If you medically retire, can you keep tricare echo?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 May 2023 08:55:27 -0400

My husband is AD and he is potentially going to medically retire. I know that he will be able to keep his tricare benefits, but our biggest worry is our children. Our oldest is diagnosed with level 2 ASD (he’s autistic) and currently he is receiving ABA therapy and enrolled in tricare echo. he really needs to continue receiving ABA and it is not cheap by any means if we were to have to pay out of pocket - he currently receives 20 hours a week and it bills at like $140 an hour. currently, it is completely covered by tricare echo. Should my husband move forward with retirement, will we be able to keep tricare echo? I tried looking on the tricare website to see eligibility, and on here to see if anyone has asked this question before, but I couldn’t find any information on this. I am hoping someone has experience in this? Thank you for any information you can give!

Response by LTC Kevin B. made May 23 at 2023 9:06 AM

LTC Kevin B. — Tue, 23 May 2023 09:06:59 -0400

It looks like you lose ECHO upon retirement (except for the period of being in the Transitional Assistance Management Program). However, Tricare now covers ABA therapy. We retired in 2011 and our son received ABA therapy well after we left active duty. ABA is covered under a provision that lasts until 2028. I expect it will be extended or become permanent after that.

https://www.tricare.mil/CoveredServices/IsItCovered/AppliedBehaviorAnalysis

Applied Behavior Analysis | TRICARE

Explains TRICARE's coverage of Applied Behavior Analysis

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made May 23 at 2023 10:37 AM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Tue, 23 May 2023 10:37:57 -0400

Per the tricare site ECHO doesn't seem to be offered to retirees.

https://www.tricare.mil/Plans/SpecialPrograms/ECHO

Extended Care Health Option | TRICARE