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Coverage for Gender-Affirming Voice Surgery and Therapy for Transgender Individuals.
- Source :
-
The Laryngoscope [Laryngoscope] 2021 Mar; Vol. 131 (3), pp. E896-E902. Date of Electronic Publication: 2020 Aug 10. - Publication Year :
- 2021
-
Abstract
- Objectives/hypothesis: To determine insurance coverage for gender-affirming surgery and voice therapy for individuals who seek to align their voice with their gender identity, and to analyze differences based on state-by-state transgender equality.<br />Study Design: Cross-sectional study.<br />Methods: Policies from the top three commercial insurers per state in 2019 were reviewed. Coverage status was determined by web-based search, telephone interviews, and email inquiries. A state-by-state equality score was calculated based on the number of laws and policies relating to the transgender community. Correlation between number of preauthorized procedures and state equality scores was assessed.<br />Results: Of the 150 insurance companies reviewed, only four (2.7%) held favorable policies, whereas 113 (75.8%) provided no coverage. Endoscopic surgery, open surgery, individual voice therapy, and group voice therapy interventions were equally excluded (n = 93, 62.4%). Coverage was not correlated with laws driving transgender equality (P = .782).<br />Conclusions: Gender-affirming voice interventions are seldom covered by commercial insurance companies. Despite established medical necessity and years of experience in practice, gender-affirming interventions for voice have not yet been fully considered by third-party payors. Further investigation regarding cost-effectiveness and treatment efficacy is warranted to improve insurance coverage of voice-related gender-affirming care.<br />Level of Evidence: NA Laryngoscope, 131:E896-E902, 2021.<br /> (© 2020 American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society Inc.)
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1531-4995
- Volume :
- 131
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- The Laryngoscope
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 32776558
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1002/lary.28986