MIT Health Trans FAQ - Useful information regarding trans health services at MIT Health.
Blue Cross Blue Shield MA Gender Affirming Services - Information regarding coverage and requirements for trans health services for people with Blue Cross Blue Shield MA health insurance (this includes the MIT student health insurance plan, as well as employee plans). Some highlights (as of March 2024):
Puberty blockers and hormones are covered, at the discretion of the treating provider
Facial feminization and masculinization surgeries, vocal cord surgeries, chest surgeries, genital surgeries, and electrolysis related to genital surgery are covered
All surgeries require a gender dysphoria diagnosis, and some surgeries have additional requirements -- see the services pamphlet for full details. Some surgeons may also have additional requirements beyond what is strictly required by BCBS.
These benefits are subject to change -- see the services pamphlet for the most up-to-date information
MIT Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) summary of benefits - Information regarding co-pays and deductibles for members of the MIT student health insurance plan. Covered gender-affirming surgeries fall into the "outpatient surgery" category.
MIT Student Health Insurance office - Contact information for the MIT student health insurance office, who can help answer questions about SHIP
MIT Health Name/Pronouns/Gender update form - Use this form to update your name, pronouns, and gender marker in your MIT Health record. Note that your gender marker MUST MATCH the marker on your health insurance card, or insurance claims may be rejected.
MIT Registrar/Student Biographical Record Name/Gender update form - Use this form to update your name and gender marker in WebSIS and in your student biographical record. Note that this also changes your gender marker on your health insurance card if you are a SHIP member, so your gender marker here MUST MATCH the marker in your MIT Health record
Please note that these policies may vary significantly for visa holders and green card holders. The resources below are likely most relevant to US citizens.
MA State ID Name/Gender change - This is the process for legally changing your name on your MA driver's license or other state ID. You can also update your gender marker during this process. Medical documentation is not required. This process typically takes at least a few months.
National Transgender Equality Center guide to updating IDs - Information on legal name and gender marker change, and amending your birth certificate (if you were born in the US), in different US states. Policies vary significantly by state. If you would like to amend your birth certificate, you are subject to the policies in the state of your birth, not the state of your current residence.
US Passport Gender change - Information on how to request a new US passport and how to update your gender marker on your passport. Medical documentation is not required. Your name on your passport must match your legal name, so typically people legally change their name and update their driver's license or state ID before updating their passport. You can change your gender marker on your passport without legally changing your name.
What if I want to explore my gender identity with a therapist, or in a support group setting?
MIT Health has gender-affirming clinicians. Students can schedule an appointment here: https://health.mit.edu/services/mental-health-counseling/getting-started
Fenway Health also offers support groups and behavior health services. See current offerings here: https://fenwayhealth.org/care/behavioral-health/support-groups/
I want to start hormones or pursue gender-affirming surgery. How do I get started?
Typically, the first step is to talk to your PCP or visit an informed consent clinic. You can request a PCP at MIT Health here. You can also get a PCP at Fenway Health or at another clinic outside of MIT.
Here are some local informed consent clinics: Planned Parenthood, Fenway Health, Massachusetts General Hospital Transgender Health Program
I want to start hormones or pursue gender-affirming surgery. How much should I expect to pay if I'm on the MIT student health insurance plan?
Surgeries can vary wildly in cost, because some surgeons do not accept insurance, and some procedures are not covered by insurance. For a covered procedure with an in-network surgeon, you will pay nothing after your deductible, which is $100 per calendar year (Jan 1 - Dec 31). This means that if your initial surgical consultation, surgery, and follow-up visits all occur in the same calendar year, you will pay a maximum of $100. If these visits occur in different calendar years, you will pay a maximum of $100 * # of years. For an out-of-network surgeon, you pay 20% of the total cost after your deductible, which can be thousands of dollars, and if your procedure is not covered by insurance, you will have to pay the full cost of your procedure.
See the "outpatient surgery" details in the MIT SHIP summary of benefits for more information on surgery-related coverage
Hormones count as prescriptions, so see the "prescription drug benefits" details in the MIT SHIP summary of benefits for more information. The cost depends a lot on what exactly you're getting.