NV: Bill seeks coverage for gender-affirming procedures advocates call 'anything but cosmetic'
On Wednesday, state lawmakers held a hearing on proposed legislation that would mandate health insurance, including Medicaid, cover all medically necessary gender-affirming treatments and eliminate the administrative exclusions that have historically been used to avoid paying for treatments classified as “cosmetic.”
“The goal of the bill is to stop insurance companies from discriminating against people based on their gender or their gender identity,” Sen. Melanie Scheible (D-Las Vegas) said during an interview about her proposed legislation, SB163.
Without insurance coverage for treatments such as hormone therapy or gender-affirming surgery, Scheible said many transgender people may be unable to access the care that they need to manage their condition and improve their quality of life. She said this can lead to increased health risks and reduced well-being, as well as economic burdens from out-of-pocket expenses.
In 2015, under then-Gov. Brian Sandoval, the Nevada Division of Insurance issued bulletin 15-002 prohibiting the denial, exclusion or limitation of medically necessary health care services based on gender identity or expression. For example, a plan covering a medically essential mastectomy for a cisgender woman must also cover a medically necessary mastectomy for a transgender man.
https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/bill-seeks-coverage-for-gender-affirming-procedures-advocates-call-anything-but-cosmetic
