HOW MILITARY FAMILIES MAY BE ABLE TO SAVE ON THEIR INFERTILITY TREATMENT

Your TRICARE insurance offers limited coverage for the following reproductive services: 

• Some diagnostic tests
• Treatment of a reproductive system illness or injury 
• Erectile dysfunction with a physical cause

Other fertility treatments, including intrauterine insemination (IUI), in-vitro fertilization (IVF), and egg or sperm preservation are generally not covered under TRICARE insurance. Certain exceptions may be made for service members injured on active duty. 

View a full list of covered fertility services on the TRICARE website. 

As a military family, you or your partner can receive fertility treatments like IUI or IVF at a military treatment facility (MTF). You will still be responsible for out-of-pocket expenses, but your cost will be less than services conducted at a non-military clinic. In fact, the estimated cost per IVF cycle was $5,000—considerably less than the typical civilian costs. 

There are six major MTFs in the US that can handle ART treatments, in collaboration with civilian partner organizations:

• Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD
• San Antonio Military Medical Center, San Antonio, TX
• Naval Medical Center, San Diego, CA
• Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, WA
• Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, HI
• Womack Army Medical Center, Fayetteville, NC

With only six facilities providing ART services, access is limited, and wait times may take up to 1 year. 

Smaller MTFs are also available throughout the country and may be able to assist with non-ART fertility treatments. 

Many clinics, medication manufacturers, and fertility professionals (including lawyers and psychological counselors) offer discount coverage to military families, like the Compassionate Care Program. These savings typically range from 10% to 25%, but can be as high as 75% for eligible military families.

See a full list of discount programs at Resolve.org.

There are expanded benefits available for military personnel who are infertile as a result of a service-related injury. The Wounded Warrior Project can help you file for benefits.

The makers of fertility medications may also offer savings programs for certain eligible patients who have been wounded in service, like the Compassionate Corps Program. Information can usually be found on the drug manufacturer’s website.