Blog Post: Affordable Fertility Preservation Options for Military Families
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The decision to serve in the military is a noble and selfless one, but it often comes with sacrifices and challenges for military families. One of these challenges is the difficulty in starting or expanding a family due to the demands of military life. With deployments, frequent moves, and the possibility of injury or death, many military families struggle to prioritize and plan for their future fertility. However, there are affordable fertility preservation options available for military families that can help them to achieve their dreams of parenthood.
What is Fertility Preservation?
Fertility preservation is the process of saving or protecting a person’s reproductive potential for future use. This can be done through various methods, such as freezing eggs, sperm, or embryos, or preserving ovarian or testicular tissue. Fertility preservation is especially important for military families who may face challenges in starting a family due to the physical and emotional toll of military service.
Affordable Fertility Preservation Options for Military Families
1. Department of Defense (DoD) Fertility Preservation Benefit
In 2016, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) implemented a policy that provides coverage for fertility preservation for active duty members of the military. This benefit covers the cost of sperm and egg freezing for service members facing deployment or training that may impact their fertility, as well as for those with certain medical conditions. The coverage also includes the cost of storage for up to two years.
2. Tricare Coverage for Fertility Treatments
Tricare, the military’s health insurance program, offers coverage for fertility treatments such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) for active duty service members and their spouses. This coverage includes up to six cycles of IVF, as well as medications and other related services. While the coverage does not specifically include fertility preservation, it can help military families to afford the cost of fertility treatments that may be needed in the future.
Affordable Fertility Preservation Options for Military Families
3. Military Family Building Programs
There are several organizations that offer fertility preservation and family building programs specifically for military families. These programs may offer discounted or free services, as well as financial assistance, to help military families preserve their fertility. Some examples include the American Society for Reproductive Medicine’s (ASRM) Military Service Program and the National Military Family Association’s Operation Family Building.
4. Financial Assistance Programs
There are also various financial assistance programs available to help military families afford fertility preservation. For example, the Livestrong Fertility Program offers discounted fertility preservation services to military families. Additionally, organizations such as the Tinina Q. Cade Foundation and the Pay It Forward Fertility Foundation provide grants and financial assistance to those in need of fertility treatments and preservation.
5. Military Discounts
Some fertility clinics and providers offer military discounts for fertility preservation services. It is worth researching and reaching out to different clinics to inquire about any military discounts they may offer. This can help to reduce the cost of fertility preservation for military families.
Why Fertility Preservation is Important for Military Families
Apart from the challenges of military life, there are other reasons why fertility preservation is important for military families. For women, the age at which fertility begins to decline is often earlier than the age at which they may be ready to start a family. For men, age can also affect sperm quality and quantity. By preserving their fertility, military families can increase their chances of having a biological child when they are ready to start a family.
Moreover, military service often involves exposure to dangerous environments and chemicals, which can impact fertility. Injuries and trauma from combat and training can also affect reproductive health. By preserving their fertility before deployment or training, military members can have peace of mind that they have options for starting a family even if they face fertility challenges in the future.
In summary, military families face unique challenges when it comes to starting a family. However, there are affordable fertility preservation options available for them to preserve their reproductive potential. From DoD benefits and Tricare coverage to military family building programs and financial assistance, there are resources and support available to help military families achieve their dreams of parenthood.