TRICARE POLICY CHANGE ON BEDS

Effective Date: April 24, 2025

5.7 Beds that are not medical in nature and used for comfort or convenience (e.g., power or manual lounge beds, sleep-number beds, ordinary beds typically sold as furniture) are excluded. Additionally, safety beds or sleep safe beds that are designed to prevent falls and protect individuals from entanglement and entrapment while in the bed (e.g., Beds by George Haven, Cubby beds) and all accompanying accessories are excluded.

Summary of Changes: 

This manual change clarifies that safety beds are a convenience item and not a medical item and therefore cannot be covered under TRICARE. *Per the Tricare Operations Manual Update Published Date: March 24, 2025  

CONREQ: 23245

Implementation Date: August 18, 2025

Summary of Changes:  This manual change clarifies that safety beds are a convenience item and not a medical item and therefore cannot be covered under TRICARE. 

Effective Date: April 24, 2025

Affected Sections:

• Chap 8 Sect 2.1 -- Durable Equipment (DE): Basic Program
• Chap 9 Sect 14.2 -- Durable Equipment (DE) And Assistive Technology (AT) Devices On Or After January 30, 2015: Extended Care Health Option (ECHO)

We are thrilled to share that the Defense Health Agency has issued a critical policy change to the EHHC Home Health Nursing benefit.

Primary caregivers are now allowed to be employed or pursue education outside the home!

This victory is the result of relentless advocacy by our policy team, in partnership with the Tricare For Kids Coalition, and your voices.

Summary of Changes: 

This change clarifies that Extended Care Health Option (ECHO) Home Health Care (EHHC) services may be provided even if the primary caregiver(s) are absent from the home due to deployment, employment, seeking employment, or to pursue education.  *Per the Tricare Operations Manual Update Published Date: April 25, 2025 

CONREQ:23304

Implementation Date: May 26, 2025

Summary of Changes: This change clarifies that Extended Care Health Option (ECHO) Home Health Care (EHHC) services may be provided even if the primary caregiver(s) are absent from the home due to deployment, employment, seeking employment, or to pursue education.

Effective Date: October 29, 2024

Affected Sections:

• Chap 9 Sect 12.1 -- Extended Care Health Option (ECHO) Respite Care
• Chap 9 Sect 15.1 -- ECHO Home Health Care (EHHC)