Gender care and coverage overview
Blue Cross is committed to equitable standards of care and health coverage for transgender and non-binary people
Blue Cross is committed to equitable standards of care and health coverage for transgender and non-binary people
All people should have equal opportunity to live consistently with their gender identity. That's why we're committed to supporting transgender and non-binary individuals, their families and their employers.
This is a partnership. We recognize that transgender and non-binary people are one of many marginalized groups who experience inequitable care and service within the health care system. We want to change that.
We are collaborating with our transgender associates and members and want to walk with them, and you, through the health care and insurance systems so we can hopefully make navigating them far easier for others in the future. If you have any questions about gender-related care, we encourage you to reach out to our Gender Services Team. We are here to listen, discuss, and provide whatever support you need.
Guidance for Blue Cross's transgender and non-binary members to help manage your care and navigate insurance
Toll-free: (866) 694-9361
See Gender Services FAQ
Check your benefits, claims, connect to wellness programs and more.
LGBTQ+ specialized virtual care for Medicaid and employer-provided plan members
Comprehensive range of services*, including gender-affirming care, primary care, mental health care, sexual and reproductive health services, fertility consultations, and more.
*In-network for MN residents
Coverage for any medical procedure, including gender-affirming procedures, varies by health plan. It’s important to understand what your specific health plan covers and what treatment choices, such as out-of-network providers or non-covered services, may lead to more personal expenses. The first place you should look is your benefit booklet.
While being transgender or non-binary is not a mental disorder, gender dysphoria refers to the distress that may accompany the conflicting feelings between one’s experienced or expressed gender and one’s assigned gender. Most plans include some form of mental health support.
If you can't find the information you are looking for, call our Gender Services Team at 866-694-9361 toll-free or call the customer service number on the back of your member ID card.
In some instances, employer groups choose to not cover transition-related gender confirmation care and services. If that is true for your plan, you will be able to locate that information in the general exclusions section of your benefit booklet. If you can't find your benefit booklet, please call the customer service number on your member ID card for help.
Ultimately, you can see any doctor you'd like. But in-network providers are more affordable. If you choose to see providers who are not in your plan’s network, you will likely have to pay for more or all of that care.
You can find your network name by logging into the member portal and use our Find a Doctor tool to confirm which providers are considered "in-network" for you.
Our Gender Services Team is also available to help you find a doctor and connect you to providers who have experience with gender care.
We need your member ID and group number to check your benefit booklet to see if gender-affirming care is covered or if specific gender-affirming services are included. Please contact customer service (the number is on the back of your insurance card) or our gender care team for that information.
What is included in the specific insurance product you have, and who the decision maker will be, varies depending on how you get your insurance. You can always reach out to the gender services team to learn more about your unique plan and what your care options are.
There may be an option to purchase an individual plan either as your primary insurance or a supplement to an employer policy. We recommend making sure you are eligible for services before purchasing. For contact information and more details about buying a plan, visit bluecrossmn.com/contact.
For plans that use the Blue Cross Gender Affirming Policy, age limitations or requirements will be stated within the policy.
What hair removal provider can I go to? How do I get hair removal if hair removal businesses don't accept insurance?
If your plan provides coverage for gender affirming care, and if the provider is contracted with Blue Cross, they will submit claims on your behalf. However, if the provider is not contracted with us, you can get hair removal services from a provider of your choice but you will need to pay up-front for the service, then submit claims to get reimbursed. Please contact gender.services@bluecrossmn.com for assistance with submitting these claims.
If your plan provides coverage for gender affirming care, they will be considered in-network.
This depends on your specific health plan and the medication being prescribed. Please call the number on the back of your insurance card and/or Customer Service to confirm benefits and coverage requirements.
Please contact gender.services@bluecrossmn.com if you need assistance submitting a hair removal claim.
Steps:
Providers that meet the Minnesota Department of Human Services (MDH) qualifications for a mental health professional can write this letter. MDH has two categories for this.
