MHCE APRIL
News from MHCE APRIL 2024 EDITION Tricare Users Can Now Refill Prescriptions Through MHS Genesis Electronic Health Record System See page 10 Monthly Newsletter WWW.MHCE.US the interim, qualifying active duty service members may reach out to their providers to complete the necessary paperwork and begin the process. Qualifying active duty service members who have obtained assisted reproductive technology services at their own expense after the effective date of amended policy, will be able to seek reimbursement once the policy is fully implemented. DOD Amends Assisted Reproductive Services Policy for Seriously, Severely Ill or Injured Active Duty Service Members Under the amended policy, active duty service members with a qualifying illness or injury may now access this extended benefit regardless of their marital status, and they may now use donor gametes (sperm, egg, or both) and embryos, when procured at their own expense. Although active-duty service members with a qualifying illness or injury may begin to use this benefit now, implementation of the amended policy will take some time. The Defense Health Agency, who is responsible for implementing the policy changes, expects necessary updates will be completed by the summer. In Kimberly Lahm, a program director in the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs for Health Services Policy and Oversight, said the changes to the policy reflect the department's commitment toward ensuring equity of access to reproductive health care for those who serve. "We continue to identify ways to lean forward as much as we can in support of equity of access to reproductive health care for our service members," Lahm said. In general, the department is not authorized to provide these services, and they are excluded from TRICARE coverage, except in the provision of these services for active duty service members with a qualifying illness or injury. Continued on page 9
