Positive Reinforcement ABA Therapy Inc. is an approved TRICARE provider of ABA services for children of military families.
What is Tricare?
The U.S. Department of Defense’s primary healthcare provision system is called TRICARE.
ECHO, the Extended Care Health Option, is a benefit program provided by the U.S. Department of Defense Military Health System to assist military families with the financial burden of providing services for a child or family member with a disability.
Eligible beneficiaries of ECHO include individuals who exhibit moderate or severe mental delays, serious physical disability, neuromuscular developmental conditions, or children under the age of three who are expected to develop a diagnosis of moderate or severe mental or physical disability.
STEP 1 – Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP)
Active Duty Military Families
In order to take advantage of these benefits, the beneficiary needs to be enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP). Each branch of our armed services provides and manages its own version of the EFMP, but registration will generally begin with contacting your nearest Military Treatment Facility. All services, supplies, and equipment must be received from a TRICARE-authorized provider, such as Positive Reinforcement ABA Therapy, Inc..
The EFMP is the basic starting point for TRICARE-covered individuals with special needs. The EFMP serves two needs: a personnel function and a family support function. The personnel portion of the program is mandatory and standardized across all services (except members of the Coast Guard who are part of the Department of Homeland Security – they are covered under a special program called The Worklife Program ).
The EFMP personnel function is used to identify family members with special needs and keep track of the services they require. However, while the EFMP maintains records on its registrants, and can provide information and resources about contacting care providers, it remains the families’ job to actually get in touch with the providers and organize their service.
Positive Reinforcement ABA prides itself on the relationships we have built with EFMP Managers over time. We strive to be a source of information to EFMP Managers and families, we will be more than happy to work with your EFMP Manager and assist if you have questions or concerns.
The family support function of the EFMP does provide direct support, but it is not standardized for all branches. Services provided can vary depending on the service branch and location. More information can be found at your nearest Military Treatment Facility.
STEP 2 – Extended Care Health Option (ECHO)
After registering with the EFMP, the next step involves the Extended Care Health Option (ECHO), which is a TRICARE benefit program that is designed specifically to assist military families with the financial burden of providing services for a child or family member with a disability.
STEP 3 – Autism Demonstration Project
Finally, the Autism Demonstration Project is one last supplemental program, and is even more specialized — this program focuses only on children of active duty service members who suffer from an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Retirees are not eligible at this time for the Autism Demonstration Project.