ECHO benefits are available with a qualifying condition to a TRICARE-eligible child or spouse of an active duty uniformed service member. The following are qualifying conditions under ECHO:
Submit the required Enrollment Forms: DD Form 2792 Exceptional Family Member Medical Summary, DD Form 2792-1 Exceptional Family Member Special Education/Early Intervention
Register with their regional contractor to obtain ECHO benefit authorization.
For more information about the EFMP, Department of Defense beneficiaries may visit the Military Homefront Website. U.S. Coast Guard beneficiaries should contact their regional Work-Life office to inquire about the Coast Guard Special Needs Program.
Coverage
In addition to coverage received via the primary TRICARE plan, TRICARE ECHO benefits may include:
Institutional care when a residential environment is required
Transportation under certain circumstances
Assistive services, such as those from a qualified interpreter or translator, for beneficiaries whose visual or hearing impairment qualifies them for ECHO benefits
Durable equipment, including adaptation and maintenance
*ECHO Respite care-16 hours per month when receiving other authorized ECHO benefits
*EHHC Respite care-up to 40 hours per week if homebound
Coverage limitations
The ECHO benefit provides a government cost-share limit of $2,500 per month, per eligible family member. In addition to other TRICARE ECHO benefits, beneficiaries who are homebound may qualify for extended in-home health care services. The $2,500 cost share does not apply to the ECHO Home Health Care as there is a benefit cap. For certain benefits, ECHO requires recipients to first use public funds and facilities to the extent that they are available and adequate. Under ECHO, sponsors must pay part of the monthly authorized expenses for their family members, based on their pay grade, ranging from $25 to $75 a month for all enlisted and most officers.
Program authority and regulations
The program was originally authorized in Section 701 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002 and is codified in law in 10 USC 1079 through. Department of Defense regulations for the ECHO program are found at after being published in the August 20, 2004 Federal Register.
