Need info on EFMP and command sponsorship

[cg~gunswife]

Originally Posted by villanelle

Until things change and the military is no longer responsible for providing care, then they have a vested interest in the spouse's health history, because they are required to provide treatment.

People on these boards would be all up in arms if the military refused to pay for transportation for a spouse who needed to be flown somewhere to get treatment. If one of us had cancer in Japan and couldn't get the necessary treatment here and treatment in town wasn't covered, can you imagine the stink of the military said they were on their own for plane tickets to go to the States? Or to pay out of pocket to go to a civilian doctor in a country where they speak another language and there isn't a specialist who takes Tricare? Or if they said that even though you are in mental health crisis and having suicidal thoughts, they couldn't get you in to see a therapist for 8-9 months because they were full past capacity?

It's can't be both ways. We can't require them to cover these things and then say that our health history is none of their business. And having them cover those things is by far the lessor of those 2 evils.

Agree 100%

[Agirl]

I know it has been awhile, but thought I would throw in some of my experience with this for others in similiar situations....

If you are not command sponsored you will be authorized Tricare Standard (overseas).

Step 1.) Call Tricare in the region you want to PCS to. Don't look this up online, actually call them for the most accurate information. Tell them you will have Tricare STANDARD and want to know if there are any facilities off base that can cover your condition. They will research and get back to you with Names Addresses and Phone numbers of off base doctors as well as whether or not they require a translator (most do, but not that expensive to get one.)

Step 2.) Call the terminal at the base and ask to speak to the immigrations section. These are the guys that put SOFA stamps in passports (This is your ability to stay in the country). In Japan you do not need command sponsorship for SOFA stamp, but don't know about other regions. So CALL. Tell them you are not command sponsored and need SOFA status. If there are other dependents your spouse will be authorized an accompanied tour...in which case you will be on the orders with an annotation of medical denial. Present orders and I.D to get your stamp. If not on the orders because he lost accompanied tour with your denial, you will need further documentation. Refer to step 3.

3.) Call the base legal office and confirm the rules for being there without sponsorship. Immigrations will require a letter from spouses command if you are not on orders. It should indicate that you receive over 50% of support from spouse. (again, this is Japan protocol so make the calls and find out area specific information.)

4.) Get your own passport and plane ticket and enjoy the tour.

Note: If spouse does not have other dependents and loses accompanied authorization due to denial, it will be a very expensive investment to go. Not impossible, but expensive. Make sure you research all costs and lack of base housing, COLA etc.

[kathleen524]

See where are a little different being Navy, they have categories I think there are 6 of them. My son is a category 4 in the EFMP. He has a heart condition that required surgery. He is no longer on any meds or any limitations but does have a follow up every year with a pediatric cardiologist. Just that alone is a level 4 in the navy. When my husband was up for orders, hawaii, guam and virginia were available to him. Hawaii and Guam were automatically taken from him due to our son. We have to be within 45 minutes of a dr and major hospital that can handle his situation and we are not allowed to go over seas ever.

I would suggest for you to be prepared to have to enter the EFMP and also I would prepare yourself for being denied. I have hear that they are really denying people for mental health issues.