State mandates health insurance for transgender patients

[Natasha]

State mandates health insurance for transgender patients

http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20130429/NEWS03/704299884
4/29/13

Leaders in the medical and LGBT communities are celebrating a new health bulletin they say will require insurance companies to cover "medically necessary services" for transgender Vermonters — a mandate that will include gender-reassignment surgery.

The bulletin, issued by the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation's Division of Insurance, says that "DFR is committed to ensuring that Vermonters do not face discrimination in accessing medically necessary health care benefits, including those based on gender identity and gender dysphoria."

"This is both a simple question of fairness and a matter addressed by existing insurance law and DFR regulation," the bulletin says.

[Hikari]

Might just be time for me to move.

[ZoeM]

Well, Vermont is a pretty state... Move up there for a couple years, get a job with medical, move away sans parts... Perfect plan!

[Hikari]

Interestingly enough, I looked into it and there are a few jobs that have relocation assistance and sign on bonuses from a company that I certainly have the experience to qualify for. What I wonder though is what the details are for the laws around this....

I wounder if it could really be that simple, go work and live there for 6 months to a year, then come back to DC.

[Revenna]

That certainly is an improvement, unfortunately I predict West Virginia will be the last state to adopt such a measure, and even then probably at federal gunpoint. I'm stuck here, so I'm screwed.