TRICARE generally does not cover IVF, IUI or cryopreservation, with exceptions: reduced-cost ART at listed military hospitals, no-cost ART for active-duty members with a serious service-related illness or injury (Category II or III), and a cryopreservation demonstration that began September 14, 2026. The VA covers IVF only when a VBA-adjudicated service-connected disability, or its treatment, caused the infertility; marital status is not a factor, donor gametes may be used (VA does not pay for them), and a partner is covered only if they are the Veteran’s lawful spouse. Both pages were checked in October 2026.
TRICARE at a glance
TRICARE’s “Assisted Reproductive Services” page (last updated October 1, 2026) says plainly that TRICARE does not cover ART services, listing intrauterine insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilization (IVF) and cryopreservation. The exceptions are where the real options are.
1. Military hospitals with fertility clinics
TRICARE lists eight military hospitals that offer ART through their reproductive endocrinology and infertility clinics. Eligible beneficiaries can use them at a greatly reduced cost, first come, first served. Waiting lists and travel can be significant, so ask early and ask what is included.
2. The Supplemental Health Care Program for seriously ill or injured members
Active-duty service members, male or female, may qualify for no-cost ART, including sperm retrieval, egg retrieval, IVF, IUI and embryo transfer, if they incurred a serious or severe illness or injury (Category II or III) while on active duty that prevents them from conceiving without ART. A TRICARE-enrolled spouse, TRICARE-enrolled unmarried partner or enrolled unpaid gestational carrier may also receive ART for the qualifying member. Care goes through participating providers where available and needs pre-authorization; prescriptions may be covered under the TRICARE Formulary.
TRICARE also says qualifying members who paid for ART themselves after March 8, 2024 can request reimbursement from their contractor, and that these claims have no timely filing deadline. If that could apply to you, keep every invoice and contact your regional contractor.
3. Cryopreservation Demonstration Program
TRICARE’s page describes a demonstration that started September 14, 2026 and ends September 14, 2029, under which some active-duty service members may qualify for reimbursement of certain egg or sperm preservation costs, either at a participating military hospital at reduced cost or at a civilian clinic without TRICARE authorization. Eligibility details are on TRICARE’s site; because the program is new, confirm current rules with your contractor before paying for freezing.
The VA at a glance
VA’s infertility and IVF page (last updated April 14, 2026) separates fertility care into two tiers.
For all Veterans enrolled in VA health care
Regardless of service connection, relationship or marital status, enrolled Veterans can receive infertility evaluation (history and exam, lab tests, imaging, genetic counseling and testing) and treatment including hormonal therapy, surgery for conditions affecting fertility, consultation on sterilization reversal, IUI, sperm retrieval for IUI, use of Veteran-purchased donor sperm for IUI, and fertility counseling.
IVF and other ART: service-connected infertility only
IVF benefits require that a VBA-adjudicated service-connected disability, or its treatment, caused the infertility. Within that group, the page says:
- Marital status is not a factor. Married, unmarried and single Veterans may qualify. This followed a 2024 expansion; VA announced on March 11, 2024 that IVF would be offered to eligible unmarried Veterans and Veterans in same-sex marriages, and that donated eggs, sperm and embryos could be used.
- Donor eggs, sperm or embryos may be used, but VA does not cover the cost of obtaining them.
- Partners: VA can provide services to a partner only if they are the Veteran’s lawful spouse.
- Limits: a lifetime benefit of up to six attempts to create embryos, for up to three completed embryo transfer cycles.
- Cryopreservation: for eligible Veterans, ART benefits cover freezing sperm, eggs and embryos, with storage until the Veteran’s death.
Separately, fertility preservation is covered only when a necessary medical treatment, such as chemotherapy, is likely to prevent future use of the Veteran’s own eggs or sperm, not for delayed childbearing alone, with storage covered for 10 years. Our guide to fertility preservation before cancer treatment explains timing. The page does not list surrogacy among covered services. It also notes an adoption benefit of up to $2,000 per child under 18, with a $5,000 annual maximum.
