Extended Care Health Option

The Extended Care Health Option or ECHO is a supplemental coverage program offered by TRICARE to dependents of members of the uniformed services of the United States with a qualifying disability.

ECHO benefits are available with a qualifying condition to a TRICARE-eligible child or spouse of an active duty uniformed service member.

In addition to other TRICARE ECHO benefits, beneficiaries who are homebound may qualify for extended in-home health care services.

The $2,500 cost share does not apply to the ECHO Home Health Care (EHHC) as there is a benefit cap.

Department of Defense regulations for the ECHO program are found at 32 CFR 199.5 after being published in the August 20, 2004 Federal Register (69 FR 51559).