Federal Agency Reviewing Trans-Exclusionary Insurance Policies

The Office of Personnel Management is reviewing the insurance policies currently offered to agency employees, evaluating whether or not to include transition-related care on future plans.

The federal Office of Personnel Management is in the process of evaluating its healthcare benefit program offered to agency employees specifically looking into exclusions for transition-related care often sought by transgender workers.

Should OPM opt to add transition-specific coverage to insurance policies for its more than 6,000 employees, it would become the first federal agency to do so.

Transition-related care may consist of hormone replacement therapy, mental health services, and gender-confirming surgeries. These services, currently excluded under federal health insurance plans, can end up costing an individual tens of thousands of dollars out-of-pocket, putting the medically necessary treatment outside the financial reach of many of those who need it most.

According to Federal Times, any changes to OPM's insurance policies will be shown as coverage options in future policy offerings.

In the meantime, the U.S. Department ofHealth and Human Servicesis evaluating whether or not the exclusion of transition-related care in health insurance plans actually constitutes a violation of federal law. The agency's findings could lead to increased trans coverage in insurance plans nationwide.

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Federal Agency Reviewing Trans-Exclusionary Insurance Policies