Does TRICARE Cover Birth Control? 2026 Rates & Rules | TRICARE.com

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## Quick answer Yes, TRICARE covers most FDA-approved birth control methods with **$0 out-of-pocket costs** for active duty service members and their families. This includes oral contraceptives, IUDs, contraceptive shots, and permanent procedures like tubal ligation or vasectomies, though some costs may apply for retirees and their families depending on where the service is received.

Details

TRICARE coverage for birth control (contraception) is designed to support family planning and medical necessity. Coverage varies slightly based on the method and the pharmacy or provider used.

### Prescription Contraceptives For most beneficiaries (excluding some retirees and their families on specific plans), there is a **$0 copayment** for generic and brand-name formulary birth control pills, patches, and rings when filled through: * Military pharmacies. * TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery (Express Scripts). * **Note for 2026:** While active duty family members (ADFMs) pay $0 at retail pharmacies, retirees may have a small copay depending on their specific plan tier.

### Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) TRICARE covers the following "set and forget" methods: * **IUDs (Intrauterine Devices):** Covered under the medical benefit. If performed by an in-network provider, there is typically no cost-share for ADFMs. * **Contraceptive Implants (e.g., Nexplanon):** Covered as a medical procedure. * **Injections (e.g., Depo-Provera):** Covered when administered by a healthcare provider.

### Permanent Contraception * **Tubal Ligation:** Covered as a surgical procedure. * **Vasectomy:** Covered as a surgical procedure. * **Note:** TRICARE does not cover the reversal of these procedures unless it is medically necessary to treat a separate health condition.

### Emergency Contraception TRICARE covers emergency contraceptive pills (the "morning-after pill"). * **With a prescription:** $0 cost at military pharmacies and through home delivery. * **Without a prescription (OTC):** Can be obtained at retail pharmacies, but you may have to pay out-of-pocket unless you have a prescription from a provider to trigger the TRICARE pharmacy benefit.

### What is NOT Covered * **Condoms:** These are generally not covered. * **Non-prescription spermicides or sponges:** Typically not covered. * **Infertility treatments:** While birth control is covered, procedures to *increase* fertility (like IVF) are generally not covered, with very limited exceptions for seriously ill or injured active duty members.

## Who this affects * **Active Duty Service Members:** Full coverage, $0 cost-share. * **Active Duty Family Members (ADFMs):** $0 cost-share for most methods. * **Retirees and their Families:** Covered, but may have copayments for office visits or pharmacy refills depending on the plan (Prime vs. Select) and the provider status. * **National Guard and Reserve:** Covered under TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) with similar structures to TRICARE Select.

## Sources * TRICARE.mil: [Contraceptive Services](https://www.tricare.mil/CoveredServices/IsItCovered/ContraceptiveServices) * Defense Health Agency (DHA): [Birth Control Pharmacy Benefit](https://health.mil) * Express Scripts: [TRICARE Formulary Search Tool](https://www.express-scripts.com/frontend/open-enrollment/tricare/fst/) * TriWest Healthcare Alliance (West Region): [Provider Services](https://www.triwest.com)