Skip main navigation

Military Health System

Hurricane Milton & Hurricane Helene

Emergency procedures are in place in multiple states due to Hurricane Milton & Hurricane Helene. >>Learn More

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...

Article Around MHS
Sep 5, 2024

Prostate Center at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Leads DOD’s Effort in Prostate Cancer Care

U.S. Navy Cmdr. (Dr.) Gregory Chesnut, prostate center director at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, stresses the importance of early screening in fighting and treating prostate cancer, the most common cancer diagnosed among men in the U.S. (Photo by Bernard Little, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center)

Fred Cohrs is a prostate cancer good news success story. He was a high-risk patient, diagnosed by a biopsy performed at the Alexander T. Augusta Military Medical Center at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, then referred to the Prostate Center at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for minimally invasive, laparoscopic surgery.

Topic
Aug 27, 2024

Men's Health

Men die an average of five years earlier than women and are at higher risk for serious diseases such as lung cancer, heart disease, and HIV. Familiarity with men’s health issues, regular screenings, and preventive care can be key in encouraging good health and long life.

Spotlight
Aug 20, 2024

Cancer Moonshot

Cancer Moonshot

On Feb. 2, 2024, President Biden celebrated the two-year anniversary of the reignited 2016 White House Cancer Moonshot initiative, an effort across multiple federal agencies aimed to reduce the death rate from cancer by at least 50 percent over the next 25 years. The initiative is also focused on improving the experience of people and their families ...

Calendar Event
May 14, 2024

VA/DOD Women's Mental Health Mini-Residency

This live mini-residency is designed to equip VA and DoD mental health providers with clinical knowledge and skills to deliver gender-specific and gender-informed care to women Veterans and Service members.

Skip subpage navigation
Last Updated: September 23, 2024
Follow us on Instagram Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Facebook Follow us on X Follow us on YouTube Sign up on GovDelivery