TRICARE vs VA side by side
| TRICARE (active duty and families) | VA (Veterans) | |
|---|---|---|
| IVF generally covered? | No | Only for service-connected infertility |
| Main route to covered IVF | Category II/III serious illness or injury on active duty; reduced-cost military hospital programs | VBA-adjudicated service-connected disability that caused infertility |
| IUI | Not covered except under exceptions | Available to enrolled Veterans as infertility treatment |
| Partner coverage | Enrolled spouse, enrolled unmarried partner or unpaid carrier, under the SHCP exception | Lawful spouse only |
| Donor gametes | Check with your contractor | Allowed; VA does not pay to obtain them |
| Egg or sperm freezing | New demonstration program for some active-duty members (2026–2029) | Covered within ART benefits for eligible Veterans; medical-necessity preservation otherwise |
Check the exceptions first, then plan for self-pay or grants.
- Usually discussed when
- You or your spouse are active duty, a dependent, or a Veteran planning fertility treatment.
- Main upside
- If you qualify for an exception, ART may be free or heavily reduced.
- Main tradeoff
- Most military families and Veterans without service-connected infertility will pay out of pocket for IVF.
Getting the paperwork right
For both systems, eligibility is decided on documentation, not on how clear your situation seems to you.
- VA: the IVF benefit depends on the Veterans Benefits Administration having adjudicated a service-connected disability and on that disability, or its treatment, having caused the infertility. If your condition has not been service-connected yet, that claim usually has to come first. Accredited Veterans Service Organization representatives can help prepare disability claims at no charge.
- TRICARE: the Supplemental Health Care Program exception turns on the injury or illness category and on documentation that it prevents conception without ART. Ask your care team or case manager how the category is recorded and who submits the pre-authorization.
- Both: keep copies of every authorization, denial and invoice. If you paid for ART yourself while it may have qualified, those records are what a reimbursement request will rely on.
If you do not qualify
- Civilian employer coverage. If a spouse has employer insurance, its fertility benefit may be the better route. FertileStart explains how benefits differ by insurance type, and our state-by-state IVF insurance guide covers mandates.
- Grants. Some nonprofits, including veteran-focused ones, have offered IVF grants. Our 2026 grants and scholarships directory lists programs; check each one’s current eligibility and deadlines.
- Taxes. Out-of-pocket IVF may be partly deductible if you itemize; see our guide on deducting IVF under IRS Publication 502.
- Financing and self-pay options, including treatment abroad. Our fertility financing hub compares the main routes.
- Am I eligible for the Supplemental Health Care Program ART exception, and what documentation of my injury category is needed?
- Which military hospitals near me offer ART, what is the wait, and what costs remain?
- Do I qualify for the cryopreservation demonstration, and which clinics participate?
- VA: has my service-connected disability been adjudicated as the cause of my infertility, and if not, how do I pursue that?
- VA: which IVF attempts and transfers have I used against the lifetime limits?
- Will a civilian clinic accept my authorization, and who bills whom?
For pre-authorization tips that apply to any plan, see FertileStart’s guide to insurance pre-authorization for IVF and HowToHaveABaby’s 2026 IVF insurance update.
Compare self-pay options, including Colombia
Some military families and Veterans who do not qualify for covered IVF compare self-pay options at accredited clinics in Colombia. Ask any clinic for a written all-in quote (medications, monitoring, embryo freezing) and its age-specific outcome data before deciding.
Questions? Message us on WhatsApp and we’ll point you to clinics and next steps. We may earn referral fees from partner clinics.
Frequently asked questions
Does TRICARE cover IVF?
Generally no. TRICARE lists IUI, IVF and cryopreservation as not covered, with exceptions for reduced-cost care at listed military hospitals and no-cost ART for active-duty members with a qualifying Category II or III illness or injury.
Does the VA cover IVF for veterans?
Only when a VBA-adjudicated service-connected disability, or its treatment, caused the infertility. All enrolled Veterans can get infertility evaluation and some treatments such as IUI.
Can single veterans get IVF through the VA?
Yes, if they meet the service-connected infertility requirement. VA says marital status is not a factor in eligibility.
Does the VA pay for donor eggs or sperm?
No. Veterans may use donor eggs, sperm or embryos in VA-covered IVF, but VA does not cover the cost of obtaining them.
Does TRICARE cover egg freezing?
Not generally, but TRICARE describes a Cryopreservation Demonstration Program that began September 14, 2026 under which some active-duty members may be reimbursed for certain egg or sperm preservation costs.
Sources & guidance
- TRICARE: Assisted Reproductive Services (last updated October 1, 2026; checked October 2026)
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Women Veterans Health Care: Infertility and IVF (last updated April 14, 2026; checked October 2026)
- VA news release: VA expands in vitro fertilization for Veterans (March 11, 2024)