Lifting the Ban

The Obama administration, namely the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is considering lifting the ban under Medicare rules on Sex Reassignment Surgery (SRS) for patients diagnosed with Gender Identity Condition (GIC) and undergoing a medically supervised course of treatment for which SRS is recommended.

They should lift the ban and allow patients to be covered for SRS as part of their transition. That's common sense since the initial decision to ban SRS was made in the 1960's and the last decision on it was made in the 1980's. Science has changed a lot to show SRS is doable and affordable with a high success rate and few complications.

That's the good news, but I wouldn't hold your breath if you're on Medicare. It will be some time before the ban is lifted and then more time to find surgeons willing to accept Medicare patients for the remibursement, meaning if you still want it, get out your checkbook.

I say this because over 3 years ago the Obama administration sent a letter to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) which oversees the Federal Employees Health Benefit (FEHB) program for health insurance for active and retired federal and postal retirees to lift the ban under that program.

The exclusion still exists in the health insurance plans offered to members and their families. While it is illegal to discriminate against transgender (in or post transition) employees, it is still legal for health insurance companies to discriminate against anyone undergoing a transition.

In short, it's the same answer and situation. While a few health insurance companies provide full coverage for GIC, including SRS, the coverage for employees are mostly provided directly by hundreds of companies and corporations as part of the employee's benefits.

So how about it President Obama, stop talking and recommending change, but actually see it happens with both the FEHB and Medicare?

Three years is too long for those who have already transitioned out of their own pocket for something which the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and the American Medical Association (AMA) have supported being covered by insurance.

GIC is a known and treatable condition with a long standing course of course of medically supervised treatment with over 98% successful satisfaction for patients. Reducing the out-of-pocket expenses to the affordable range which their health insurance is the right thing.

It's the human and humane thing to do. How about some action now Mr. President? Words don't write checks, and people with GIC have long paid the financial price with many still waiting to save for it. Don't talk, act!