Do you know the difference?

Army Community Service & Medical EFMP

BY CYNTHIA POTTER

ARMY COMMUNITY SERVICE (ACS) EXCEPTIONAL FAMILY MEMBER PROGRAM (EFMP)

Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) is a wraparound service for all Active-Duty service members and their Families that require specialty care. Enrollment in the EFMP program is mandatory. Qualifying factors for enrollment are simple to remember, if specialty care, other than a primary care doctor, is needed more than twice a year or if the family member is a school age dependent with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), they must be enrolled in EFMP. EFMP Medical

EFMP Medical is an integral part of the Permanent Change of Station (PCS) process and is intended to ensure that adequate medical care providers are reasonably available when transitioning to a new duty station. This is especially important when PCSing overseas and specialty care is needed. This process involves five years of medical history, a physical by a primary care doctor, an Overseas Screening by EFMP Medical and a packet to be sent to the gaining installation for consideration and decision for command sponsorship. The overseas gaining installation EFMP office will review the documentation contained in the packet and return their decision based on several factors; some of these may include the availability of required specialists, wait list times, etc. Army Community Service EFMP

Army Community Service (ACS) EFMP provides family support services to our EFMP enrolled families. These services include assistance with the enrollment process, support groups, IEP and 504 support and advocacy services and community resource referrals. ACS EFMP strives to ensure that continuity of care is upheld when transitioning to a new duty station. They are often involved in warm handoffs between gaining and losing installations. ACS EFMP sends the requested needs of the outbound EFMP enrolled family to the gaining installation for preparation of their arrival and provides a point of contact to the Family for EFMP at the new duty station. Now you know the difference! For ACS EFMP questions, please call 915-569-4227 and for EFMP Medical questions, call 915-742-3715.