Military Infertility – Tricare and IVF fertility treatment coverage
Tricare Coverage for Infertility Treatments Including IVF and IUI
Tricare is the global name given to the insurance coverage for military members and their family seeking care outside of a military treatment facility, or MTF. Some military installations offer infertility treatments at centers with residency training programs. These programs can offer IVF and fertility treatments at reduced costs for eligible patients. The military hospitals offering infertility treatments do not fall under the Tricare guidelines. There are a handful of military programs across the United States offering IVF and artificial insemination (IUI) to military members and their dependents. The waiting times can be prohibitively long for most people, unless you live near the base offering the treatments.
Clinics can offer military discounts or contract with Tricare to offer limited services, or both. Tricare, or TriWest in the Western Region, clearly defines what services are covered and what services are not covered. At California IVF Fertility Center, our billing and insurance team are very familiar with Tricare benefits and what services will be covered.
Covered Benefits
Tricare will pay for diagnostic testing to establish the cause of infertility. This usually covers the initial evaluation and diagnostic procedures. Once patients have a referral, the testing phase can proceed without any additional requirements on the patient’s part. Our staff helps you to understand this process and maximize your covered benefits. Through years of experience working with Tricare and TriWest, we are able to accurately counsel you from the start of your consultation about your coverage. We combine or close relations with Tricare with our military discount to offer a reduced military cost for IVF treatments. Your initial consultation will be covered by Tricare / TriWest and we will be happy to review your benefits with you in detail.
IVF and IUI Treatments are not Covered by Tricare or Triwest
Several centers have announced lately that Tricare covers IVF and infertility treatments. If you read carefully, you will see they are referring only to diagnostic services. Tricare does not cover any treatments that involve IVF, IUI, or any “non-coital” means of reproduction. This does not mean there are not legal ways to reduce your costs for these services. When active-duty military members or their spouses work with our clinic, we can help you navigate the benefits to help offset the costs of treatment. Our experience with Tricare infertility coverage allows us to avoid patients getting that surprise bill in the mail several months later for benefits that aren’t covered. We are able to advise you up front in most all cases if you will have any out-of-pocket expenses.
Military Discounts for IVF, ICSI, and Infertility Treatments
California IVF Fertility Center is able to offer a drastic reduction in the cost of IVF treatments when patients have Tricare coverage. Dr. Zeringue served in the United States Air Force and grew up in a military family during his father’s 26 years in the United States Marines. We understand the financial difficulties often faced by active duty families. Our experience working with Tricare extends back many years. In addition to helping you with your Tricare benefits, we offer discounts on many of our services as our way of saying “thank you”. You must be eligible for benefits through Tricare to use the military discount.
Dr. Zeringue completed their residence training at Keesler Air Force Base. After fellowship training at Duke University in 2001, Dr. Zeringue took over the infertility division director position at Travis Air Force base from 2001 through 2005.
Request a Referral
Ask your doctor to submit a referral naming California IVF Fertility Center, California IVF, or Dr. Zeringue. If you qualify, you will be able to have an initial consultation without cost to you. We are able to manage any additional referral authorizations without any additional work on your part in most cases. California IVF has a collaborative arrangement with UC Davis to provide fertility services. Patients referred to UC Davis for fertility treatments will be see by California IVF but the referral process may be delayed while the referral is rerouted.
Military Discount for IVF and Infertility Services
California IVF has worked with military families and Tricare for more than a decade. We can work with Tricare referrals and provide consultation and diagnostic services. Military members and their spouses are eligible for a discount on IVF service. These benefits can make treatment more affordable for military beneficiaries.
Military Discounts for Infertility and IVF Treatments.
California IVF Fertility Center salutes the men and women of the United States Armed Forces. To show our appreciation for military members and their families, we are proud to offer discounts on in vitro fertilization services. This discounted price represents a significant savings over the standard cost for IVF. We will work with you to minimize the amount of time you will need to spend in the local area.Having previously served in the United States Air Force as a specialist in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at Travis Air Force Base, Dr. Zeringue is very familiar with the limited services available to members of the armed forces. California IVF is pleased to offer special discounts to military members currently on active duty. With knowledge of covered benefits, we will help minimize costs. These benefits are not limited to people in our surrounding area, but may be coordinated for patients at other military installations from around the world.
