WPATH Statement About The Medical Necessity Of Treatment For Gender-Identity Issues

World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) issued a statement about the medical necessity of treatment for gender-related issues. This is another very positive step towards requiring insurance coverage for patients who need gender identity medical care.

“The WPATH Standards of Care for Gender Identity Disorders were first issues in 1979, and articulate the ‘professional consensus about the psychiatric, psychological, medical and surgical management of GID.’ Periodically revised to reflect the latest clinical practice and scientific research, the Standards also unequivocally reflect this Association’s conclusion that treatment is medically necessary.”
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“The current Board of Directors of WPATH herewith expresses its conviction that sex reassignment, properly indicated and performed as provided by the Standards of Care, has proven to be beneficial and effective in treatment of individuals with transsexualism, gender identity disorder, and/or gender dysphoria.”
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“The medical procedures attendant to sex reassignment are not “cosmetic” or “elective” or for the mere convenience of the patient. These reconstructive procedures are not optional in any meaningful sense, but are understood to be medically necessary for the treatment of the diagnosed condition…”
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“These medical procedures and treatment protocols are not experimental: decades of both clinical experience and medical research show they are essential to achieving weel-being for transsexual patient…”
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“The WPATH Board of Directors urges health insurance carriers and healthcare providers in the United States to eliminate transgender or trans-sex exclusions and and to provide coverage for transgender patient and the medically prescribed sex-reassignment services necessary for treatment and well-being, and to ensure that their ongoing healthcare (both routine and specialized) is readily accessible.”

This statement from WPATH and the policy resolutions last month from the AMA (Resolutions 114 and 122), along with the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities ruling that gender identity are covered by the state Anti-Discrimination statues are powerful tools that you can add to your toolbox to argue that your treatment should be covered by insurance here in Connecticut.