Private Sector Implementation of Transgender-Inclusive Health Insurance Coverage
This page is part of a set of resources for employers to implement transgender-inclusive health insurance coverage. See "Benefits for Transgender Employees and Dependents" for the complete set of resources.
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 86 major employers — including the City and County of San Francisco and 85 businesses that participated in the HRC Corporate Equality Index 2011 — 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, The Coca-Cola Co., Eastman Kodak, General Motors, Goldman Sachs, IBM, Johnson & Johnson, Kraft Foods Inc., Microsoft, Nike, and Walt Disney Co.
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.
| Fortune 100 | Fortune 500 | Fortune 1000 | AmLaw 200 | Raw Totals | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 Totals | 25 (25%) | 39 (8%) | 40 (4%) | 16 (8%) | 69 (—) |
(Data from the 2011 CEI report)
- List of the businesses that have implemented Transgender-Inclusive Health Insurance in the Corporate Equality Index Report
- Case Study: San Francisco City and County Transgender Health Benefit
