Illinois Medicaid to Provide for Gender Surgery

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Published on April 5 2019 3:41 pm
Last Updated on April 5 2019 3:41 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services Friday announced that the state's Medicaid program will begin covering gender surgeries for members under new policies being established.

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker said, "Expanding Medicaid to cover gender affirming surgeries is cost effective, helps avoid long term health consequences, and most importantly is the right thing to do."

Under the proposed coverage rules, Medicaid members age 21 and older who are diagnosed with gender dysphoria will now be eligible for genital and breast-related surgeries.

The new policy will include Medicaid members in HealthChoice Illinois, the state's managed care program, as well as those receiving their care through traditional fee-for-service.