Skip to main content

Military Health System

Ensuring Access to Reproductive Health Care

The DOD recognizes the complexity and uncertainty facing service members in accessing reproductive health care, to include abortion care. They also recognize health care providers may have concerns about legal and financial risks they may face carrying out their lawful federal duties. Service members may be forced to travel greater distances, take more time off work, and pay more out-of-pocket expenses to access reproductive health care.

Ensuring Access to Reproductive Health Care

DOD Policies

Following the Oct. 20, 2022, memorandum, "Ensuring Access to Reproductive Health Care,” the DOD has released policies on:

  • Command notification of pregnancy.
  • Administrative absence for non-covered reproductive health care.
  • Travel allowances for non-covered reproductive health care.

As Secretary Austin has made clear, the health and well-being of our Service members, the civilian workforce, and DOD families are top priorities for the Department. These new policies:

  • Reflect the DOD’s commitment to taking care of our people.
  • Ensure that the entire Force remains ready and resilient.
  • Ensure service members are able to access non-covered reproductive health care, no matter where they are located.

In the table below, please find links to the policies on the Official Website for DOD Issuances and a fact sheet that explains what it means for you. For an overview of all the policies, please see the Policy Overview Fact Sheet.

Topic  Description Links
Command Notification of Pregnancy 

Provides Service members the time and flexibility to make private health care decisions in a manner consistent with the responsibility of commanders to meet operational requirements and protect the health and safety of those in their care.

Service members may choose to delay pregnancy notification to commanders but must notify no later than 20 weeks gestation. 

PolicyFact Sheet

Administrative Absence for Non-Covered Reproductive Health Care 

Service members may be granted an administrative absence for a period of up to 21 days to receive, or to accompany a dual military spouse or a dependent who receives, non-covered reproductive health care without taking leave.

Service members may need to disclose a minimum amount of health information necessary for commanders to authorize the administrative absence. 

PolicyFact Sheet
Official Travel for Non-Covered Reproductive Health Care 

Authorizes travel and transportation allowances for a Service member or an eligible dependent, and for an attendant or escort if a Service member or eligible dependent is incapable of traveling alone, who must travel to access non-covered reproductive health care and would otherwise have to pay for that travel themselves. 

PolicyFact Sheet

Frequently Asked Questions

We've provided answers to some commonly asked questions with regard to reproductive health care. The answers here are intended to provide a general overview of departmental policies and are not intended to alter or amend those policies. The answers in this document are intended to apply broadly to the Force as a whole and the term “Service member” is used with that intent. When there is a meaningful distinction between the Active and Reserve component, more specific terms are used to highlight and clarify the distinction.

View the FAQs Online Download a PDF Version

Related Service Links

Need Help Accessing Reproductive Health Care?

Contact Us and tell us about your challenge. Please allow 3-5 business days for a response.

You also may be interested in...

What is Contraception?

Video
3/13/2023
What is Contraception?

Capt. Kelly Elmore, Ob/Gyn and Chief of Staff at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, explains what is contraception. Walk-in contraceptive services are now available at military hospitals and clinics. No referral or appointment is required. Learn more and find clinic locations here: https://www.tricare.mil/walkincontraceptiveservices

Recommended Content:

Women's Health

Benefits & Side Effects of Hormonal Birth Control

Video
3/13/2023
Benefits & Side Effects of Hormonal Birth Control

Capt. Kelly Elmore, Ob/Gyn and Chief of Staff at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, explains some benefits and side effects of hormonal birth control. Walk-in contraceptive services are now available at military hospitals and clinics. No referral or appointment is required. Learn more and find clinic locations here: https://www.tricare.mil/walkincontraceptiveservices

Recommended Content:

Women's Health

What is Hormonal Birth Control?

Video
3/13/2023
What is Hormonal Birth Control?

