An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

News | April 6, 2021

What is ECHO and How do I Enroll?

By TRICARE Communications

Are you an active duty service member who has a family member with special needs? Your family member may qualify for the Extended Care Health Option (ECHO). This option is for active duty family members (ADFMs) who need services and supplies beyond what TRICARE plans offer. If your family member has a mental, development, or physical disability, ECHO benefits can help pay for additional treatment and services. It also matches you with resources, training, and more.
 
“From respite care to supplies, active duty families can get extra support through ECHO,” said Carmen DeLeon, a special needs nurse consultant with the TRICARE Health Plan at the Defense Health Agency. “This support can help reduce the disabling effects of a condition or disorder.”
 
Who’s eligible for ECHO
The Extended Care Health Option Fact Sheet lists specific conditions that qualify. More broadly, ECHO is for ADFMs diagnosed with:
  • Moderate or severe intellectual disability
  • Serious physical disability
  • Extraordinary physical or psychological condition
 
You must be enrolled in TRICARE Prime, TRICARE Select, US Family Health Plan, TRICARE Overseas Program (TOP) Prime, or TOP Select. Keep in mind, you also must get pre-authorization from your TRICARE contractor for all ECHO services. And a TRICARE-authorized provider must provide these services. This means TRICARE doesn’t pay for services provided by family members, trainers, or other individuals who aren’t TRICARE-authorized providers.
 
What are the benefits
With ECHO, your family member will gain access to a number of products and services. Some ECHO benefits include:
  • Durable equipment
  • Training
  • Rehabilitation
  • Special education
  • Home health care
  • Respite care for the primary caregiver
 
There are monthly costs for authorized ECHO benefits. You pay monthly copayments based on the sponsor’s pay grade, but only for the months you use ECHO benefits. The coverage limit is $36,000 per calendar year and per beneficiary. This doesn’t include the ECHO Home Health Care benefit. You can learn more about costs and coverage limits by checking out this ECHO page.
 
How to enroll
First, your information must be up to date in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS).
 
“Make sure all your information is up to date in DEERS,” said DeLeon. “This gives the TRICARE regional contractors current information, so an ECHO representative can contact you as needed to access the ECHO benefit.”
 
If eligible, you also need to:  
After you’re enrolled in ECHO, you’ll get a case manager. Your case manager will help you find providers, get care, and make the most of your TRICARE benefit.
 
Depending on your region, you can reach out to your TRICARE contractor for additional enrollment information:
  • In the East Region, call Humana Military:
    • Medical inquiries: 1-800-881-9227
    • Behavior Health inquiries: 1-866-323-7155
 
Keep in mind, ECHO registration is required for ADFMs to qualify for services through the Comprehensive Autism Care Demonstration (ACD). For the latest on the ACD, read about these new ACD changes.
 
To learn more about ECHO, check out the ECHO page and the Extended Care Health Option Fact Sheet. If you need help with ECHO benefits or want to see if your family qualifies, be sure to talk your TRICARE contractor. Take command of your health and get the support your family needs.
Female Uniformed Service Member looks at mammogram images on a monitor with a keyboard.

The Power of Prevention: Get Cancer Screenings W...

News
Apr. 09, 2024

Catching cancer early is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your loved ones from cancer. Routine...
Read More
Heart Health: BAMC incorporates lifestyle medicine into cardiac rehab program

Look After Your Heart With Help From TRICARE

News
Apr. 04, 2024

Keeping your heart healthy is important at every age. Catching heart disease early gives you the best chance...
Read More
Screenshots of the latest issue of the TRICARE Health Matters Dental Newsletter. Callout box with text says, "Catch up on the latest dental news! www.tricare.mil/newsletters"

Check Out the Latest TRICARE Dental Program News...

News
Apr. 02, 2024

The latest issue of the TRICARE Health Matters Dental Newsletter is now online. It's full of information about...
Read More
Woman in wheelchair looks at her daughter's phone

Q&A: How TRICARE Covers Durable Medical Equipment

News
Mar. 28, 2024

TRICARE covers a range of DME, so you and your family can make the most of this equipment if you need it.
Read More
Provider wearing white lab coat flips through papers with charts on clipboard.

The HIPAA Privacy Rule and Military Health Care:...

News
Mar. 21, 2024

Are you the parent or legal sponsor of a minor child? If so, there are things you should know about what...
Read More
Collage image that displays the cover of the TRICARE Choices in the United States Handbook in front of other TRICARE handbooks.

Get To Know Your TRICARE Options in the U.S.

News
Mar. 20, 2024

Are you new to TRICARE and wondering what your health, dental, and vision coverage options are? If you live in...
Read More
Infographic including stick figure typing on laptop and a speech bubble with prescription bottle. Text reads "Military Health System MHS GENESIS - Refills are here!"

New Feature of MHS GENESIS Patient Portal Allows...

News
Mar. 15, 2024

The Defense Health Agency has launched a new feature that lets you request prescription refills through MHS...
Read More
Uniformed service member smiles and stands with wife and daughter at promotion ceremony.

Maintaining Your Military Health Records Overseas

News
Mar. 12, 2024

No matter where you live, it’s important for your electronic health record to be complete and up to date. For...
Read More

April 9, 2024

The Power of Prevention: Get Cancer Screenings With TRICARE

Catching cancer early is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your loved ones from cancer. Routine cancer screening tests can find many common cancers before they cause symptoms.

April 4, 2024

Look After Your Heart With Help From TRICARE

Keeping your heart healthy is important at every age. Catching heart disease early gives you the best chance for treatment to work well—and TRICARE makes it easy to get the preventive care you need.

April 2, 2024

Check Out the Latest TRICARE Dental Program Newsletter

The latest issue of the TRICARE Health Matters Dental Newsletter is now online. It's full of information about the TRICARE Dental Program and oral health.

March 28, 2024

Q&A: How TRICARE Covers Durable Medical Equipment

TRICARE covers a range of DME, so you and your family can make the most of this equipment if you need it.

March 21, 2024

The HIPAA Privacy Rule and Military Health Care: What Parents of Minors Need To Know

Are you the parent or legal sponsor of a minor child? If so, there are things you should know about what access you have to your child’s health care records and choices. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Privacy Final Rule protects minors’ privacy concerning their health care choices and treatment.

March 20, 2024

Get To Know Your TRICARE Options in the U.S.

Are you new to TRICARE and wondering what your health, dental, and vision coverage options are? If you live in the United States, the TRICARE Choices in the United States Handbook is a great place to start.

March 15, 2024

New Feature of MHS GENESIS Patient Portal Allows Prescription Refills

The Defense Health Agency has launched a new feature that lets you request prescription refills through MHS GENESIS.

March 12, 2024

Maintaining Your Military Health Records Overseas

No matter where you live, it’s important for your electronic health record to be complete and up to date. For TRICARE Prime Overseas and TRICARE Prime Remote Overseas beneficiaries, there are processes that help make this possible.

March 11, 2024

DOD Amends Assisted Reproductive Services Policy for Severely Ill and Injured Active Duty Service Members

DOD amended its policy covering assisted reproductive technology services to expand access for severely ill and injured active duty service members.

March 7, 2024

See What’s in Store for the TRICARE Pharmacy Program in 2024

The most recent TRICARE pharmacy contract, known as TRICARE Pharmacy 5th Generation (TPharm5), started on Jan. 1, 2023. Since then, you may have experienced some enhancements to how you get your prescription drugs. In 2024, you can continue to expect improved access to pharmacy benefit services through the TRICARE Pharmacy Program.