An official website of the United States government
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 | Aug. 18, 2022

Learn How TRICARE’s Extended Care Health Option Works for Families With Special Needs

By TRICARE Communications

Are you aware of the Extended Care Health Option (ECHO)? This TRICARE option is available for eligible active duty family members (ADFMs) with special needs. It offers health care benefits beyond what other TRICARE plans offer. ECHO benefits include extra treatment, services, and more. To learn more about this program, check out the Extended Care Health Option Fact Sheet. This fact sheet offers an overview of the care your family members may be eligible to receive through ECHO.
 
“TRICARE resources like the Extended Care Health Option Fact Sheet provide information to help you get the most from your health care benefits,” said Robert Agnello, deputy chief of Digital Communications at the Defense Health Agency. “Review this fact sheet to see if ECHO is the right option for your family.”
 
Here’s a look at some things you can learn about ECHO eligibility, enrollment, benefits, and costs.
 
1. Who qualifies for ECHO?
There are specific conditions that determine whether a family member qualifies for ECHO coverage. The “ECHO Eligibility” section outlines most of them. Some examples of qualifying conditions include:
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Moderate to severe intellectual disability
  • Serious physical disability
  • Multiple disabilities affecting separate body systems
 
As highlighted in the fact sheet, your ADFM with a qualifying condition must also be enrolled in one of the following TRICARE health plans to qualify for ECHO:  
2. How do you enroll in ECHO?
The fact sheet outlines the steps active duty sponsors must take to be eligible for ECHO benefits. For example, active duty sponsors with family members who need ECHO benefits must sign up for their service’s Exceptional Family Member Program (unless waived in specific situations). You must also register for ECHO with your TRICARE regional contractor. There’s no retroactive registration. This means you have to get pre-authorization from your regional contractor for all ECHO services.
 
3. What does ECHO cover?
In the “ECHO Benefits” section, the fact sheet outlines what ECHO covers. Some of the covered products and services include:
  • Durable medical equipment
  • Assistive services, like an interpreter or translator
  • Rehabilitative services
  • Respite care for the primary caregiver
  • Institutional care when required
  • Training in special education and assistive technology devices
 
4. What are ECHO costs?
There are no enrollment fees for ECHO. But you do have monthly copayments for the months you use ECHO benefits. You pay monthly copayments based on the sponsor’s pay grade. The copayments range from $25 to $250, as outlined in the fact sheet. The coverage limit for all ECHO benefits combined is $36,000 per family member, per calendar year. This coverage limit excludes the ECHO Home Health Care benefit.
 
Your TRICARE contractor can provide further help if you have questions about ECHO enrollment, benefits, or costs. After you review the ECHO fact sheet, take the publications survey to share your feedback.
 
Would you like the latest TRICARE news sent to you by email? Visit the TRICARE Subscriptions page today, and create your personalized profile to get benefit updates, news, and more.
Service member presses down on another service member's arm while lying on a medical table.

National Guard or Reserve? Learn What To Do if Y...

News
Sep. 25, 2025

Are you a member of the National Guard or Reserve? If so, it’s important to know how TRICARE covers you if you...
Read More
DHA logo and Unlock Your Health logo; Medical professional in scrubs shows man in wheelchair papers on a clipboard.

Learn How TRICARE Can Help You Manage Chronic He...

News
Sep. 23, 2025

Living with a chronic health condition can feel hard. But you don’t have to do it alone. TRICARE offers...
Read More
Woman in a dentist's chair holds a mirror and looks at her teeth.

What To Do in a Dental Emergency

News
Sep. 19, 2025

Dental emergencies can happen anywhere, at any time. Whether you crack a tooth or have severe mouth pain,...
Read More
Young boy smiles and hugs mother

Unlock Your Health: How TRICARE Can Support Your...

News
Sep. 18, 2025

Childhood and teen years can be full of ups and downs. It’s normal for kids to be sad or irritable or to have...
Read More
Dental care provider wearing gloves performs dental procedure on patient in dental chair.

