Affordable fertility treatment is nearly impossible to access nowadays. However, this treatment is necessary for couples who struggle with infertility. Furthermore, this treatment is life changing for same-sex couples wanting to have children. Luckily for service members, the Department of Defense (DoD) is expanding their coverage for the IVF treatment cost. This comes an an effort to offer more inclusivity to military healthcare services.
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Lawsuit Creates Expanded IVF Policy For Same-Sex and Unmarried Troops
This change in policy by the DoD was brought about following a lawsuit in August 2023. The Yale Law School Veterans Legal Services Clinic, the National Veterans Legal Services Program, and the National Organization for Women filed a lawsuit against the DoD and the Department of Veteran Affairs. They are alleging that their IVF coverage policies were discriminatory against unmarried and same-sex troops. This led to the IVF treatment cost being higher for these individuals.
With the previous policy, only married couples who could provide their own sperm and eggs were eligible for the IVF process. Additionally, troops whose infertility had relation to service injuries were able to go through the IVF process at no cost.
This excludes all troops who are not in a marriage and those in same-sex relationships. The policy further excludes those who need to use donor sperm or donor eggs.
Also in the lawsuit, the suing parties argued that these previous policies violated the Affordable Care Act. The Affordable Care Act pros and cons can vary; however, a pro is that this act prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex. By barring same-sex couples from receiving IVF treatment, the previous policy by the DoD was discriminating on the basis of sex.
Under the new policy expansion, the DoD does not require marriage or that they use their own sperm and eggs. The removal of these requirements opens up eligibility for coverage of the IVF treatment cost to include troops who are not in a marriage, those in same-sex relationships, and individuals unable to use their own sperm and eggs.
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Why This IVF Treatment Cost Policy Change Is a Big Win
Many couples need IVF treatment to build families. Additionally, this care is very expensive. When asking the question, “How much is fertility treatment?” couples are often have an overall IVF treatment cost of about $10,500 to $30,000.
This is only the cost for one cycle, and all cycles of fertility treatment do not guarantee a healthy pregnancy and baby. Following that answer, people’s next question is often “Does insurance cover fertility treatment?”
For many service members, that answer is “no.” Now, under the new policy, many are receiving insurance assistance with fertility treatment and IVF treatment cost.
The Next Steps With Military Fertility Treatment Policies
While the DoD has changed their policies, the Department of Veteran Affairs is still reviewing its policies. The current policies only cover heterosexual married couples and treatment at a military fertility treatment center.
For patients paying out of pocket, the IVF treatment cost can be a barrier to starting a family. To make things harder, there are only six IVF military treatment facilities. Furthermore, troops must use their vacation time or get permission for leave.
Despite these barriers, troops who simply delay child-rearing and need IVF because military life demands are ineligible for treatment.
While the progressive inclusiveness in military policy coverage of the IVF treatment cost should be applauded, Sonia Ossorio, the National Organization for Women-NYC’s executive director said the organization “will continue to challenge DoD and VA to remove all discriminatory barriers so that each and every service member and Veteran who needs this reproductive care can access it.”
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