Women Veterans Health Care

Infertility and IVF

If you and your partner are having challenges building your family, you are not alone. We understand the stress and uncertainty that can come with infertility. We are here for you during your journey and cover a wide range of fertility treatments, procedures, and services.

How is VA expanding access to in vitro fertilization (IVF)?

VA is soon expanding access to IVF services. Before today’s expansion of care, VA was only allowed to provide IVF services to Veterans who were legally married and – within that relationship – able to produce their own gametes (both eggs and sperm). Under this expansion of care, VA will offer IVF benefits to qualifying Veterans regardless of marital status and – for the first time – allow the use of donor eggs, sperm, and embryos.

This means that VA will soon be able to provide IVF to eligible unmarried Veterans and eligible Veterans in same-sex marriages. VA will also be able to provide IVF to Veterans using donated sperm or eggs – a critical step toward helping Veterans who are not able to produce their own sperm or eggs due to service-connected injuries and health conditions.

VA is taking immediate steps to implement this policy and expects to be ready to deliver this care to Veterans nationwide in the coming weeks.

For more information, view these FAQ.

What services does VA provide for infertility?

VA offers a range of services to help Veterans build their families. Infertility services available through VA include:

• Infertility assessments and counseling
• Laboratory tests, including genetic counseling and testing
• Imaging services, such as ultrasounds and X-rays
• Hormone therapies
• Surgical correction (e.g., endometriosis, polyps, blockages, or scars)
• Fertility medications
• Intrauterine insemination (artificial insemination)
• Tubal ligation (tube tie) reversal
• Vasectomy reversal
• Oocyte cryopreservation (egg freezing) and sperm cryopreservation
• Sperm retrieval techniques (including sperm washing for intrauterine insemination)

If you have a service-connected condition that causes infertility, you (and your spouse) may be eligible for:

• In vitro fertilization (IVF) or other forms of assisted reproductive technology (ART) services if:
  • You are legally married
  • Male spouses can produce sperm (or have cryopreserved sperm)
  • Female spouses have an intact uterus and can produce eggs
• Some adoption reimbursement (up to $2,000 per adoption)

Donor eggs, donor sperm, donor embryos, surrogacy (pregnancy in which a woman carries and gives birth to a baby for a person who is not able to have children) or experimental treatments are not VA-covered services.

For more information on fertility services available through VA, coverage and eligibility requirements, call the Women Veterans Call Center or talk to your Women's Health Primary Care Provider.

How do I access services for infertility at VA?

All Veterans enrolled in VA health care are eligible to receive infertility treatment. You need a referral from your VA provider to receive infertility services.

If you don't already use VA health care, you can also use the following online tools:

Find out if you are eligible for VA health care.

Enroll in VA health care if you haven't already.

• If you or your spouse are pregnant while separating from the military, you may be eligible to extend your military health care benefits through 6 weeks post-delivery. Continued coverage is not automatic when transitioning from the Military Health System (MHS). Talk to your current provider before separation.

Find your local VA to learn about what services may be available and to make an appointment.

Where can I find more information and support on infertility?

To learn more about infertility treatment and resources, access the following:

• VA Fertility Services Brochure
• VA Fertility Services Brochure (Español)
• VA In Vitro Fertilization Treatment
• American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM)*†
• Resolve (patient advocacy) *†

Relevant statutes

• Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, 2021*
• Further Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2020*
• 10 U.S.C. § 1074 (Medical and dental care for members and certain former members)*

Relevant regulations

• 38 CFR 17.38* (Medical Benefits Package, relevant to those receiving care under 17.412)
• 38 CFR 17.380* (SC-Infertility for Veterans)
• 38 CFR 17.412* (Fertility counseling and treatment for certain spouses)

VHA Directives

• VHA Directive 1334* Service-connected infertility
• VHA Directive 1332* Fertility management
• Department of Defense Policy for Assisted Reproductive Services for the Benefit of Seriously or Severely Ill/Injured Active Duty Service Members*

Instruction of the Secretary 01-24

• "Instructions for Determining Eligibility for In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Benefit"* dated March 28, 2024

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The Women Veterans Call Center is your guide to women's health

If you have questions or can't find what you're looking for, you can call, text, or chat online with the Women Veterans Call Center (WVCC) at 855-829-6636 to get help and find available resources and services in your area. Trained women representatives can also:

• Provide you with information on enrolling in VA health care if you have not already
• Provide you with information on setting up a medical appointment in your area
• Provide you with information about your eligibility (including questions about disability ratings) and other VA benefits like employment, education, and home loans
• Connect you with your local VA Medical Center or local women's health contact who can assist in coordinating all the services you need

WVCC representatives are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. ET, and Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. ET.

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