TRICARE coverage has not kept pace with assisted reproductive technology (ART), leaving military families with fewer options than other federal employees or those covered by private-sector plans. But a MOAA-backed bill would close this coverage gap, providing the world-class health care benefit earned via service.

The IVF for Military Families Act (H.R. 2557 | S. 1231) would expand infertility diagnosis and treatment beyond existing TRICARE regulations, which only provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of the underlying physical causes of infertility. Military families would have coverage similar to congressional staff members and legislators with health insurance via the DC Health Exchange.

[TAKE ACTION: Ask Your Lawmakers to Support Military Families]

About 1 in 4 military families report some type of fertility challenges, while a survey released in 2018 saw 40% of active duty servicewomen report fertility problems – three times the rate of the civilian population. These figures make clear the effect this coverage gap could have on recruitment and retention, and the need to improve parity between TRICARE coverage and other plans.

“Servicemembers have earned a top-tier benefit in recognition of the risks and sacrifices they face,” said MOAA President and CEO Lt. Gen. Brian T. Kelly, USAF (Ret), in a press release announcing the bill. “Most large employer-sponsored plans – including those covering federal employees and members of Congress – now offer ART/IVF coverage. Addressing this TRICARE parity gap will not only fulfill our nation’s commitment to the currently serving but also ensure TRICARE remains an effective component of the compensation and benefits package that sustains the all-volunteer force.”

The bill, introduced April 1 in the House by Reps. Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.) and Rick Larsen (D-Wash.) and in the Senate by Sens. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.), limits this coverage to those on active duty and their dependents. While supporting this legislation, MOAA will continue to urge Congress to expand this coverage to all TRICARE beneficiaries, especially retirees who may have delayed plans for a family until after leaving uniform.

Keeping Pace With Other Plans

Seven in 10 employers with more than 20,000 employees provided IVF coverage in 2024, according to a recent survey, and the Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) program’s 2025 plan list includes 25 plans covering IVF services, up from 18 in 2024.

“Our military families have sacrificed so much for our safety and security – they shouldn’t also sacrifice their dream to build a family,” Jacobs said in the press release. “But for too many servicemembers, the lack of TRICARE coverage of IVF has left them with only a few choices: beat the odds and prove that their infertility is directly related to their service, pay tens of thousands of dollars out-of-pocket for a chance at a family, forgo having children, or leave the military. This is wrong.”

Contact your lawmakers today and ask them to cosponsor the IVF for Military Families Act, and keep up with progress on this legislation and other MOAA priorities at our advocacy news page.