However, providers must not attempt to gain information from other sources in making their good faith determination (other than a consultation with SMEs as noted above) or compromise an adult patient’s reporting options by notifying the chain of command, or law enforcement, unless otherwise indicated in DoD Instruction 6310.09 “Health Care Management for Patients Associated With a Sexual Assault,” May 7, 2019, or advised by MTF legal counsel. When a covered abortion is not available in the local area, does DoD provide travel and transportation allowances for a Soldier or other health care beneficiary to receive a covered abortion? What is the process for requesting these allowances? 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. More information on this policy is available at: www.health.mil/EnsuringAccesstoReproductiveHealth.

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.

Privacy Act Statement

Installation-based Military and Family Support Centers provide programs and services to increase resilience. These programs and services include non-medical counseling, personal and family life education, financial readiness, and information and referral services. 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. remedying the risk of harm to individuals, the recipient agency or entity (including its information 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.

other information, indicates a violation or potential violation of law, whether criminal, civil, or Military OneSource is available 24/7 (http://www.militaryonesource.mil or 800-342-9647) to support the holistic needs of military families. Services include confidential non-medical counseling, financial counseling, peer-to-peer support, and specialty consultation sessions for expectant parents. Depending on the specific need or request, Military OneSource can also facilitate connections to installation- and community-based services.The treating DoD health care provider has determined that there are special medical circumstances that require earlier notification.

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.

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. Will TRICARE continue to provide coverage for abortion services in the case of rape, incest or when the life of the mother would be endangered? What if state law restricts my ability to receive an abortion? Military and Family Life Counseling services support military members and families with licensed mental health providers who provide non-medical counseling and psychoeducational presentations on various topics to include parenting, communication, stress, and relationship issues.

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. Human Resources professionals provide special assistance during a unit inactivation November 21, 2023 In all cases involving minors, DoD personnel should immediately consult with the servicing legal counsel. There is no requirement for a patient to formally report or participate in a formal investigation of a sexual assault for the patient to access abortion services at an MTF. The treating provider is required to notify the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator or Family Advocacy Program that they are treating a patient who indicates they are a victim of sexual assault and the pregnancy was the result of a sexual assault, so that information on available resources and reporting options can be provided; however, a beneficiary is not required to utilize any of the services or make a formal restricted or unrestricted report of a sexual assault to be eligible for the abortion. In addition, the provider does not provide the name of the patient to the SARC when the patient declines to make a report of sexual assault or speak with the SARC. The health care provider will document that they, in good faith, believe the pregnancy is a result of rape or incest, based on the patient’s report. 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

Non-covered reproductive health care is defined in policy as lawfully available assisted reproductive technology and non-covered abortion. Non-covered reproductive health care is at the patient’s expense. 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. 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. or adjudicative body or official, when the DoD or other Agency representing the DoD determines that What other type of support services, such as financial support, might be available to help families with pregnancies?