Private Sector Implementation of Transgender-Inclusive Health Insurance Coverage
While partner benefits have been offered by Fortune 500 businesses since 1990, transgender-inclusive health insurance was not offered by a Fortune 500 business until 2001. Today, at least 52 major employers — including the City and County of San Francisco and 49 businesses that participate in the 2009 HRC Corporate Equality Index — have implemented transgender-inclusive health insurance that covers mental health counseling, hormone therapy, medical visits and surgical procedures, in addition to short-term leave for medical treatment. This includes large corporations such as American Express, Eastman Kodak, General Motors, Goldman Sachs, IBM, Johnson & Johnson, Microsoft and Nike.
These employers are leading the way for others to provide insurance by exploring different options and methods of providing coverage. For example, IBM took a thoughtful and unique approach by bringing Dr. Marci Bowers, a leading male-to-female sex reassignment surgeon, into the company’s network of in-plan providers. Additionally, HRC is aware of some employers that have provided travel benefits for treatment by experienced professionals otherwise unavailable where the employee lives.
The following totals are from the State of the Workplace 2007-2008 Report, released February 2009. See the full report for more information.
| Fortune 100 | Fortune 500 | Fortune 1000 | AmLaw 200 | Raw Totals | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 Total | 18 (18%) | 28 (6%) | 29 (0%) | 8 (4%) | 52 (—) |
- List of the 49 businesses that have implemented Transgender-Inclusive Health Insurance in the Corporate Equality Index 2009 Report
- Case Study: San Francisco City and County Transgender Health Benefit