Opioids, Pain Management, and Your Oral Health

News
Sep. 17, 2025

If you’ve had certain dental procedures, like wisdom teeth removal, a root canal, or oral surgery, some...
Read More
Woman wearing dental bib opens her mouth as a dentist uses dental equipment.

The Power of Prevention: Using the TRICARE Denta...

News
Sep. 16, 2025

When it comes to your oral health, a little prevention goes a long way. That’s why the TRICARE Dental Program...
Read More
Unlock Your Health graphic, DHA logo, elderly woman and medical care worker sit together on a couch

Unlock Your Health With TRICARE Home Health Care...

News
Sep. 16, 2025

Is leaving home for care a challenge? TRICARE covers solutions that make it easier to get the care—and...
Read More
Service member smiles with arms crossed in an office.

Explore Available Counseling and Mental Health S...

News
Sep. 10, 2025

Are you a service member, family member, or survivor? Your TRICARE benefit covers a variety of mental health...
Read More

Sept. 25, 2025

National Guard or Reserve? Learn What To Do if You Need Line of Duty Care

Are you a member of the National Guard or Reserve? If so, it’s important to know how TRICARE covers you if you become sick or are injured while activated for 30 days or less. This article explores how, where, and under what circumstances National Guard and Reserve members can get line of duty care.

Sept. 23, 2025

Learn How TRICARE Can Help You Manage Chronic Health Conditions

Living with a chronic health condition can feel hard. But you don’t have to do it alone. TRICARE offers programs and coverage to help you live better with chronic conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, anxiety, and depression.

Sept. 19, 2025

What To Do in a Dental Emergency

Dental emergencies can happen anywhere, at any time. Whether you crack a tooth or have severe mouth pain, knowing what to do can save your smile and reduce damage.

Sept. 18, 2025

Unlock Your Health: How TRICARE Can Support Your Child’s Mental Health

Childhood and teen years can be full of ups and downs. It’s normal for kids to be sad or irritable or to have trouble paying attention or interacting with others at times. But sometimes, these feelings and behaviors are signs that your child could need mental health care. Learn how TRICARE can support your child’s mental health and find tips and resources for supporting your child’s well-being.

Sept. 17, 2025

Opioids, Pain Management, and Your Oral Health

If you’ve had certain dental procedures, like wisdom teeth removal, a root canal, or oral surgery, some dentists may prescribe an opioid painkiller to help manage your pain. While your comfort is a priority, it’s important to also understand any potential negative side effects posed by opioids and the importance of using opioids responsibly.

Sept. 16, 2025

The Power of Prevention: Using the TRICARE Dental Program Benefit To Save You Money

When it comes to your oral health, a little prevention goes a long way. That’s why the TRICARE Dental Program covers two routine dental cleanings and examinations each year.

Sept. 16, 2025

Unlock Your Health With TRICARE Home Health Care and Pharmacy Home Delivery

Is leaving home for care a challenge? TRICARE covers solutions that make it easier to get the care—and drugs—you may need. Your TRICARE plan may cover certain in-home health services and pharmacy home delivery options. This gives you flexibility and convenience in your care.

Sept. 10, 2025

Explore Available Counseling and Mental Health Services

Are you a service member, family member, or survivor? Your TRICARE benefit covers a variety of mental health services. But did you know there are other counseling services available to you? This article explores what services you can access if you need support.

Sept. 9, 2025

Live in the West Region? Learn if You Need To Take Action on Your Referrals Before Oct. 1

Are you a TRICARE Prime beneficiary living in the West Region? Are you currently using a referral to get specialty care? If you used the West Region referral approval waiver to see a specialist between Jan. 1 and June 30, 2025 and need to continue seeing that specialist, you’ll need to get a new referral to a network specialist before Oct. 1, 2025. If you’re still using a valid referral issued by a previous contractor before Jan. 1, 2025, you also need to get a new referral for any care received starting Oct. 1.

Sept. 8, 2025

Q&A: TRICARE For Life Coverage of Weight Loss Medications

The Defense Health Agency recently announced it will implement existing regulatory controls regarding TRICARE coverage of weight loss medications, including Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 (GLP-1) drugs, to ensure prescription processing aligns with federal coverage requirements.