Your future family deserves a plan.
The DHA Cryopreservation Pilot helps eligible active-duty service members cover the costs of freezing and storing sperm or eggs. We broke down the eligibility rules, forms, and reimbursement process, so you can focus on what is next.
The DHA Cryopreservation Pilot helps eligible active-duty service members pay for freezing and storing sperm or eggs. Here is how it works.
This is an independent resource from the Military Family Building Coalition. The program is administered by the Defense Health Agency.
What to know in 30 seconds
Who qualifies?
Active-duty service members with qualifying hazardous-duty orders, or qualifying orders that mean 180+ days of geographic separation from a spouse or partner. Not every deployment or separation automatically qualifies.
What's covered?
Certain costs of sperm or egg retrieval, testing, freezing, storage, and shipping during the demonstration.
How does payment work?
This is a reimbursement program. You pay your provider first, then submit documentation to DHA.
When can I apply?
The demonstration runs through September 2029. Your eligibility, service dates, and claim deadlines all matter.
Who we are: MFBC is an independent nonprofit resource. The program is run by the Defense Health Agency, which makes all eligibility and reimbursement decisions.
Do you qualify?
Work through this quick checklist. It takes less than a minute.
Think you qualify? Your next step: your commander (or designee) must verify your eligibility by signing DHA Form 459. Confirm before you spend money on services.
Download DHA Form 459Not on active duty right now? This program is for currently serving members. MFBC can still point you to other fertility resources and support.
Contact MFBCThis checklist is a guide, not an official determination. DHA and your command decide eligibility. Spouses and veterans do not qualify on their own.
How to get started with fertility preservation
From confirming your eligibility to submitting your reimbursement request, here is what to do at each step.
Confirm your eligibility
Before scheduling anything, review the requirements above and talk to your command. You will need your commander (or designee) to verify your eligibility on DHA Form 459. Your unit may also have its own policies, and you may need to request leave or permissive TDY.
Get DHA Form 459Find a provider
You can receive covered services through a military medical facility or a civilian fertility clinic of your choice.
Legacy has been MFBC's cryopreservation partner in TADPOLE for years. They designed a kit specifically for this pilot: it is sent directly to your home, and Legacy is HIPAA-compliant.
Get the Legacy pilot kitUnderstand your costs
The program reimburses eligible expenses up to $500 (sperm) or $10,000 (egg) per 365-day window. These are reimbursement limits, not guaranteed payments: you pay your provider first, and costs above the limits remain your responsibility.
Complete your preservation services
Work with your provider to schedule testing, retrieval, freezing, and storage. Timing matters:
Hazardous-duty orders: services must be completed before your orders begin. 180-day separation: services can happen before the separation starts or during it, if available where you are sent.
Gather your documents
- Completed DHA Form 459, signed by you and your commander (or designee)
- Completed Standard Form 3881 for direct deposit
- Itemized invoices with dates, services, and costs
- Proof of payment and a $0.00 balance statement
- Advance medical directive stating how your stored sperm or eggs should be handled if you die. DHA requires it; ask your command or DHA how to complete it, since no standard form is linked on the program page.
Submit your reimbursement request
Email your completed documents to DHA within 120 days of each service date. You can send separate requests or one consolidated request.
Review submission instructionsYou are not expected to figure this out alone. MFBC helps military families understand their fertility preservation options.
Contact MFBCEverything you need, all in one place
Skip the searching. Here are the official documents and resources, with what each one is for.
Ready to request reimbursement?
Already completed your preservation services? Here is how to request payment from DHA.
Submit your reimbursement request
Email your completed forms, invoices, and proof of payment to:
DHA reviews your documents and pays approved claims by direct deposit. Watch for confirmation of receipt.
Open Email to DHABefore you hit send
- Both forms completed and signed (DHA Form 459 and SF 3881)
- Itemized invoices covering all service dates, medical codes, and costs
- Proof of payment: card receipt, bank statement, or cleared check, plus a $0.00 balance statement
- Personal details removed: home addresses, credit card numbers, banking info
- Attachments of 20MB or less. For larger files, use DoD SAFE, the secure file-transfer option DHA lists for large attachments.
- After sending: if no confirmation arrives within two business days, follow up
Keep these in mind before you start
This is a reimbursement program
You generally pay your provider first, then submit documentation for reimbursement.
Not all fertility treatments qualify
Embryo creation, IVF, and other elective procedures are not reimbursable under this demonstration.
Your service dates matter
DHA has specific timing rules based on your type of qualifying orders. See step 4.
There are reimbursement limits
Eligible expenses above the $500 or $10,000 limits remain your financial responsibility.
Storage may become your responsibility
The demonstration ends in September 2029 unless extended. Storage costs after it ends fall to you.
Participation is voluntary
Taking part does not affect your eligibility for TRICARE or other military benefits.
Common questions about the program
Am I eligible if I am already deployed?
It depends on your orders. With hazardous-duty orders, services must be completed before your orders begin. With orders for 180+ days of geographic separation, services can happen before the separation or during it if available where you are sent.
Do I need a referral to use a civilian fertility clinic?
No. Civilian providers do not need to be TRICARE-authorized for this demonstration, and you do not need TRICARE authorization first.
Do I have to use a military hospital?
No. Military facilities with reproductive endocrinology programs are encouraged but first-come, first-served. Any civilian clinic works too.
Will DHA pay my provider directly?
No. You pay your provider, keep your documentation, and DHA reimburses you by direct deposit after approving your claim.
Does the program cover IVF?
No. Embryo creation, IVF, and other elective procedures are not covered. The program reimburses retrieval, testing, freezing, shipping, and storage of sperm and eggs.
Do I need an infertility diagnosis?
No. Eligibility is based on your service and qualifying orders, not on a medical diagnosis.
How long will the program pay for storage?
Storage during the demonstration counts toward your annual limits. Once you have been reimbursed, later storage and shipping claims can be reimbursed for the rest of the program without re-qualifying. Costs after the program ends are not covered.
What if my costs exceed the reimbursement limit?
Anything above the $500 or $10,000 annual limit is your responsibility. Ask your provider for a cost estimate before scheduling.
Can I submit more than one reimbursement request?
Yes. You can submit separate requests as services happen or one consolidated request, as long as each claim meets the requirements and deadlines.
What if my commander will not sign DHA Form 459?
Work with your chain of command on eligibility verification, and contact DHA through the program page if you need clarification. There is no way around the command signature.
What if I already paid for preservation before September 14, 2026?
Services before the demonstration start date are not reimbursable. Services after that date must meet all other requirements and deadlines.
Who do I contact with questions?
For program rules and claims, use the official DHA program page. For help understanding your options and next steps, contact MFBC below.
You do not have to navigate this alone.
Understanding military fertility benefits can be a lot, especially while balancing service obligations, deployments, and decisions about your family's future. The Military Family Building Coalition is here to help you understand your options and connect with resources.
MFBC is an independent nonprofit organization and does not administer the DHA Cryopreservation Demonstration Program. Eligibility determinations, reimbursement decisions, and program requirements are managed by DHA.
Last updated October 28, 2026 · Program rules verified against dha.mil and the Federal Register