Health Net's ECHO kit to help military families maximize the health care benefits

Sep 5 2009

Health Net Federal Services, LLC, the government operations division of Health Net, Inc. (NYSE:HNT), today announced its newly developed Extended Care Health Option (ECHO) kit for service members and their families in the TRICARE North Region, designed to provide user-friendly, educational information to enhance understanding of the ECHO program. TRICARE’s ECHO program provides financial assistance to eligible beneficiaries who qualify based on specific mental or physical disabilities, and offers an integrated set of services and supplies that supplement the basic TRICARE program.

“The ECHO kit is designed to help military families easily navigate the program requirements and maximize the health care benefits offered for their children with special needs,” said Steve Tough, president, Health Net Federal Services. “This is one more example of our commitment to listen to our beneficiaries’ needs and respond with meaningful solutions and resources.”

Inside the kit is a personalized wallet-sized card with the name and contact information of a Health Net ECHO coordinator who will personally assist the beneficiary and his or her family with the program. Important program details are clearly organized by benefits, registration, cost and caps, and frequently asked questions.

The kit was developed through a collaborative effort among Health Net’s ECHO subject matter experts, TRICARE Regional Office North, Army MEDCOM Office of the Surgeon General, Fort Campbell Exceptional Family Members Program staff and the Fort Campbell Chief of Managed Care. Tough noted, “The collaboration with our government customer and those on the ground implementing this program was instrumental in ensuring an accurate and helpful resource for the families that use this benefit in the North region.”

The ECHO program is a supplemental benefit beyond the basic TRICARE military health care program, providing services and supplies to reduce the disabling effects of the qualifying condition or disorder. Benefits include Applied Behavioral Analysis Therapy, services for military children with autism, training to use assistive technology devices, vocational support, private transportation, durable equipment, skilled home nursing, respite care and assistive services, such as a qualified interpreter or translator. ECHO is available to Active Duty Family Members who meet the qualifications of a specific physical, developmental and/or mental disability.

Health Net Federal Services began distributing the kit earlier this month to approximately 1,800 beneficiaries enrolled in the ECHO program and will continue to distribute the kit to all newly registered ECHO beneficiaries.