New Rules Bar Transgender Discrimination In Health Care

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/transgender-discrimination-health-care_55e85120e4b0aec9f3562adf?utm_hp_ref=transgender

The Huffington Post/by Jeffrey Young
Health Care Reporter, The Huffington Post Posted: 09/03/2015 11:19 AM EDT | Edited: 31 minutes ago

"WASHINGTON -- The Obama administration is making a major push for transgender rights by prohibiting health insurance companies and medical providers from discriminating against patients because of their gender identities.
Under a proposed regulation issued by the Department of Health and Human Services Thursday, transgender people would be entitled to equal treatment in health care and would gain the legal right to make civil rights claims against insurers, doctors, hospitals and others who deny them coverage or necessary care because they are transgender. That includes forbidding health insurers from categorically excluding treatments related to gender transitions."

Until Tricare stops denying my claims for psych treatment and blood testing for pre-hormone levels, I'm not buying it at all.

It still doesn't force insurance to cover SRS or even an orchiectomy so it has no teeth.  I mean what does it do?

Quote from: Amy1988 on September 05, 2015, 07:48:56 AM
It still doesn't force insurance to cover SRS or even an orchiectomy so it has no teeth.  I mean what does it do?

Very little it sounds like.  Saying "you can't openly discriminate against someone because of X" doesn't stop it from happening.  It's like applying for a job and being rejected because "there were better candidates" instead of "I didn't like your skin color" or "I don't accept your self-identity."

But it gives politicians something else to put on their resumes.

I did find this page which mentions a few ways you can get insurance to cover your stuff. There's at least a way to start off with insurance coverage:

QuoteThere are ways to get around insurance exclusions. Sometimes hormones can be covered if your doctor uses hormone imbalance, or some other non-gender identity related, diagnosis. Gender identity counseling can be often covered if your therapist uses an anxiety or adjustment disorder diagnosis code.

This is from Blue Cross/Blue Shield: Our Medical Affairs Department indicated that it is generally accepted among professionals that an adult with gender identity disorder who experiences anxiety and stress as a result of the disorder should be treated. Mental health services billed with an anxiety or adjustment disorder diagnosis code would be covered under the mental health benefits available on the plan.

Of particular note however:

• Minnesota's public assistance covers SRS. If you can work, Medica insurance in Minnesota covers SRS, as well as gender therapy and hormones.
  
• Another option is moving to California. As far as I know, their public health insurance (Medi-Cal) will cover SRS. Also, anyone who is an employee of any campus of the University of California will be covered.
  
• Also, Medicaid is increasingly covering SRS
  
• Some provinces in Canada (I believe Alberta does) pay for SRS

Quote from: VenusMinnesota's public assistance covers SRS.

If you're referring to Medical Assistance, no, it doesn't cover SRS. It does cover other transition related health care, but the legislature passed a law in 2005 which specifically forbids MA to cover SRS.

We're working to change that, but at the moment, that's the status quo.