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Whether you’re a service member or a TRICARE-eligible family member, contraceptive care plays a key role in your overall health, wellness, and quality of life. It also supports your individual and family readiness. TRICARE covers a full range of contraceptive methods, regardless of which health plan you have. And recent changes to TRICARE policies help make sure you’ll have easy, convenient, and timely access to contraceptive services.
“Because contraceptive health care supports stability and flexibility, we looked at how to make contraceptive services both more affordable and accessible for all TRICARE beneficiaries,” said Regina Julian, deputy assistant director for Health Care Operations, Defense Health Agency. “The waiving of cost-shares and copayments for certain contraceptive services is one way we’re making it easier for you to get the care you need. Remember to ask your primary care provider if you have questions. You also can get medical advice 24 hours a day, seven days a week from registered nurses by calling the MHS Nurse Advice Line at 1-800-TRICARE, option 1.”
It’s important to note that contraception serves several purposes:
Here are answers to common questions about TRICARE’s coverage of contraceptive care and services.
You no longer have to pay cost-shares or copayments for all TRICARE-covered reversible medical contraceptives. These include IUDs, hormonal shots, and slow-release hormonal rods, which go under the skin.
This change went into effect July 28. What do you do if you paid for services on or after July 28? You can submit a claim to your TRICARE contractor after Nov. 1 to receive reimbursement.
You should contact your TRICARE contractor if you have questions about cost-shares and copayments. You can also review costs details on the TRICARE Costs page.
Starting Jan. 1, 2023, TRICARE will eliminate copayments and cost-shares for anyone who has TRICARE Prime and TRICARE Select and choose a permanent birth control method, such as tubal ligation. (Tubal ligation involves removing or sealing off the fallopian tubes.) It’s the only form of permanent contraception that TRICARE covers, and a TRICARE-authorized network provider must perform the procedure. Cost-sharing may still apply for tubal ligations performed out-of-network. Cost-sharing for vasectomies and hysterectomies will still apply.
Yes. TRICARE covers non-prescription emergency birth control to prevent pregnancy. (The morning-after pill is a common name for it.) You can get products such as Plan B One-Step at many retailers at no cost. This includes military pharmacies and retail network pharmacies. They don’t require a prescription.
In addition, ella, is an emergency contraception also covered by TRICARE that requires a prescription. Ella can be more effective than Plan B when you take it within five days of unprotected sex. Ella is also available at no cost at military pharmacies and retail network pharmacies with a prescription.
TRICARE covers a complete range of contraceptive services. TRICARE-covered birth control methods include:
Keep in mind, you must see a TRICARE-authorized provider for TRICARE to cover these services.
TRICARE doesn’t cover:
To learn more about what is or isn’t covered, review the contraception chart on the TRICARE website.
Yes. However, the Defense Health Agency can’t currently waive cost-shares and copayments for daily use prescription birth control pills and other drugs. This is because TRICARE Pharmacy Program cost-sharing is mandated by law. You may have to pay a copayment for pharmacy contraceptives—like birth control pills and patches—depending on your health plan and where you fill your prescription.
TRICARE covers prescriptions filled at a pharmacy, consistent with other prescriptions from TRICARE:
“Contraceptive choices are highly personal,” said Julian. “What’s right for you may not be what’s right for someone else, and your needs may change over time. The Defense Health Agency encourages you to participate fully in your own care.”
Talk to your doctor or primary care manager about the types of birth control that’s right for you. If you need to find a doctor, you can use the Find a Doctor tool. Your TRICARE contractor can also help you find a network provider.
Know your options for contraceptive care and how you can access that care, today and in the future. To learn more about services available to you, go to TRICARE’s Birth Control Covered Services page.
Would you like the latest TRICARE news sent to you by email? Visit the TRICARE Subscriptions page today, and create your personalized profile to get benefit updates, news, and more.
A printable table tent for check-in desks, waiting room tables, etc.
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Fillable poster to tailor and print locally.
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Look sheet for the Contraceptive Care Campaign
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TRICARE covers a comprehensive range of contraceptive care and methods, from birth control pills to IUDS and more. Talk to your doctor or primary care manager about what types of birth control are right for you. www.tricare.mil/birthcontrol
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Comprehensive Contraceptive Care Means: Prevention of pregnancy, facilitation of family planning decisions, regulation or suppression of periods, and more. Learn more about TRICARE covered services at www.tricare.mil/birthcontrol
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Your TRICARE Pharmacy benefit includes no cost prescriptions at your military hospital or clinic pharmacy. You can also get your prescription from TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery and network pharmacies, though you may have a copayment.
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TRICARE waived fees for long acting reversible contraceptives, including IUDs, injection, and rods implanted under the skin. Learn more about TRICARE covered services at www.tricare.mil/birthcontrol
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A new policy recently implemented by the Army is designed to help remove possible barriers that may prevent Soldiers from reporting sexual assault.
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The Q&A provides answers to questions around reproductive health care access — including leave and travel, sexual assault, contraceptives and other types of related assistance.
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Many members of the Department of Defense community have asked about essential women’s health care services following the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. 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.
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Blanchfield Army Community Hospital’s breastfeeding support group, Mom & Me, has resumed in-person meetings, Mondays from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Women’s Health Clinic.
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Walk-in availability for cervical cancer screening – also known as a Pap test or Pap smear – will begin at Naval Hospital Bremerton’s OB/GYN clinic, Sept. 2, 2022.
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The July MHS Minute highlights a dedicated webpage for women’s health to educate women and their partners on the health care services and resources available to them. Visit https://www.health.mil/Military-Health-Topics/Total-Force-Fitness/Preventive-Health/Womens-Health to learn more. Additionally, learn more about the new national suicide and crisis lifeline, 988.
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Health.mil News
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