

ECHO provides benefits that aren’t available through the basic TRICARE program, such as:

• Medical and rehabilitative services
• In-home respite services
• Special education
• Durable equipment, including adaptation and maintenance
• Transportation under certain circumstances
• Institution care when a residential environment is required
• Assistive services (e.g., those from a qualified interpreter or translator)
• Expanded in-home medical services through ECHO Home Health Care

How Do I Enroll?

To enroll in ECHO, you must:

1. Enroll in the Exceptional Family Member Program through the sponsor’s branch of service
2. Send in confirmation of EFMP enrollment as well as verification of the qualifying diagnosis
3. You can fax the required documents to 877- 200-0401

For more information:

• For more information, call 800-881-9227
• Medical questions, call 800-881-9227
• Behavioral health questions, call 866-323-7155

What are the Costs and Coverage Limits?

While there are no enrollment fees, you must pay part of the monthly expenses for authorized ECHO benefits. The monthly copaymentA fixed dollar amount you may pay for a covered health care service or drug. is one fee per sponsor, not per beneficiary. The monthly cost-shareA percentage of the total cost of a covered health care service that you pay. is based on the sponsor's pay grade, and you only pay the copayment if you use ECHO benefits during that calendar month. Learn more about costs and coverage.