Under a policy implemented last year, service members and their eligible dependents may receive uninsured reproductive health care services if timely access to them is not available near the service member's full-time station. Travel/transportation expenses may be approved.
“For example, this may include a military member traveling from a home station in one state or overseas location to a state where uninsured reproductive health care services are available, and then returning home to that home station. “It's possible,” said Sabrina, a deputy spokeswoman for the Pentagon. Mr. Singh during today's briefing.
Singh added that the policy was used 12 times across the service from June to December 2023, and the total cost to the department during that time was approximately $45,000.
Singh also pointed out that although the policy was used 12 times, this does not mean that the policy was used by 12 individuals. Instead, she said, individuals may have used the insurance multiple times.
Another policy that went into effect last year allows service members to take administrative leave from their regular duty station for up to 21 days without being asked for leave to host or accompany a dual military spouse or dependent. Absenteeism is permitted. People receiving reproductive health care not covered by insurance.
These non-covered reproductive treatments may include egg retrieval, ovarian stimulation, intrauterine insemination, in vitro fertilization, and non-covered abortions.
To enable service members to access these types of uninsured reproductive health care services, the Department may pay travel expenses, but the actual cost of the health care services is paid by the service members themselves. .
“These policies ensure service members and their families have the time and flexibility to make civilian health care decisions and support access to uncompensated reproductive health care regardless of where they are stationed. '' said Singh.
