Posted on Nov 15, 2019
Lena Hancock
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I'm newly married and since my husband is in Germany he told me I would have to be enrolled in the EFMP.
The base closest to me is Great Lakes here in Illinois.
I called to see about setting up an appointment to get the ball rolling.
I was told by the matter of fact woman on the other end that I would have to have the EFMP done at the base my husband was attached to.
Incredulous at this, I explained that my husband was stationed in Baumholder Germany.
Her response was a very flat, "Mmhmm".
As in, yes, you will have to fly all the way to Germany for a physical and paperwork.
No help whatsoever.

I relayed this bit of news to my husband who immediately went to people in departments who handle the EFMP and I was put in touch with a lovely woman at Fort Campbell who tried everything she knew, plus two ladies I talked with directly at Tricare who gave me lists of doctors near me, and a rep at militaryonesource who didn't know who to refer me to except the very same place I started at.
One of the proposed solutions was to have my PCM do the EFMP, but they have to be certified from what was explained to me and unfortunately, there seem to be no doctors near me who are certified or even know what an EFMP is.
The people at Tricare cannot tell you which Physicians are certified because their system does not show them that information.
I had to explain it to ten plus different doctors office receptionists and was told by several that the only exams and paperwork they did was for tractor trailer drivers and Air Force pilots.

To be honest, since doing my own research into trying to resolve the issue I've run across more stories from enlisted as well as their family members about just how much more trouble the EFMP has caused than they have seen of its proposed benefits.
It's not inspiring me to want to keep beating this dead horse back to life.

The only real health issue I have is migraines, which I have managed quite well by making diet and lifestyle changes as well as eliminating triggers.
This whole process has become a migraine trigger for me now.
Is it bad that I feel like punching the wall every time I think about it?

Has anyone else, enlisted or spouse had issues like this and did they find a solution?

Anything is greatly, immensely appreciated and have a wonderful day.
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Responses: 2
SFC Retention Operations Nco
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Doing EFMP away from an Army base as a follow on to your spouse is always a giant headache. I ran into the same problems bringing my kids to Okinawa with me after I had already PCS'ed and it took about six months. My kids were at an Air Force base at the time.
Go to your closest base and set up the EFMP screening for yourself. It's just a quick interview with a doctor. Of course, they may tell you no, just tell them you simply need the doctor to fill it out, not process it. Then that has to be sent to the nearest Army base for an Army doc to review. Then they send that off to Germany where it will be sent to the local hospital or EFMP section. They will determine if they can support you medically. Then they will send an acceptance letter to your husband. Once he has that, he can then apply for command sponsorship of you. That last part usually takes only a month.
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SFC Communications Chief (S6)
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Mere interservice bickering. Navy doesnt want to do the legwork for non navy. My wife went through similar with whidbey.
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