Who can participate in this program?
Once the program starts, you may be eligible if you are a member of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Space Force serving on active duty who:
- Has received orders (including deployment orders) for duty for which you may receive hazardous duty pay under section 351 of title 37, United States Code;
- Are likely to receive such orders within the next 120 days; or
- Will, under orders, be geographically separated from a spouse, domestic partner, or dating partner for a period of not less than 180 days, including sea duty.
What is the reason for the demonstration?
Section 709 of the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025, (Public Law 118-159) authorized this program to reimburse service members who qualify for expenses incurred in the retrieval, testing, freezing , shipping, and storage of gametes (sperm or egg). This demonstration project will allow the Department to evaluate participation, cost trends, administrative feasibility, and potential long-term readiness impacts.
More details about the program
No. It isn’t a TRICARE program. It doesn’t provide health care services.
If eligible, you may receive reimbursement for costs for gamete retrieval procedures (including associated medications, laboratory evaluation, and imaging), medical testing required for retrieval and cryopreservation, cryopreservation (i.e., freezing) of gametes, shipping of gametes, and storing gametes in an appropriate private storage facility during the demonstration period.
A list of possible services covered is provided here; anything not included on this list will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
No other services — such as embryo creation, in-vitro fertilization, or other elective procedures — are eligible for reimbursement.
Reimbursement is limited to:
- Up to $500 per year for sperm preservation.
- Up to $10,000 per year for egg preservation.
The one-year period is individualized for each person. It is measured from the first date on which reimbursable services are rendered and includes any other reimbursable costs incurred within the 365-day window.
Services dated prior to program initiation or after program termination are not eligible for reimbursement. This includes new costs for storage or shipment incurred after termination of the program.
To receive reimbursement, you must complete DHA Form 459 . This form will need to be signed by your Commander (or designee) who must attest that you met eligibility criteria at the time services were received.
Reimbursement must be sought within 120 days from the date which services were rendered (e.g., 120 days from the date gamete retrieval, 120 days from the date of laboratory procedure, 120 days from receipt of prescription, etc.) and may be submitted as separate requests throughout the process or as a single consolidated request for reimbursement within 120 days of the completion of gamete retrieval and cryopreservation.
- To receive reimbursement, submit a signed DHA Form 459 along with proof of payment to dha.ncr.medical-affairs.mbx.dha-cryopreservation-demo@health.mil. You must provide complete, itemized invoices reflecting the dates of the services provided for all services submitted for reimbursement.
- Please be sure to remove or block out any personally identifiable information (home addresses, credit card details, banking information, etc.) not relevant to the request for reimbursement.
- Please contain email attachments to less than or equal to 20MB; if the attachments are larger, please send via DOD SAFE.
- If you do not get confirmation of receipt within two business days after submitting, please send a follow-up email to ensure receipt.
- Incomplete forms or forms submitted more than 120 days after the services were rendered to the member will be denied. You will receive reimbursement upon review and processing of required invoices and documentation.
If you meet at least one of the eligibility criteria, you may obtain gamete cryopreservation service(s) from a provider of your selection.
- You are encouraged to visit a participating military hospital, or
- You can go to a civilian fertility clinic. Civilian providers don’t need to be TRICARE-authorized.
Yes. You must complete an advance medical directive. It must state how you want your gametes handled if you die. Consult your local legal services office for assistance in completing an advanced medical directive.
No. Participating in this program won’t affect your eligibility for TRICARE or other military benefits.
Check this page regularly to learn more. You can also:
- Watch for the Federal Register notice.
- Talk to your healthcare provider.
For more information, contact: dha.ncr.medical-affairs.mbx.dha-cryopreservation-demo@health.mil.
