California's Department of Managed
Health Care (DMHC) has confirmed that a non-discrimination law
guarantees all people the right to access coverage for medically
necessary care regardless of gender identity or expression.
The DMHC on Tuesday reminded providers
of their obligations under the Insurance Gender Nondiscrimination Act
(IGNA).
“IGNA prohibits health plans from
denying a person a contract (health coverage), or from limiting
benefits, because of the individual's sex,” the
DMHC wrote in a letter to providers. “IGNA defines 'sex' to
include 'gender,' 'gender identity' and 'gender expression.' IGNA
requires health plans to provide transgender individuals with the
same contracts and coverage benefits that are available to
non-transgender individuals.”
The DMHC's letter instructs health
plans to remove exclusions and limitations related to gender
transition.
“This is an important step in
protecting the health of all Californians, including transgender
individuals,” Democratic House Speaker John A. Perez said in a
statement. “No Californian should be denied care and treatment
because of their gender identity or expression. Implementation of
California's Insurance Gender Nondiscrimination Act (IGNA) is a
simple matter of fairness and equality in health care. I commend the
Department of Managed Health Care for issuing its Director's Letter
reminding health care service plans of their obligation to comply
with IGNA.”
Masen Davis, executive director of
Transgender Law Center, applauded the move.
“This one letter will save lives,”
Davis said. “For years, transgender Californians have been denied
coverage of basic care merely because of who we are. Discriminatory
insurance exclusions put transgender people and our families at risk
for health problems and financial hardship. Now we can finally get
the care we need.”