Minnesota Statutes §245.4871 Subd. 26 is a Mental Health Practitioner that has at least a bachelor's degree in behavioral health or has worked with individuals with mental health concerns for at least 4,000 hours AND receives treatment supervision.
Minnesota Statutes §245.4871 Subd. 27 is a Mental Health Professional who is independently licensed. These can include psychiatrists, registered nurses that specialize in mental health, psychologists, social workers, counselors or marriage and family therapists. Common credentials (letters) associated with Mental Health Professionals in Minnesota are LICW, LMFT, LPCC, LP, MD, PMHNP and FNP.
Please see above.
Keep a copy for your records. If this is for hair removal services only, please email the letter to gender.services@bluecrossmn.com. If this is for surgery, please email/provide the letter to your surgeon's office, who will send the letter(s) to Blue Cross with their Prior Authorization paperwork.
You need a letter from your mental health provider that is written addressing and validating the requirements that are listed in the medical policy- Opens in a new window needed to meet the criteria for the service.
If you are seeking bottom surgery, you will need two letters: one from your mental health provider and the second from a mental health professional who you do not have an ongoing relationship with but has only provided an evaluation.
If your plan provides coverage for gender affirming care, medical necessity must be documented. You will need to do this via a letter from your treating speech therapist (who will indicate that speech therapy was tried and failed, and surgery will provide further benefit) and your mental health provider.
You will need to provide a copy of the letter by mail, email or in-person. Please ask your surgeon's office how they would like to obtain a copy of the letter.
This depends on your plan, so please contact our team at gender.services@bluecrossmn.com or (866) 694-9361 for a personalized answer.
Yes, we have a dedicated team member who works with Medical Assistance (Medicaid) members. Please email gender.services@bluecrossmn.com or (866) 694-9361 and provide your name, the name listed on your health insurance card, member ID, date of birth and what you need assistance with.
We can help you find a trans or non-binary friendly provider. Email us at gender.services@bluecrossmn.com or call (866) 694-9361.
If you have a Medicaid plan through Blue Cross, then the BCBSMN policy is what applies.
This depends on your plan so please contact our team at gender.services@bluecrossmn.com or (866) 694-9361 for a personalized answer.
The response to this question depends on your plan, so please read the answer below that correlates with your plan.
Transgender individuals, their families and their employers are welcome to reach out to our Gender Services Team. All conversations are confidential and complimentary.
While we cannot offer specific medical advice, we can help explain common gender-related care options like hormone treatment, puberty blockers, gender affirming behavioral health services, top and bottom surgery, hair removal and more.
Ask whatever is on your mind and we'll do our best to answer your questions and provide more information.
All health insurance plans include many benefits, such as preventive care coverage, mental health support, chronic disease management and more.
We can help you determine what your plan offers and direct you to additional resources that support your whole wellness. We can also help you understand your coverage for gender-affirming hair removal and how to submit claims.
We'll do our best to guide you and can help review your plan information to determine your coverage, potential costs and best in-network options.
When appropriate, our Gender Services Team may pull in another Blue Cross customer service representative to help answer specific coverage and claim questions.
We can help you find doctors and clinicians who are experienced in serving gender non-conforming patients, review your general care options and generally troubleshoot any problems you might encounter.
Consider us your one-stop-shop for navigating health care to make your gender care decisions.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota medical policies apply generally to all Blue Cross and Blue Plus plans and products. Benefit plans vary in coverage and some plans may not provide coverage for certain services addressed in the medical policies.
Medicaid products and some self-insured plans may have additional policies and prior authorization requirements. As applicable, review the provisions relating to a specific coverage determination, including exclusions and limitations. Note that services with specific coverage criteria may be reviewed retrospectively to determine if criteria are being met. Retrospective denial of claims may result if criteria are not met.
For Medicare NCD and/or Medicare LCD, please consult CMS or National Government Services websites.
Folx Health is an independent company that provides gender care services.