CHICAGO, Nov. 10, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- With the tenth largest veteran population in the country, Illinois is the home to many veterans and military service members. To recognize their contributions, Fertility Centers of Illinois is offering free Fertility Awareness Checkups during the month of November and sharing information on a Military Treatment Program that includes free treatment for service-injured veterans as well as treatment discounts for service members.
Military service commonly comes at a family planning cost to male and female service members who tour during their reproductive prime and sustain injuries during service. According to 2013 figures published by Military Medicine, of the estimated 2.2 million active duty members and ready reserve personnel, 16 percent were women and 40 percent were under age 26.
Approximately one in ten military veterans alive today sustained a serious injury during service, with 75 percent of those injuries occurring during combat. Recent combat injuries in Iraq and Afghanistan have proven more detrimental to fertility due to the widespread use of improvised explosive devices in combat zones. As a result, greater rates of spinal cord and genital injuries have been sustained than in conflicts past.
For more than 24 years, Veterans Affairs banned covering the costs of IVF treatment for veterans. In a victorious triumph for service members everywhere, the passage of the MilCon-VA Appropriations Bill in September now appropriates government funding to cover the costs of reproductive services, IVF, and adoption assistance for veterans who have suffered service-related injuries preventing them from growing a family on their own.
“The MilCon-VA Appropriations Bill is a huge victory for our veterans,” explains Dr. Chris Sipe, President of Fertility Centers of Illinois. “We are indebted to our military service members and grateful for their service. We want to show our gratitude by continuing to offer discounted or free fertility treatment services to those who have served.”
Fertility Centers of Illinois’ Military Treatment Program:
- Free treatment, including IVF, for service-injured veterans whose infertility is a result of their injury
- 25% off already discounted self-pay (cash pay) rates for military service members
- Partnership with TRICARE, the health care program for military service members
- Partnership with pharmaceutical manufacturers and industry partners to offer special discount programs for reduced-cost or free medication
- Member of the Serving Our Veterans Program with the American Society for Reproductive Medicine
- Free Fertility Awareness Checkups ($90 value) to all veterans who book appointments during the month of November
"As the spouse of a 21-year Army veteran and someone who has personally undergone IVF and has worked with fertility patients for over 18 years, I know how much it means to be able to have a family as a service member or otherwise," explains Torria Driver, Fertility Navigator with Fertility Centers of Illinois. "Giving back to our vets is important to me, and I am proud to offer fertility treatment help fellow vets in need."
The Fertility Awareness Checkup includes blood tests and an ultrasound for women and a semen analysis for men. A doctor consultation must be booked separately. Veterans can schedule a free Fertility Awareness Checkup by calling 877.324.4483 in November. Veterans must mention they are a service member when making the appointment and provide a valid military I.D. during their scheduled visit.
To learn more about the Military Treatment Program at Fertility Centers of Illinois, please visit https://fcionline.com/military
Fertility Centers of Illinois (FCI) is one of the leading fertility treatment practices in the United States, providing advanced reproductive endocrinology services for over 30 years with more than 35,000 babies born. FCI physicians, embryologists and support staff are stringently chosen based on educational background, medical skills and their ability to collaborate. With a team of nine nationally and internationally recognized physicians who treat thousands of patients each year, the practice has earned a reputation for overcoming hard-to-solve fertility issues. FCI is dedicated to medical and clinical excellence and continues to invest in the latest technologies and research. FCI offers a comprehensive range of fertility treatment options including intrauterine insemination, in vitro fertilization, donor egg, gestational carrier and preimplantation genetic diagnosis, as well as extensive resources to address financial and emotional needs. As the premier fertility practice in the Midwest region, Fertility Centers of Illinois has eight physician offices and two monitoring locations serving patients in the Chicagoland region, northern Indiana, and southern Wisconsin. Learn more by calling 877-324-4483 or visiting www.fcionline.com.