California IVF Fertility Center Is Here To Help
Located in Davis, California, California IVF Fertility Center is a Northern California infertility clinic specializing in infertility treatments. Specific areas of expertise include in vitro fertilization (invitro), egg donor recipients, and oocyte donors, preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) and genetic screening of embryos (PGS), embryo freezing or cryo, IVF ICSI, and more. Treatment for both male and female infertility including inseminations, IUI, and sperm aspirations can be coordinated. California IVF Fertility Center provides a highly specialized team to help you with your infertility needs. Doctors, nurses and embryologists offer comprehensive fertility treatments using advanced reproductive technology (ART).
We are able to work with Tricare Prime and Standard. Have your doctor submit a consultation to an “external provider” and list California IVF Fertility Center, or one of our doctors, as the preferred provider. Tricare will generally cover infertility counseling and testing for most members as long as they have a preauthorization. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our clinic. We are usually able to provide the initial consultation at no cost to military members and their family. Combined with our IVF discount price for military patients and spouses, California IVF has helped countless military couples for more than 10 years.
You must be eligible for benefits through Tricare to use the military discount.
Free informational tours are available.
We are confident you’ll like what you see. A staff member will meet with you to discuss our services and how we are able to help people with their desires to become parents. Contact us today to schedule an informational tour or schedule an appointment for a new patient consultation.
Financial Options
Infertility treatment financing is available to help reduce the cost burden of treatments. Financial options include refund plans, 2 cycle plans, and a 100% refund option. Some insurances cover infertility testing and treatment.Schedule an Appointment
Patients may opt for direct consultations with our infertility doctor instead. Our easy online history forms help provide the doctor with current medical information and reduce the burden of paper forms.Patient Specific Treatment
We have many fertility treatment options available. Not all cases of infertility require IVF. Though In Vitro Fertilization is one of the most effective treatments, many patients are able to use less aggressive methods to treatment. Let us know how we may help you.
About California IVF
Our IVF lab is a state of the art modern clean room with an advanced filtration system which provides one of the cleanest environment for embryo culture. Our team of highly trained embryologists are dedicated to providing the latest in culture, freezing, and storage techniques. Our modern equipment includes closely monitored and alarmed incubators, cryo tanks, heated microscopes, and cryopreservation equipment. Embryo security and identity are paramount, and a redundant system of checks and balances prevent embryo mix-ups or mistakes. Breakthrough technologies are evaluated for safety and implemented if they are thought to help women become pregnant and have a baby. California IVF Davis Fertility Center’s infertility team is dedicated to providing professional, compassionate, and ethical care in a relaxed and family-like atmosphere for infertile couples seeking fertility solutions.
Getting help from our clinic is a fairly simple process. You will need to request a referral through Tricare or the VA health system if you would like to take advantage of your benefits. There is usually no need to complete any testing before your appointment. Our doctors will be happy to guide you through testing and treatment options.
- Obtain a referral to California IVF Fertility Center
- Male referrals for “Infertility Evaluation” can help speed up evaluation
- Request your records pertaining to infertility
- Schedule an appointment with one of our doctors
- Complete the diagnostic testing outlined by our doctor
- Begin the desired treatment after test results are reviewed
Referrals can be generated for males or females. A referral for both partners can often speed up the testing process. Preauthorization can take several weeks so please be patient. California IVF does not control the preauthorization process. It is usually best for patients to obtain a copy of their relevant medical records for themselves. We only need records pertaining to infertility, complicated pregnancies, or serious health issues. Obtaining your own records ahead of time and is one of the best ways to help your us with your care and avoid delays. If you are unable to obtain records for review prior to the appointment, the doctor can still review the records at a later time. Please be careful to include only relevant records. During your appointment, our doctor will review your health history, information about infertility, and review testing and treatment options. Once the test results are reviewed, your doctor can assist in selecting a treatment option that is suited to your individual needs.