This past May, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a final rule implementing Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in the healthcare system. While Section 1557 has been in effect since 2010, the final rule extends additional protections to transgender individuals seeking transition-related health services, which can include gender reassignment surgery. The rule went into effect July 18th, although provisions affecting health insurance plan benefit design will become effective January 2017.
Continue Reading HHS Final Rule Extends Anti-Discrimination Protection to Transgender Patients