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What other care does DoD provide when a Soldier, dependent, or other beneficiary receives a covered abortion? More information on this policy is available at: www.health.mil/EnsuringAccesstoReproductiveHealth.What is the new policy on travel and transportation allowances for non-covered reproductive health care? What is non-covered reproductive health care? There are other special circumstances, determined on a case-by-case basis by a DoD health care provider, where the military mission outweighs the interests served by delaying notification. Federal law restricts the Department from performing abortions or paying to have them performed unless the life of the mother would be endangered if the fetus were carried to term, or unless the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest. In the case of a Soldier who seeks an abortion related to a sexual assault, the Soldier would seek these services through their medical provider and does not need to obtain permission or other forms of documentation from their Command. The treating provider must document their good faith belief that the pregnancy is a result of rape, and would then either perform the procedure at the MTF or refer to another provider within the same MTF to provide the abortion. If the abortion cannot be performed at the MTF, the provider would refer the patient to the private sector or transfer the patient to another MTF with the capability to perform the abortion. If the Soldier reported a sexual assault to a Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC), a Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Victim Advocate (SAPR VA), or the Family Advocacy Program (FAP), the Soldier would be asked if they want referrals for services, to include for medical and mental health services. The member could receive a referral from the SARC, SAPR VA, or FAP to an appropriate health care provider wherein their request for an abortion could be made. SARCs, SAPR VAs, and FAP would not discuss the details of health care with victims, since they are not qualified or authorized to discuss health-related matters or to provide personal opinions on health care issues.
o TRICARE Prime: For non-Active Duty patients enrolled in TRICARE Prime, if the closest available care is more than 100 miles away from their primary care manager’s office, TRICARE may reimburse reasonable travel expenses for covered abortions in accordance with applicable rules and regulations. Patients may seek assistance from a Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC), Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Victim Advocate (SAPR VA) or the Family Advocacy Program (FAP) who can connect them with the appropriate health care provider. They may also seek assistance through their primary care manager (PCM), a women’s health provider, or at an emergency room. MTFs either have providers who perform abortion services or have the ability to refer patients to an appropriate provider in the private sector or at another MTF. Commanders or approval authorities must act promptly when considering a Soldier’s request for an administrative absence to access non-covered reproductive health care, with due regard to the time-sensitive nature of many non-covered reproductive health care services. Requests for administrative absence should be given all due consideration and should be granted to the greatest extent practicable unless, in the commanding officer’s judgment, the Soldier’s absence would impair proper execution of the Army mission. As a commander, what is my role and responsibility with regards to the new policy on administrative absence for non-covered reproductive health care?
Human Resources professionals provide special assistance during a unit inactivation November 21, 2023 Who can provide Soldiers, dependents, or other beneficiaries with women’s health care such as long acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs)? Do they have to be OB/GYNs or can they get it from a primary care physician? Where can they access this healthcare? DoD providers must have a “good faith” belief that the patient is a victim of rape or incest to perform the abortion. Soldiers are not required to make a formal report or engage with the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program or Family Advocacy Program (FAP) to be eligible for an abortion, although providers are still required to notify the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC) or FAP that they are treating a patient who reports they are a victim of sexual assault, so that the SARC or FAP can inform the victim of services and reporting options. There is no requirement that the health care provider inform the SARC or FAP that the patient requested an abortion. DoD providers should engage MTF legal counsel and MTF leadership, as well as subject matter experts within SAPR Program or FAP, if there are concerns about making a “good faith” belief determination. YOU ARE ACCESSING A U.S. GOVERNMENT (USG) INFORMATION SYSTEM (IS) THAT IS PROVIDED FOR USG-AUTHORIZED other information, indicates a violation or potential violation of law, whether criminal, civil, or
More information on this policy is available at: www.health.mil/EnsuringAccesstoReproductiveHealth. When an MTF provider encounters a child the provider suspects has been sexually abused, the child will be given priority for care at an MTF. MTF providers will refer DoD minor- dependents who are victims of sexual assault for follow-on care, which may include referral to a Domestic Abuse Victim Advocate (DAVA) or Family Advocacy Program. A DAVA coordinates and manages care for a victim of sexual assault that occurs within a family or between intimate partners. FAP/DAVA personnel are covered professionals who are required to report suspected child abuse directly to local civilian child welfare services in accordance with law and DoD policy. Does the DoD provide abortion services for Soldiers or beneficiaries who have been sexually assaulted even if they have not reported the assault, there is no ongoing investigation, or if an investigation has not been completed?
