Autism Care Demonstration: Understanding Active Duty Family Member Extended Care Health Option Registration
Wednesday, December 21, 2022
Considering the Autism Care Demonstration (ACD)? Family members of active duty service members must be registered in the Extended Care Health Option (ECHO) to participate in the ACD. Please note: ECHO registration deadlines apply.
Step 1: Enroll in the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP)
You and your child’s health care provider can work together to enroll in the EFMP. Please visit the Military OneSource website for additional information and how to enroll.
Note: EFMP enrollment may be waived when not required by your service branch (for example, when the custodial parent/caregiver is not the active duty sponsor).
Step 2: Register in ECHO
EFMP Not Waived
To register in ECHO, you must fax one of the following items to Health Net Federal Services, LLC (HNFS) at 1-888-965-8438:
- A signed letter on service branch letterhead that confirms enrollment in EFMP
- A copy of your EFMP registration, which can be obtained from the EFMP office, or
- A copy of the Family Member Medical Summary (DD2792) form with page 3 signed by an EFMP coordinator, or
- A signed Q-code letter confirmation EFMP registration that lists your child’s name.
Be sure your cover sheet lists the sponsor's Social Security number or U.S. Department of Defense Benefits Number.
You can send additional documents, such as evaluations by TRICARE-authorized providers, to HNFS as proof of your child’s ECHO-qualifying condition.
EFMP Waived
If your family member is not required to enroll in EFMP, call our dedicated ACD customer service line at 1-844-866-9378, option 5, and an Autism Services Coordinator will assist you with verifying eligibility for a waiver.
What happens next?
HNFS will review your documents for eligibility. If you are eligible, HNFS will:
- Add your ECHO supplemental plan type in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS), and
- Send you an ECHO welcome letter.
Provisional ECHO Registration
If your child has met ACD enrollment requirements, but HNFS has not received proof of EFMP enrollment (or a waiver), the ACD will provisionally register your child into ECHO for up to 90 days. During these 90 days, access to ECHO and initiation of ABA services can continue.
We must receive proof of EFMP before the end of this 90-day period or your child will no longer be eligible to receive services under the ACD or ECHO.
Visit www.tricare.mil/ACD and our Eligibility page to learn more.
