Cryopreservation Demonstration Program

Reimbursable services may include:

• Medications
• Labs
• Imaging
• Required medical testing 
• Gamete freezing, shipping, and storing.

You can’t get reimbursed for other services like:

• Embryo creation 
• In-vitro fertilization 
• Other elective procedures 

You may be eligible if you’re:

• An active duty service member;
• Have received orders or anticipate getting them in the next 120 days for which you may get hazardous duty pay;
• Under orders, going to be geographically separated for no less than 180 days from a spouse, domestic partner or dating partner. This includes sea duty.

To be eligible for reimbursement, timing matters:

• If you’re deploying or expecting to deploy on orders for which you may receive hazardous duty pay, you must complete your gamete preservation procedures before your orders begin. Schedule your consultations, testing, and procedures immediately so everything is finished before your orders take effect.
• If you’re facing an extended separation of greater than 180 days, you may complete your gamete preservation procedures either before your departure date or during your separation period, provided the necessary medical services are available at your assigned location.
• Storage fees and future shipping costs are exempt from this cutoff and can be processed separately later.

You may be eligible if you’re:

• An active duty service member
• Have received orders or anticipate having them in the next 120 days for which you may get hazardous duty pay
• Under orders, going to be geographically separated for no less than 180 days from a spouse, domestic partner or dating partner. This includes sea duty.

The military hospitals listed above provide Assisted Reproductive Technology services to support Graduate Medical Education physician training programs. 

• Access is prioritized based on program requirements and managed on a space-available basis. 
• These facilities can’t guarantee that services will accommodate your timeline for upcoming deployment orders as defined in this demonstration program.
• The specific procedures offered and out-of-pocket expenses vary at each location. 

You should consult directly with their healthcare team in advance to verify treatment eligibility, service scope, and estimated financial obligations.

If your military hospital or clinic doesn’t offer Assisted Reproductive Technology services, schedule an appointment with your primary care manager. Most military hospitals and clinics can perform the diagnostic evaluations you need before you visit a civilian fertility clinic.

These services include:

• Hormone blood panels
• Semen analysis
• Pelvic ultrasounds
• Anatomical imaging

To get a reimbursement:

1. Download and complete DHA Form 459
2. Get the form signed by your Commander. This confirms your eligibility at the time services were received.
3. Email the Form and proof of payment to:dha.ncr.medical-affairs.mbx.dha-cryopreservation-demo@health.mil.

You must submit your paperwork within 120 days of getting your services. For example: 

• 120 days from the date gamete retrieval
• 120 days from the date of laboratory procedure
• 120 days from receipt of prescription

You can submit separate requests. You can also submit a single consolidated request. You must submit your reimbursement request within 120 days of completing your egg or your sperm retrieval and cryopreservation.

You must provide complete, itemized invoices reflecting all service dates. Submit these invoices with your reimbursement request.

• Remove personally identifiable information. This includes:
  • Home addresses 
  • Credit card details 
  • Banking information
• Keep email attachments to less than or equal to 20MB. Send large attachments using DOD SAFE.
• If you don’t get an email confirmation within two business days, send a follow-up email.

If you submit your form(s) more than 120 days after you got your services, you won’t be reimbursed. You’ll get reimbursed after your invoices and your documentation is reviewed and confirmed.

Note: If you're having trouble viewing the Form, right-click on the link, select "Save As," and open the file from your computer.

Section 709 of the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025, (Public Law 118-159) authorized this program to reimburse service members who qualify for expenses during gamete (sperm or egg):

• Retrieval 
• Resting 
• Freezing 
• Shipping 

This demonstration project allows the Department to evaluate:

• Participation 
• Cost trends 
• Administrative feasibility 
• Potential long-term readiness impacts

No. It isn’t a TRICARE program. It doesn’t provide healthcare services.

Reimbursement is limited to:

• Sperm preservation: up to $500 per year
• Egg preservation: up to $10,000 per year

The one-year period is individualized for each person. It's measured from the first date on which reimbursable services are rendered. It also includes any other reimbursable costs incurred within the 365-day window.

Services dated before Sept. 14, 2026 or after Sept. 14, 2029 can’t be reimbursed. This includes new costs for storage or shipment incurred after the end of the program.

No. Participating in this program won’t affect your eligibility for TRICARE or other military benefits.

Check this page regularly to learn more. You can also talk to your healthcare provider about which services are right for you. For more information on this program, contact: dha.ncr.medical-affairs.mbx.dha-cryopreservation-demo@health.mil.