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.
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.
|
Policy | Fact 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.
|
Policy | Fact 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.
|
Policy | Fact 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...
Article Around MHS
Jun 20, 2023
June is Men’s Health Month, a time to encourage men to “take the bull by the horns” and focus on their health and wellness.
Article Around MHS
Jun 13, 2023
Walter Reed National Military Medical Center wrapped up Cancer Survivorship Days event, a two-day celebration of life for cancer survivors and their families. The event is in recognition of the 36th annual National Cancer Survivors Day held on June 4, and was held again for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Article Around MHS
Jun 7, 2023
Pelvic floor muscle dysfunction can present with symptoms such as pelvic pain, incontinence, constipation, abdominal weakness, and pelvic organ prolapse. These conditions can significantly impact female service members' physical and emotional health.
Fact Sheet
May 23, 2023
.PDF |
8.73 MB
This patient focused book provides information regarding prenatal visits, nutrition, illness, labor & delivery, and the post-partum period.
Article Around MHS
Apr 28, 2023
“Black Maternal Health Week is a reminder that so many families experience pain, neglect, and loss during what should be one of the most joyous times of their lives. It is an urgent call for action,” states a proclamation signed by President Joe Biden in observance of Black Maternal Health Week 2023, observed April 11-17.
Video
Apr 25, 2023
Ms. Seileen Mullen, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, stopped by DHA headquarters to discuss everyone's role in preventing sexual harassment and assault and DHA's unique role in treating patients after sexual trauma.
Sexual assault is a real problem within our military. Everyone in the military community can play a ...
Article Around MHS
Apr 17, 2023
U.S. Army Col. Theresa Lewis, a registered nurse, spent the last 29 years taking care of soldiers. “I was a private at Fort Stewart and my dream was to return to Fort Stewart to retire there.” She did come back to Fort Stewart as the deputy commander of nursing of Winn Army Community Hospital.
Article Around MHS
Apr 17, 2023
There was a party recently during Blanchfield Army Community Hospital’s breastfeeding support group, Mom & Me. Group moms and babies gathered round in support and a dinosaur birthday cake was nearby. The Mom & Me program connects and provides breastfeeding mothers with lactation consultants.
Article
Mar 20, 2023
HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis drugs, otherwise known as PrEP, are powerful weapons against HIV. Through education and raising awareness of HIV exposures, the risks of getting the disease are lower than ever.
Article
Mar 16, 2023
TRICARE develops pilots and demonstrations to test new medical services, treatments, and approaches. These include initiatives for autism care, childbirth support, and low back pain. Certain groups have the chance to benefit from these services during an evaluation period. Results from these programs may inform future benefit changes.
Article
Mar 1, 2023
This annual update provides rates of incidence and infection of STIs among active component U.S. service members.
Publication
Feb 16, 2023
.PDF |
408.63 KB
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 ...
Article Around MHS
Feb 16, 2023
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.
Fact Sheet
Feb 15, 2023
.PDF |
68.62 KB
This policy clarifies when a Service member’s pregnancy status is shared with commanders, standardizes and extends the timeframe for Service members to inform their commanders about a pregnancy, and reinforces that commanders must always exercise objectivity and discretion when handling reproductive health care issues.
Fact Sheet
Feb 15, 2023
.PDF |
69.42 KB
This policy provides Service members the ability to request an administrative absence from their normal duty stations in order to access, or accompany a dual-military spouse or dependent to access, non-covered reproductive health care without being charged leave.
You are leaving Health.mil
The appearance of hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense of non-U.S. Government sites or the information, products, or services contained therein. Although the Defense Health Agency may or may not use these sites as additional distribution channels for Department of Defense information, it does not exercise editorial control over all of the information that you may find at these locations. Such links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of this website.
You are leaving Health.mil
View the external links disclaimer.
Last Updated: March 14, 2024