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remedying the risk of harm to individuals, the recipient agency or entity (including its information What is the process that a Soldier, dependent, or other beneficiary would use to seek covered abortion services? Commanders or approval authorities will not levy additional requirements on the eligible Soldier (including, but not limited to, consultations with a chaplain, medical testing, or other forms of counseling) prior to approving or denying the administrative absence request. What other type of support services, such as financial support, might be available to help families with pregnancies? The Soldier is in a position pre-identified by Army regulations as having mission responsibilities or being subject to occupational health hazards that would significantly risk mission accomplishment.
The MOA provides specific procedures to the management of the supporting, extended content (also known as “smartbooks”) for these DA PAMs: 600-3; 600-25; 621-11; 601-280. There are military duties, occupational health hazards, and medical conditions where the proper execution of the military mission outweighs the interests served by delaying commander notification of a pregnancy. If the DoD health care provider makes the notification to a commander, the Soldier will be notified prior to the command notification except in exigent circumstances. A commander will be notified of a pregnancy prior to the 20th week if: All necessary medical and psychological services and supplies related to a covered abortion may be provided by the MTF or by a TRICARE authorized provider for eligible dependents of a Soldier. This may include ultrasound performed prior to the abortion, pathology services, pregnancy tests, office visits, and any applicable requirements mandated by state and/or local laws. Chapter 15 - Consolidated Military and Civilian Career Fields and Principal Coordination Points by Personnel Proponent Yes, TRICARE will continue to pay for abortions for Soldiers, dependents, or other eligible DoD beneficiaries in cases where the life of the mother would be endangered should the fetus be carried to term or in the case in which the pregnancy is the result of an act of rape or incest (described as “covered abortions”). Private sector health care facilities are subject to the laws of the state where the care is provided. When state law restricts certain types of care, that care may no longer be available through private sector health care facilities in the local area.
FORSCOM Lead Sexual Assault Response Coordinators come together to discuss program changes November 17, 2023 G-1 has established a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with APD on the disposition of DA PAMs 600-3, 600-25, 601-280, and 611-21. This MOA allows us to have base pamphlets posted for each of these PAMs (containing basic information) with Uniform Resource Locator (URL) links to the additional supporting, extended content that changes frequently.
Yes. Eligible DoD beneficiaries are encouraged to follow-up with their Primary Care Manager or Women’s Health Provider following a pregnancy termination to obtain necessary follow-up care, to include convalescent leave (as indicated) or provision of contraception. This follow-up care is available regardless of whether the abortion service was a covered or non-covered procedure. Additionally, if a patient comes to a MTF with acute complications following a pregnancy termination, it is the duty of the receiving provider to care for these acute issues. By regulation, Active Duty Service members who experience complications resulting from a non- covered treatment also may be authorized for treatment in the private sector if necessary, consistent with applicable law. If a Soldier was sexually assaulted, what is the process by which they could access abortion services for a pregnancy resulting from the sexual assault? o The New Parent Support Program is a program for expectant parents or those with children ages three and younger and offers pregnancy and parenting education and support primarily through home visitation services. New Parent Support Program staff are child development professionals, including registered nurses and clinical social workers, who are able to connect new and expectant parents to local pregnancy and parenting related resources. It is available to Soldiers, eligible spouses and partners. In some locations, they may also offer pregnancy and parenting related groups and classes. In addition to providing help with accessing military resources, Sexual Assault Response Coordinators can provide information about a range of off-installation services, some of which may be able to provide or assist with obtaining crime victim compensation or limited financial assistance. The availability of off-installation services varies by location and by state. Information about off- installation (no DoD affiliation) services can also be obtained from DoD Safe Helpline, the sole secure, confidential, and anonymous crisis support service specially designed for members of the Department of Defense community affected by sexual assault. (www.safehelpline.org or 877- 995-5247).
Disclaimer
Complete care generally includes an initial diagnosis of pregnancy, counseling regarding pregnancy options, any necessary pre-procedural evaluation, peri-operative care (care provided around the time of a surgical procedure), contraception counseling and provision, screening for sexually transmitted infections, referral for mental health services, and follow-up/post-operative care as required. Sexual Assault Response Coordinators (SARCs) or the Family Advocacy Program (FAP) are notified by a DoD medical provider at an MTF if a patient informs the provider that the patient is a victim of a sexual assault so that the SARC or FAP can inform the victim of services and reporting options. There is no requirement that the health care provider inform the SARC or FAP that the patient requested an abortion. Health care provider communications to a SARC or FAP are confidential. As a result, if the patient has made, or desires to make, a Restricted Report, that option is not affected by health care provider notifications to a SARC or FAP. SAPRO tours forward deployed Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention resources November 10, 2023 DoD performs or pays for abortions for Soldiers, dependents, or other eligible DoD beneficiaries in cases where the life of the mother would be endangered should the fetus be carried to term or where the pregnancy is the result of an act of rape or incest (described as “covered abortions”). An eligible beneficiary can request a covered abortion from a MTF provider.
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