A common misconception within the LGBTQ+ community is the belief that there are specific health insurance plans tailored exclusively for them like gay insurance, lesbian insurance, etc. In reality, they have the same insurance plans as the other people around them.
At the same time, it should be acknowledged that the LGBTQ+ community may face distinct health insurance challenges compared to others, and these factors should be taken into consideration.
Below are the points to remember while picking a health insurance company for LGBTQ+ people. Also, the list of companies that support LGBTQ+ people by implementing various measures to help their employees and customers who are part of the LGBTQ+ community
Key Features in Selecting the Best Health Insurance for the LGBTQ+ Community
Gender-Affirming Care
Gender-affirming care means helping individuals align their inner sense of who they are, their gender identity, with how they look and feel on the outside. This could mainly include Hormone Therapy, Gender Confirmation Surgeries, Voice and Speech Therapy, Mental Health support removal or Growth Treatment
Mental Health Coverage
Everyone knows the LGBTQ community faces challenges every day by society, which could lead to serious mental health problems In that case, it is crucial to cover mental health coverage in insurance and an ideal LGBTQ-friendly insurance company would cover Counseling and Therapy, Psychiatric Services, Substance Abuse Treatment, Support for Trauma and Discrimination, Online Counseling Services, Preventive Mental Health Services
Same-Sex Couples Coverage
LGBTQ-friendly insurers should provide coverage for same-sex couples, family plans, spouse benefits, and support for assisted reproductive technologies, adoption, and other family-building options in their insurance
Employee Benefits
Many insurance companies provide employee benefits, including health insurance, and actively promote LGBTQ inclusivity. Companies also offer diversity and inclusion training, support employee resource groups, and provide additional benefits to LGBTQ employees and their families.
Supportive Customer Service
To identify which company is best for lgbtq health insurance, you should look at their customer service because a good company would often have trained customer service representatives who are knowledgeable and sensitive to the unique concerns of LGBTQ individuals.
Read Reviews and Testimonials
Before considering any insurance plan or selecting any company, always read the reviews and testimonials from other LGBTQ individuals who have experience with the insurance companies you are considering. Online platforms and LGBTQ community forums could provide valuable feedback about the insurer’s commitment to inclusivity and customer satisfaction.
Health Insurance companies in the USA
UnitedHealthcare
- Covers gender-affirming care, including hormone therapy, gender-affirming surgery, and mental health care for gender dysphoria
- The company also has a variety of LGBTQ+-focused resources on its website, including information about gender-affirming care, mental health, and legal issues
- United Healthcare also provides support with its trained, dedicated team for LGBTQ+ employees and customers
Kaiser Permanente
- Kaiser offers spousal benefits and insurance for same-sex domestic partners. These benefits include life insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, and health insurance.
- The company has several LGBTQ+-focused employee resource groups (ERGs) that offer networking and support to LGBTQ+ staff members
- They also provide training to employees on LGBTQ-related issues
Anthem Inc
- Anthem supports LGBTQ people by providing same-sex domestic partner and spousal benefits to all employees
- They also have several diversity and inclusion initiatives in place to support LGBTQ+ employees, including a company-wide LGBTQ+ ERG, unconscious bias training, and mentorship programs
Centene Corporation
- Like other companies above, Centene also offers same-sex domestic partner and spousal benefits to all employees
- Centene donates millions of dollars to LGBTQ+ community organizations each year (number is unknown)
- Centene was recognized as the “Best Place to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality” by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation in 2022.
- Centene has many volunteer programs that support LGBTQ+ causes.
Humana Inc
- Humana provides insurance coverage for gender-affirming care, including hormone therapy, gender-affirming surgery, and mental health care for gender dysphoria
- It also offers a variety of LGBTQ+-focused resources on its website, including information about gender-affirming care, mental health, and legal issues
- They also have a dedicated team that provides support to LGBTQ employees and customers.
CVS Health
- CVS Health now provides same-sex domestic partner and spousal benefits to all employees.
- They also have a number of LGBTQ+-focused training programs for employees, including unconscious bias training and ally training.
- Has a dedicated LGBTQ+ customer service team that provides support to employees and customers.
Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC)
- Their insurance covers gender-affirming care, including hormone therapy, gender-affirming surgery, and mental health care for gender dysphoria.
- Provides LGBTQ-friendly resources on their website.
- Dedicated team for LGBTQ+ customers and employees
CIGNA
- Provides the same insurance coverage as CVS Health.
- That is the same-sex spousal benefit for all employees.
- Dedicated team for LGBTQ customers and employees.
- LGBTQ training program for all employees.
Molina Healthcare
- Provide the same insurance coverage as United Healthcare, Kaiser Permanente, Humana Inc, and HCSC
Independence Health Group
- Provide the same insurance coverage as Kaiser Permanente, CVS Health, and CIGNA
Conclusion
All of the above health insurance companies support the LGBTQ+ community by providing various coverages in their insurance, so we could say that all of these companies are LGBTQ+-friendly health insurance companies.
It is advisable to check each plan according to your needs, and the prices could vary based on your location.
If your claims keep getting rejected, then you can check out this article on why your insurance claims keep getting rejected.