Capt. Kelly Elmore, OB/GYN and Chief of Staff at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, explains hormonal birth control. Walk-in contraceptive services are now available at military hospitals and clinics. No referral or appointment is required. Learn more and find clinic locations here: https://www.tricare.mil/walkincontraceptiveservices

Recommended Content:

Women's Health

Benefits of Hormonal Birth Control

Video
3/13/2023
Benefits of Hormonal Birth Control

Capt. Kelly Elmore, OB/GYN and Chief of Staff at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, explains some benefits hormonal birth control. Walk-in contraceptive services are now available at military hospitals and clinics. No referral or appointment is required. Learn more and find clinic locations here: https://www.tricare.mil/walkincontraceptiveservices

Recommended Content:

Women's Health

Walk-in Contraception Services at Military Medical Treatment Facilities

DHA Publication
2/8/2023

Policy Number: 6025.09

Establishes the Defense Health Agency’s (DHA) procedures for implementation of walk-in contraception services at all Military Medical Treatment Facilities (MTF), for Active Duty members of the Armed Forces and for eligible beneficiaries of the Military Health System (MHS) on a space available basis.

Recommended Content:

Women's Health

Reproductive Health: Covered Abortions

FAQs
2/16/2023

The following questions and answers are related to Covered Abortions.

Recommended Content:

Access to Reproductive Health

Reproductive Health: Contraceptives

FAQs
2/16/2023

The following questions and answers are related to Contraceptives.

Recommended Content:

Access to Reproductive Health

Reproductive Health: Considerations for Medical Providers

FAQs
2/16/2023

The following questions and answers are related to Medical Providers.

Recommended Content:

Access to Reproductive Health

Reproductive Health: Travel and Transportation Allowances for Non-Covered Reproductive Health Care

FAQs
2/16/2023

The following questions and answers are related to Travel and Transportation Allowances for Non-Covered Reproductive Health Care.

Recommended Content:

Access to Reproductive Health

Reproductive Health: Administrative Absence for Non-Covered Reproductive Health Care, Regular Leave, and Special Liberty

FAQs
2/16/2023

The following questions and answers are related to Non-Covered Reproductive Health Care, Regular Leave, and Special Liberty

Recommended Content:

Access to Reproductive Health

Reproductive Health: Command Notification of Pregnancy

FAQs
2/16/2023

The following questions and answers are related to command notification of pregnancy.

Recommended Content:

Access to Reproductive Health

Reproductive Health: Secretary of Defense Oct. 20, 2022 Memorandum

FAQs
2/16/2023

Questions from the Force on Essential Women's Health Care Services for Service Members, Dependents, Beneficiaries, and Department of Defense Civilian Employees

Recommended Content:

Access to Reproductive Health

DOD Releases Policies to Ensure Access to Non-Covered Reproductive Health Care

Article Around MHS
2/16/2023
A captain deploys, while pregnant wife stays home

The Department of Defense has released the directed policies on command notification of pregnancy, administrative absence for non-covered reproductive health care, and travel allowances for non-covered reproductive health care.

Recommended Content:

Women's Health | Ensuring Access to Reproductive Health Care

Frequently Asked Questions on Reproductive Health Care

Publication
2/16/2023

On Oct. 20, 2022, the Secretary of Defense released a memorandum, “Ensuring Access to Reproductive Health Care,” directing the Department take a series of actions to ensure Service members and their families can access non-covered reproductive health care. On Feb. 16, 2023, the Department of Defense released those directed policies, which will be effective no later than 30 days from Feb. 16, 2023.

Recommended Content:

Women's Health

Travel for Non-Covered Reproductive Health Care Services

Fact Sheet
2/15/2023

This regulation ensures Service members and eligible dependents are eligible for travel and transportation allowances to access non-covered reproductive health care services when timely access to non-covered reproductive health care services is not available within the local area of the member’s permanent duty station, temporary duty location, or the last location the dependent was transported on authorized government orders.

Recommended Content:

Women's Health | Contraceptive Care | Access to Reproductive Health | Ensuring Access to Reproductive Health Care
<< < 1 2 3 4 5  ... > >> 
Showing results 1 - 15 Page 1 of 7
Last Updated: March 27, 2023
Follow us on Instagram Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on YouTube Sign up on GovDelivery