Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare for Women Veterans
Women veterans have unique healthcare needs, and the Department of Veterans Affairs Women’s Healthcare Department offers many reproductive healthcare options and services for women veterans, including sexual health, maternity care, infertility, and menopause.
Women Veterans’ VA Healthcare Options and Services
These VA services can improve women’s overall health and offer support at any age and stage of life. Gender-specific care needs addressed by the VA can include:
- Abortion Services
- Birth Control
- Breastfeeding and Lactation
- Infertility and IVF
- Maternity Care
- Menopause
- Pap Test/Gynecologic Cancer
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
- Pre and Post-pregnancy
- Pregnancy Loss
- Sexual Health
- Suicide Prevention
The Women Veterans Call Center Is Here For You
Calling or chatting with the Women Veteran Call Center gives access to enrollment information and procedures, information on how to set up a medical appointment, eligibility details and help connect callers to a VA Medical Center or women’s health contact in their area to help manage and guide patients through services.
To find resources and services in your area, call, text, or chat online with the Women Veterans Call Center (WVCC) at (855) 829-6636. The call center is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. ET and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. ET.
Related: Military Spouse and Dependent Benefits Guide
What abortion services are available at VA?
To determine abortion eligibility and availability, patients must first consult their VA health care provider to discuss what treatments and options are available in accordance with current laws.
Counseling is available to veterans regardless of whether or not they qualify for an abortion under the law. Currently, the law allows for abortion in the case of military service members and veterans if the pregnancy will risk the life or endanger the pregnant woman, or if rape or incest is the cause of the pregnancy. These benefits and services extend to those enrolled in CHAMPVA.
Who Qualifies for an Abortion through the VA?
To qualify for reproductive health care benefits, the veteran must enroll with the VA first. The VA can match patients to a qualified healthcare provider and can discuss what conditions meet the criteria for abortion care.
According to current legal standards, the goal of treatment is to restore the health of the veteran whose life is put in danger by carrying a pregnancy to term. Although the qualifications for rape or incest are required in certain situations, self-reporting incidents can serve as evidence for applicants to qualify.
Because of the Interim Final Rule, the VA can now offer abortion and pregnancy-related care to more locations throughout the country as long as the care falls within the range of the conditions of their employment over state restrictions.
Each case is unique; therefore, decisions on such care must be based on an evaluation of the circumstances between the patient and her health care provider.
Counseling with pregnancy options will also be arranged through the VA and healthcare provider. In regards to specific state restrictions to abortion care, the VA acts within the bounds of legislation to allow beneficiaries to have abortion care within reach regardless of their location. Call the Women Veterans Call Center at 1-855-VA-WOMEN for specific questions.
Reproductive Health Services Offered Through the VA
Veterans and eligible service members and family members may seek reproductive health services that aid in fertility, contraceptives (including emergency contraceptives), menopause treatment, and pregnancy-related treatment, including ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage care intended to save lives.
The menu of services offers counseling for those seeking and qualifying for abortion care when eligible by meeting lawful conditions in which the life of the veteran or pregnant person endangers their life or is the aftereffect of rape or incest.
VA beneficiaries that are involved with CHAMPVA, The Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, a program which helps cover costs in cooperation with the VA, through the Department of Veterans Affairs, (not to be confused with TRICARE) are eligible for services.
The VA’s Veterans Community Care Program (VCCP), VA pays for abortion counseling from community providers and if all conditions are met, the VA may pay for abortions from providers in the community as well.
Related: Military Spouse and Dependent Benefits Guide
In Vitro Care Options
If you and your spouse are experiencing pregnancy failure or the inability to conceive, the VA may provide IVF and related treatments if conditions are met.
The VA offers infertility assessments and counseling, tests and imaging services, hormone therapies and fertility medications, egg and sperm freezing, surgical corrections and procedures, including intrauterine insemination, tubal ligation reversal, vasectomy reversal, and sperm retrieval techniques.
To qualify for these services the VA beneficiary must be legally married. The husband must be able to produce sperm or have frozen sperm; the wife must have a healthy uterus and produce eggs.
At press time, donor and surrogacy services are not covered by the VA, however, some adoption services may be eligible for reimbursement up to $2,000.
VA Women’s Care Services Pre and Post-Pregnancy
For those who wish to prevent pregnancy, birth control options through the VA include Long Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARCs) including contraceptive implants, Intrauterine Devices (IUDs), hormone pills, patches, rings, condoms, sponges, cervical caps, and spermicides.
The VA also provides access to same-day emergency contraception if needed. For more permanent birth control options, ask the VA about Tubal Ligation and Bilateral Salpingectomy; the removal of both fallopian tubes can be arranged.
For those who are trying to get pregnant, the VA offers classes for breastfeeding and lactation and supplies like breast pumps, nursing/pumping bras, breast pads, cream and shields, milk storage bags, and postpartum support belts in preparation for your upcoming arrival.
The VA is there for you throughout your pregnancy and connects birth and recovery with Maternity Care Coordinators who will check in and verify the need for other resources.
In the case of pregnancy loss, counseling services are given, the VA will help you understand your options and access physical and mental health care as well as help you navigate the billing process.
Related: Military Spouse and Dependent Benefits Guide
Sexual Health and Cancer Care Options
The Womens’ Center can aid with pelvic floor physical therapy, menopause hormone and non-hormone therapies like hormone pills or patches, and other gynecological treatments.
Additional services and treatments are offered to those suffering from military sexual trauma to address mental health support.
The VA also offers cancer screenings and prevention, such as pap tests and HPV vaccines. In the case of a positive cancer result, the Women’s Center connects patients to specialists to create a treatment plan with a gynecologist or specialist, including medication when conditions are met for those who are diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.
Suicide Prevention for Women Veterans
All veterans have access through the VA to suicide prevention services. If you or a loved one are experiencing suicidal thoughts, seek help right away.
The VA can help with access to peer specialists, veteran self-help resources, counseling and therapy and connection to suicide prevention coordinators. If you or someone you know is suffering a mental health crisis, seek help immediately. \
To learn more, visit VA.gov/ReproductiveHealth, and Women Veterans can call or text the Women Veterans Call Center at (855) 296-636. VA health facility locations are listed at https://www.va.gov/findlocations.
Call (877) 222-8387 Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET to learn more about VA Health or contact the Veterans Benefits Administration at (800) 827-1000 to learn about what is available to you at www.vba.va.gov.
Related: Military Spouse and Dependent Benefits Guide
About the author
Kena Sosa is an award-winning author, filmmaker and percussionist. She
earned her BA from OLLU and her MBEGT from SMU. She published two
award-winning children’s books. Kena has written for CBS/DFW Local and
Multicultural Review Magazine. She was the Guest Editor for the Fall/Winter
2023 ChildArt Magazine issue. Kena has written for Recon Media since 2023.
