The following information contains reproductive health facts and guidelines determined by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense.
VA
Available services for veterans and eligible beneficiaries:
· Fertility services, contraceptives, emergency contraceptives, life-saving treatment related to pregnancy, such as medically necessary care for veterans presenting with ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage, and menopause care.
· VA can also offer abortion counseling and can perform abortion services when the life or health of the pregnant veteran would be endangered if the pregnancy were carried to term or when the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest.
o In cases of rape or incest, self-reporting from a veteran or VA beneficiary constitutes sufficient evidence that an act of rape or incest occurred.
Determining eligibility:
· All care provided by VA is premised on a determination by an appropriate health care professional that it is needed to promote, preserve, or restore the health of the veteran and accords with generally accepted standards of medical practice.
· The determination of whether the "life and health of the pregnant veteran would be endangered if the pregnancy were carried to term” is made on a case-by-case basis and is the result of careful consultation between VA health care providers and the Veterans they serve.
· VA beneficiaries enrolled in CHAMPVA also have access to this care. In addition, service-connected veterans and their spouses who meet specific eligibility criteria can receive in-vitro fertilization.
Services in states that have banned abortion:
· VA can immediately provide abortion services to protect the life and health of our veterans. Now that the "Interim Final Rule” is published, VA is preparing to provide these services in as many locations as possible. VA is taking steps to guarantee veterans and other VA beneficiaries’ abortion-related care anywhere in the country. VA employees, when working within the scope of their Federal employment, may provide authorized services regardless of state restrictions.
Payment:
· If authorized under VA’s Veterans Community Care Program (VCCP), VA will pay for abortion counseling from providers in the community, where available. In addition, if authorized under VCCP, VA will pay for abortion services from providers in the community, where available, in cases where the life or health of the veteran is endangered if the pregnancy were carried to term, or in the case of pregnancy resulting from an act of rape or incest.
Resources:
https://www.womenshealth.va.gov/topics/reproductive-health.asp
CALL – Woman Veterans Call Center (WVCC) at – 855.829.6636 to find help(available resources and services) in your area. Trained women representatives can also help with: Enrolling in VA Health care; setting up medical appointments; answering questions about eligibility (including disability ratings questions) and other VA benefits: Education, Home Loans, Employment.
WVCC representatives are available Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.(ET) & Saturday, 8:00 a.m.-6:30 p.m.(ET)
TEXT – sms: +1.855.829.6636
Federal Register
Shows the same care for veterans. There are some differences between CHAMPVA & TRICARE (Select) used for Beneficiaries. They both cover if there is danger to the beneficiary if the fetus is carried to term. This is where they differ: CHAMPVA will not cover in the case of Rape or Incest. (if I’m correct Shown in Paragraph I section C)
Resources:
Interim Final Rule – 38 CFR Part 17, Section 1710
Docket RIN 2900-AR57
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/09/09/2022-19239/reproductive-health-services
DOD
· Follows closely to the VA standards and includes transportation and protection for the health care providers.
Resources:
https://media.defense.gov/2022/Jun/28/2003026770/-1/-1/1/memorandum-ensuring-access-to-essential-womens-health-care-services-for-service-members-dependents-beneficiaries-and-department-of-defense-civilian-employees.pdf; https://media.defense.gov/2022/Oct/20/2003099747/-1/-1/1/memorandum-ensuring-access-to-reproductive-health-care.pdf
