TRICARE Respite Care: 2026 Coverage & Limits | TRICARE.com

## Quick answer TRICARE provides respite care, which offers short-term rest for primary caregivers of ill or injured beneficiaries. This benefit is generally limited to Active Duty Service Members (ADSMs) and their families enrolled in the Extended Care Health Option (ECHO), or those receiving the TRICARE Hospice benefit.

## Details TRICARE does not offer a "general" respite care benefit for all retirees or family members. Instead, it is a highly specialized benefit tied to specific health programs. Note: TRICARE.com is an independent reference site; for official policy and enrollment, visit [TRICARE.mil](https://www.tricare.mil).

### 1. Respite Care under ECHO The Extended Care Health Option (ECHO) provides financial assistance specifically to Active Duty family members with qualifying mental or physical disabilities. * **The Benefit:** Up to 16 hours of respite care per month. * **Utilization:** These hours can be used to allow the primary caregiver to sleep, run errands, or rest while a qualified provider cares for the beneficiary. * **Unused Hours:** Hours do not roll over to the next month. * **Costs (2026):** There is no separate copay for respite care itself, but beneficiaries must pay the monthly ECHO cost-share, which is based on the sponsor's pay grade (ranging from $0 to $250+ depending on rank).

### 2. Respite Care for Seriously Ill or Injured (TAMP) Active duty members who are seriously ill or injured (as defined by the military) may qualify for "Home Health Respite Care." * **Limit:** Up to 8 hours per day, 5 days per week. * **Qualification:** This is typically managed through Case Management and is reserved for those who are homebound and require frequent interventions from a caregiver.

### 3. Hospice Respite Care For beneficiaries (including retirees) who have elected the TRICARE Hospice benefit: * **The Benefit:** Occasional "respite care" to provide a break for the person who normally cares for the patient at home. * **Location:** Usually provided in an inpatient setting (hospital or hospice facility). * **Duration:** Up to 5 consecutive days at a time. * **2026 Rates:** Cost-shares vary by plan year and beneficiary status—check with Humana Military (East) or TriWest (West) for current hospice cost-share tables.

### 4. What is NOT covered TRICARE does not cover respite care for: * Standard TRICARE Prime or Select beneficiaries who are not in ECHO or Hospice. * Caregivers who "just need a break" without a qualifying clinical disability or terminal diagnosis. * Babysitting or long-term custodial care.

## Who this affects * **Active Duty Families:** Specifically those enrolled in the ECHO program. * **Seriously Ill/Injured ADSMs:** Those requiring home health interventions. * **Terminally Ill Beneficiaries:** Anyone (Active Duty or Retiree) utilizing the Hospice benefit. * **Caregivers:** Spouses or parents acting as the primary, unpaid nurse or aid.

## Sources * **TRICARE.mil:** [ECHO Respite Care](https://www.tricare.mil/ECHO/Respite) * **Defense Health Agency (DHA):** [TRICARE Hospice Benefit](https://www.tricare.mil/hospice) * **TriWest Healthcare Alliance:** [West Region Provider Handbook](https://www.triwest.com) * **Humana Military:** [East Region ECHO Guidelines](https://www.humanamilitary.com)