Navigating Surrogacy in the Military

Surrogacy for military families offers hope for many longing to have the family of their dreams, but it comes with unique challenges.

Frequent moves, deployments and work-life balance can impact the surrogacy journey.

If you’re currently active military, contact us online now to learn how we can support you during your journey to parenthood.

In this article, we’ll provide an overview of what you should know about surrogacy in the military, including how deployment might affect the process, the role of Tricare and how to find a surrogate who understands military life.

Military surrogacy is an option for service members and their families who want to grow their families when other paths to parenthood, such as IVF, may not have been successful.

However, the military lifestyle presents unique challenges including:

Frequent Moves and Deployment: Military families often face being far from their surrogate during key moments, including the birth.
Work-Life Balance: Active-duty military surrogacy service members may need to plan for leave to meet their new baby or attend key appointments.

But with the right agency, you can enjoy the advantages of surrogacy in the military such as:

Quick Matching Times: At American Surrogacy, we offer 1-6 month matching times, allowing you to start your journey without delays, even if you’re facing the pressures of military life.
Surrogates Familiar with Military Life: We work with surrogates who are comfortable and experienced with the unique needs of military families, including understanding deployment and relocation challenges.
Comprehensive Support: Whether you are stationed overseas or across the country, we provide consistent support throughout the entire process to ensure you remain connected and informed, even when you may be far away.

Active-Duty Military Surrogacy: Important Considerations

If you or your spouse is on active duty, military surrogacy requires careful planning:

Leave Policies: Active-duty service members should plan their leave around the surrogate’s due date and other critical milestones. Military leave policies vary, so it’s important to confirm the specific details with your commanding officer.
Deployment Challenges: Being far from your surrogate during key milestones is common. We help match you with surrogates who are comfortable working with military families.
Medical Coverage: While Tricare may cover fertility treatments, it does not cover the medical expenses related to the surrogate. It’s important to budget for these costs or explore additional resources to manage expenses.

By partnering with us, you can find a surrogate who’s prepared for the realities of military life. Start your search for the right surrogate by contacting us online or check out our available surrogates’ page.

Military Spouses and Surrogacy

When one spouse is deployed, managing a surrogacy journey can feel overwhelming, but it’s entirely possible with proper planning and support.

While deployments can make it difficult for both partners to be present during key moments of the surrogacy journey, there are ways to navigate this challenge.

Here are some key considerations for the non-deployed spouse:

Keeping Your Deployed Spouse Informed: Regular updates, including video calls or photos from appointments and milestones, can help your partner feel involved in the journey, even from a distance.
Legal and Medical Coordination: Handling the legal and medical aspects of surrogacy may be more challenging for the non-deployed spouse. With American Surrogacy, we offer a dedicated team that can help guide you through these steps.
Planning for the Birth: The non-deployed spouse will need to make arrangements for the birth and be prepared to travel if needed. Depending on the deployment and leave policies, it may be possible for the deployed parent to take emergency leave or have video communication during the birth.

Does Tricare Cover Surrogacy?

Unfortunately, Tricare does not cover surrogacy.

If you’re considering IVF as part of your surrogacy journey, Tricare may provide coverage for the IVF process but not for the costs associated with the surrogate’s medical care.

While Tricare doesn’t cover all surrogacy expenses, it’s important to understand what is covered and explore other financial options available to military families.

If you have questions about how Tricare might fit into your surrogacy journey, contact us today.

Does the Military Pay for Surrogacy?

The military does not directly pay for surrogacy, as military insurance programs like Tricare do not cover surrogate compensation or the medical expenses of the surrogate herself.

Although the military won’t cover all your surrogacy expenses, there are other ways to finance your family-building journey:

Military Employer-Benefits

Some military employers and affiliated organizations offer adoption and surrogacy benefits, which may include:

Assistance with Medical Costs: Certain military-sponsored programs may provide partial coverage for fertility treatments, which can reduce overall surrogacy expenses.
Paid Leave Benefits: Active-duty service members may qualify for parental leave after their child is born, making it easier to bond with your baby.
Reimbursement Programs: Some military-affiliated employers offer reimbursement for family-building expenses, including IVF and surrogacy.

If you’re unsure whether your employer provides military surrogacy benefits, contact your HR department or military personnel office.

Grants and Nonprofit Support for Military Surrogacy Families

Several organizations and grants cater specifically to families pursuing surrogacy in the military or other family-building options:

Military Family Building Grant by the Tinina Q. Cade Foundation: Awards up to $10,000 per family and helps cover costs associated with fertility treatments or surrogacy for military families.
Baby Quest Foundation: $2,000 to $16,000 depending on need offering financial assistance for fertility treatments, including costs associated with surrogacy.
Hope for Fertility Foundation Grant: $5,000 to $10,000 and provides funds to military families who have experienced infertility and are pursuing surrogacy or IVF.

Surrogacy After Deployment and Transitioning to Civilian Life

For military families who are transitioning out of active duty or dealing with post-deployment, surrogacy is still a viable option.

The transition back to civilian life can be challenging, and planning for a surrogacy journey might feel overwhelming.

Working with a surrogate and agency experienced in military surrogacy can help simplify this process, ensuring you’re fully supported even after deployment ends.

How to Begin Your Military Surrogacy Journey

Starting surrogacy in the military is simple with American Surrogacy. Even if you’re deployed during your surrogate’s pregnancy, we’ll help you stay involved with regular updates and support.

Military families face unique hurdles when pursuing surrogacy, but with the right agency, you can overcome them.

Let us help you turn your dream of parenthood into reality. Contact us today to start your military surrogacy journey!