Pentagon Launches 3-Year Fertility Pilot Covering Up to $10,000 for Troops

3 articles · Updated · Military Times · Aug 13

September’s pilot will reimburse eligible service members for freezing gametes before hazardous deployments or separations of 180 days or more, with annual caps of $10,000 for eggs and $500 for sperm.
The Defense Department said the benefit, mandated by the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, applies to active-duty troops with hazardous-duty orders, expected qualifying orders within 120 days, or long separations from a spouse or partner.
Military treatment facilities and civilian clinics can provide the services, but troops need command validation and must file itemized claims within 120 days after covered services begin.
The three-year program revives a 2016 Pentagon plan that never took effect and follows years of lobbying by military families and fertility advocates for government-backed preservation options.
DoD will track demand, cost, feasibility and readiness effects during the pilot, which addresses long-standing concerns that combat injuries and deployments can jeopardize future family-building.