Maryland Expands Gender-Affirming Care Medicaid Benefits

Per the Maryland Department of Health: “The Maryland Department of Health today announced the expansion of gender-affirming care in the Maryland Medicaid program, effective January 1. The Trans Health Equity Act requires Medicaid to cover additional gender-affirming care, ensuring equitable health care access for individuals who are transgender and gender diverse.

“The health and well-being of all Marylanders is our number one priority, and the expansion of the gender-affirming care benefits brings much-needed equity and opportunity for those who may not have had access to such services,” said Secretary of Health Dr. Laura Herrera Scott.

To be eligible for benefits, individuals must be enrolled in Maryland Medicaid and should speak with a health care provider to determine what services meet their health needs. New covered services include:

• Hormone therapy and lab testing
• Voice surgery, therapy and lessons
• Hair removal and transplants
• Fertility preservation services
• Facial surgery
• Top surgery
• Gender affirming surgery
• Preventative care after transition
• Revision or reversal of prior gender-affirming procedures

“The Department is making significant strides towards inclusive health care, ensuring we provide equitable and respectful care for all individuals. The launch of gender-affirming benefits as part of the Medicaid program will ensure equity for transgender and nonbinary individuals,” said Deputy Secretary for Health Care Financing & Medicaid Director Ryan Moran.

“It has been a pleasure to work with the dedicated staff at the Maryland Department of Health and so many others who advocated for this expansion to ensure inclusive and equitable access to medically necessary and life saving gender-affirming healthcare,” said Director of the Maryland Commission on LGBTQIA+ Affairs Jeremy Browning. “The Trans Health Equity Act is a monumental step towards dismantling barriers and ensuring that transgender and nonbinary individuals have access to the healthcare they deserve. The Moore-Miller Administration has been a strong champion of LGBTQIA+ equity and we look forward to continued collaboration to leave no one behind.”

“This legislation emerged from the trans community experiences shared with our organization at Pride festivals and support groups around Maryland about barriers of access to care,” said Lee Blinder, Executive Director of Trans Maryland. “We are grateful to every individual who worked toward passing this groundbreaking bill. Thanks to the Moore-Miller Administration, Maryland is a sanctuary state for transgender people, and we will continue to work closely with the Administration to ensure expansion of access continues.”

To learn more about Medicaid’s gender-affirming care coverage, visit health.maryland.gov/genderaffirmingcare”