Respite care

Respite care gives a family caregiver a temporary break; TRICARE's ECHO program offers in-home respite care to eligible primary caregivers.

Applies to: All TRICARE plans · All regions

Respite care is short-term care that lets a family caregiver take a break. TRICARE lists “respite care for primary caregivers” as a benefit of the Extended Care Health Option (ECHO), which serves family members with qualifying special needs.

What TRICARE’s ECHO page says

• It is in-home respite care for primary caregivers. TRICARE’s page lists up to 16 hours per month, or 40 hours per week (8 hours a day, 5 days a week) if the child qualifies for ECHO Home Health Care. You cannot combine the two options.
• TRICARE covers it even when a primary caregiver is not present while care is given.
• It is available only in the U.S., Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
• ECHO benefits must be authorized in advance and provided by a TRICARE-authorized provider; TRICARE does not pay family members for care.

TRICARE separately says it offers special benefits, including respite care, for caregivers of wounded, ill, or injured service members. See caregiver support and the costs of ECHO.

Limits can change, so check TRICARE’s ECHO benefits page.