Commanders or approval authorities must act promptly when considering a Soldier’s request for an administrative absence to access non-covered reproductive health care, with due regard to the time-sensitive nature of many non-covered reproductive health care services. Requests for administrative absence should be given all due consideration and should be granted to the greatest extent practicable unless, in the commanding officer’s judgment, the Soldier’s absence would impair proper execution of the Army mission. Commanders or approval authorities will not levy additional requirements on the eligible Soldier (including, but not limited to, consultations with a chaplain, medical testing, or other forms of counseling) prior to approving or denying the administrative absence request. If a Soldier is a victim of sexual assault and seeking an abortion for a pregnancy resulting from the sexual assault, with whom would they need to disclose their rape or sexual assault? 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.

performing or working on a contract, service, grant, cooperative agreement, or other assignment for

Disclaimer

In all cases involving minors, DoD personnel should immediately consult with the servicing legal counsel. More information on this policy is available at: www.health.mil/EnsuringAccesstoReproductiveHealth. Yes. Eligible DoD beneficiaries are encouraged to follow-up with their Primary Care Manager or Women’s Health Provider following a pregnancy termination to obtain necessary follow-up care, to include convalescent leave (as indicated) or provision of contraception. This follow-up care is available regardless of whether the abortion service was a covered or non-covered procedure. Additionally, if a patient comes to a MTF with acute complications following a pregnancy termination, it is the duty of the receiving provider to care for these acute issues. By regulation, Active Duty Service members who experience complications resulting from a non- covered treatment also may be authorized for treatment in the private sector if necessary, consistent with applicable law.

remedying the risk of harm to individuals, the recipient agency or entity (including its information

The MOA provides specific procedures to the management of the supporting, extended content (also known as “smartbooks”) for these DA PAMs: 600-3; 600-25; 621-11; 601-280. FORSCOM Lead Sexual Assault Response Coordinators come together to discuss program changes November 17, 2023 Human Resources professionals provide special assistance during a unit inactivation November 21, 2023 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.

o TRICARE Prime: For non-Active Duty patients enrolled in TRICARE Prime, if the closest available care is more than 100 miles away from their primary care manager’s office, TRICARE may reimburse reasonable travel expenses for covered abortions in accordance with applicable rules and regulations. o TRICARE Select: For non-Active Duty patients enrolled in TRICARE Select, a referral will be made but there is no associated reimbursement for travel costs. agency or entity in (1) responding to a suspected or confirmed breach or (2) preventing, minimizing, or adjudicative body or official, when the DoD or other Agency representing the DoD determines thatDoD 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. If a Soldier was sexually assaulted, what is the process by which they could access abortion services for a pregnancy resulting from the sexual assault? What is the process that a Soldier, dependent, or other beneficiary would use to seek covered abortion services? 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. DoD’s Office of Military Community and Family Policy establishes policy for the provision of a range of support services to help military families with major life events, such as a pregnancy.