Supplemental Insurance for Military who Adopt

By on 2-16-2012 in PostAdoption Resources

Supplemental Insurance for Military who Adopt

Most kids who are internationally adopted need extra health care. Part of prospective adoptive parent preparation is being aware of resources. Hat tip to a reader who passed this information on to us about the Extended Care Health Option (ECHO) for active Military. See here.


This may help with some of the postplacement , special needs costs, but as for the segment of behavioral health coverage, you should not assume that all typical needs of the international adoptee are covered.

From the website:

“Qualifying conditions include:

  • Moderate or severe mental retardation
  • A serious physical disability
  • A physical or psychological condition that causes the beneficiary to be homebound.”

“Extended Care Health Option (ECHO) benefits may include:

  • Medical and rehabilitative services
  • Training to use assistive technology devices
  • Special education
  • Institutional care when a residential environment is required
  • Transportation for institutionalized beneficiaries to receive authorized ECHO benefits.
  • Assistive services, such as those from a qualified interpreter or translator
  • Durable equipment, including adaptation and maintenance
  • In-home medical services through ECHO Home Health Care (EHHC)
  • In-home respite care services
    • ECHO respite care: 16 hours per month when receiving other authorized ECHO benefits
    • EHHC respite care: up to 40 hours per week (eight hours per day, five days per week) for those who qualify
    • Only one can be used in the same calendar month, they cannot be used together.
    • Only available in the 50 United States, The District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
  • Educational Interventions for Autism Spectrum Disorders (EIA) services through the Enhanced Access to Autism Services Demonstration

REFORM Puzzle Piece

One Comment

  1. It would be even better if they expanded this to children with mental health issues and emotional impairments as well.

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *