Watch CBS News

Massachusetts To Cover Gender Identity Treatment

BOSTON (AP) — The Patrick administration is seeking to extend health care coverage for medically necessary treatment for gender identity or gender dysphoria including hormone therapy and gender-reassignment surgery.

The administration said Friday that in coming weeks MassHealth will publish proposed regulations for the coverage for residents who need transgender-related services.

Gender dysphoria is the diagnosis given to people who experience extreme distress due to a disconnect between their birth sex and gender identity.

The administration said the state Division of Insurance will also advise health insurers that they may not deny services ordinarily available to individuals based on the perceived gender identity of that person when the denial is due only to the individual being identified as belonging to the other sex.

The change also applies to individuals who have undergone, or are undergoing, gender transition.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

MORE LOCAL NEWS FROM CBS BOSTON

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.