Posted on Dec 1, 2019
Is it possible to get Command Sponsorship for OCONUS if the HRC did not recommend you for travel because of EFMP?
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For the basic background, I have been taking a low dose of Zoloft for generalized depression/anxiety. I started the drug in April but have been doing pretty well on it. My husband received orders OCONUS and the HRC denied me stating my diagnosis was not stable yet and they do not have the services. My doctor said I was ok to continue with just seeing a primary care physician but the HRC is saying that a PCP cannot provide this care which is silly because my PCP was providing my care just fine. She even said so in a letter but they denied the appeal too. My husband's orders were then processed as unaccompanied. I am staying with him overseas at the moment but have to leave after 90 days because of immigration requirements. Can I still get Command Sponsorship even though the HRC did not recommend travel?
Posted in these groups: 
Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP)
Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP)
Posted 5 y ago
Responses: 5
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Ashley Marie No. Unfortunately that is the process. The conversation has to be between the gaining medical treatment facility (MTF) provider and the losing provider. HRC is just going off the medical decision. The gaining MTF is saying they don't have the ability to treat you in the location. Until they come off that, it will be no. Work with your existing provider and the patient advocate to make the case directly to the other MTF's EFMP manager. They may be looking for a specific time period to determine that you are stable with the right mix of treatment and medication. Ask those specific questions. Once you hit that threshold, have your soldier reapply for command sponsorship. If approved, the orders will be amended and the tour extended to the command sponsored duration. What doesn't seem like a big thing for your CONuS provider, may be treatment unavailable in a remote place in Eastern Europe or South Korea.
The reason why this program was established and keeps expanding to cover more family health issues is that the Army is trying to avoid undue hardship on your family, the service member, and the unit chain of command. Lack of family readiness is the single largest reason soldiers redeploy. There has to be a reasonable expectation that once deployed they can complete their obligations and mission. This is one safety valve among others.
The reason why this program was established and keeps expanding to cover more family health issues is that the Army is trying to avoid undue hardship on your family, the service member, and the unit chain of command. Lack of family readiness is the single largest reason soldiers redeploy. There has to be a reasonable expectation that once deployed they can complete their obligations and mission. This is one safety valve among others.
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Were you married prior to the assignment? Were you enrolled in EFMP prior to the assignment?
If the answer to these questions is yes, then starting 1 Jan 2019, HRC must give your husband 3 duty station choices to which you have a week before making a decision to ensure services are available at the location.
If the answer to these questions is yes, then starting 1 Jan 2019, HRC must give your husband 3 duty station choices to which you have a week before making a decision to ensure services are available at the location.
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Ashley Marie
We were married after he was selected but before the orders were formally issued. He very much wanted this assignment for location and promotion potential since his previous location was a one off type of job that wasn't helping him very much with promotion. They did not give us 3 choices. We were told to either turn down the orders and possibly just retire out where he was at (or hopefully pick up something the next time assignment possibilities came out) or go unaccompanied.
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HRC doesn't deny EFMP, it's the gaining location hospital services who state they can't support your EFMP. Your PCM is not a Psychiatrist, so they are unqualified to make a recommendation of a psychiatric nature such as stating that you are stable or that one medicine has or will suffice for the remainder of your spouse's tour overseas.
HRC can't overrule the local command when they state they can't support a certain EFMP or dependant. EFMP acceptance is required before HRC can process a command sponsorship.
Now, on the good side, you don't have to spend the next two years without your spouse. Your spouse can request a compassionate reassignment unless the location is normally an unaccompanied location like Korea.
Don't stay where you are too long, remember that you are a visitor and not a sponsored family member so Tricare will not cover you if you are injured and you have no legal protections that your spouse has under the SOFA of that country.
HRC can't overrule the local command when they state they can't support a certain EFMP or dependant. EFMP acceptance is required before HRC can process a command sponsorship.
Now, on the good side, you don't have to spend the next two years without your spouse. Your spouse can request a compassionate reassignment unless the location is normally an unaccompanied location like Korea.
Don't stay where you are too long, remember that you are a visitor and not a sponsored family member so Tricare will not cover you if you are injured and you have no legal protections that your spouse has under the SOFA of that country.
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Ashley Marie
We're here at the moment but I believe I can only stay 90 days out of 180. I already have a return ticket booked to the US so I don't violate any immigration laws. I definitely don't want to get into any trouble. I'm also looking into GS jobs and/or my own Visa to stay in the country legally. As far as Tricare goes, they helped us get enrolled in Select but I will likely have to see a doctor on the economy and there are deductibles and such.
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