BALTIMORE, Maryland — Effective Jan. 1, gender-affirming care benefits are expanding under the Maryland Medicaid program, according to the Maryland Department of Health.
The Trans Health Equity Act requires Medicaid to cover additional gender-affirming care, ensuring equal health care access for individuals who are transgender and gender diverse.
“The health and well-being of all Marylanders is our number one priority, and the expansion of the gender-affirming care benefits brings much-needed equity and opportunity for those who may not have had access to such services,” said Secretary of Health Dr. Laura Herrera Scott.
To be eligible, individuals must be enrolled in Maryland Medicaid and should speak with a health care provider to determine what services meet their health needs. Newly covered services include:
- Hormone therapy and lab testing
- Voice surgery, therapy and lessons
- Hair removal and transplants
- Fertility preservation services
- Facial surgery
- Top surgery
- Gender affirming surgery
- Preventative care after transition
- Revision or reversal of prior gender-affirming procedures
“It has been a pleasure to work with the dedicated staff at the Maryland Department of Health and so many others who advocated for this expansion to ensure inclusive and equitable access to medically necessary and life saving gender-affirming healthcare,” said the Director of the Maryland Commission on LGBTQIA+ Affairs Jeremy Browning. “The Trans Health Equity Act is a monumental step towards dismantling barriers and ensuring that transgender and nonbinary individuals have access to the healthcare they deserve. The Moore-Miller Administration has been a strong champion of LGBTQIA+ equity and we look forward to continued collaboration to leave no one behind.”
To learn more about what's covered, click here.
WATCH NEXT:
Do you have a news tip on this story or any other story? We want to hear from you. Tell us about it by emailing newstips@wusa9.com.
MORE WAYS TO GET WUSA9
DOWNLOAD THE WUSA9 APP
Apple App Store: WUSA9 News on Apple
Google Play Store: WUSA9 News on Android
HOW TO ADD THE FREE WUSA9+ APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE
ROKU: add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching for WUSA9.
For both Apple TV and Fire TV, search for "WUSA9" to find the free app to add to your account. Another option for Fire TV is to have the app delivered directly to your Fire TV through Amazon.
SIGN UP TO RECEIVE WUSA9 NEWSLETTER
Subscribe to our daily WUSA9 Newsletter for top stories from WUSA9 curated daily just for you. Get content and information right now for can’t-miss stories, Commanders content, weather, and more delivered right to your inbox.