Are you considering having children? If you’re trying to get pregnant, but haven’t been able to, you may have questions about how  TRICARE can help. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, infertility is defined as being unable to get pregnant after one year of  unprotected sex.

Any person can present with conditions that play a role in infertility. Do you think you or your partner may be  dealing with infertility? We encourage you to learn about your diagnosis and treatment options. 

Infertility diagnosis 

First, talk to your primary care manager (PCM) or gynecologist. They’ll ask questions about your medical history. They may refer you  to a reproductive endocrinologist for more tests or exams. If medically necessary, TRICARE covers certain diagnostic tests for  infertility. These may include: 

• Semen analysis 
• Hormone evaluation 
• Chromosomal, immunologic, and imaging studies 
• Special and sperm function tests 
• Bacteriologic investigation 

Sometimes, there may be an underlying physical cause to the infertility. TRICARE covers treatments to correct these types of physical  causes. Check with your regional contractor before getting these services. You may need to get pre-authorization, regardless of what  TRICARE health plan you have. 

Assisted reproductive technology services 

Some people seek assisted reproductive technology (ART) services to overcome their infertility. 

ART services at military hospitals and clinics 

Although TRICARE doesn’t cover ART services, these services are available on a first-come, first-serve basis at a greatly reduced  cost.

They’re available from eight military hospitals that have obstetrics and gynecology reproductive endocrinology and infertility  graduate medical education programs.  

ART services for severely ill or injured service members 

Are you a service member who got a serious or severe illness or injury while on active duty? Did it result in your inability to have  children without the use of ART? You may be eligible for coverage of these services under the extended benefit of the Supplemental  Health Care Program (SHCP). Qualifying service members may receive ART services, including the following, at no cost: 

• Sperm retrieval 
• Egg retrieval 
• In-vitro fertilization (IVF) 
• Intrauterine insemination (IUI) 
• Blastocyst implantation 
• Cryopreservation and storage of embryos 

In March, the DOD UPDATES ITS POLICY ON ART for these qualifying service members. Now, in addition to the qualifying service  member and their spouse, the following people may also get ART services for the service member’s benefit: 

• TRICARE-enrolled unmarried partners 
• TRICARE-enrolled third-party gestational carriers (if not being paid) 

Are you a qualifying service member, their TRICARE-enrolled spouse or partner, or gestational carrier?

You may also use donor  sperm, eggs, or embryos that are paid out-of-pocket with any of the included ART services. Such service members also receive  priority when seeking this care through any of the military hospital programs listed above. 

Do you have questions about infertility diagnosis or treatment?

Ask your doctor at your next appointment. And no matter what your  family planning goals are, learn more about how TRICARE covers men’s health and women’s health services.

*For more from DHA/TRICARE, please visit their M:M Expert Page.