Care and Support for the LGBTQ+ Community
Having a health plan that supports your needs matters. Health Net strives to design health plans that include coverage for benefits and services that are important to members of the LGBTQ+ community.
LGBTQ+ inclusive care benefits
Health plan benefits are available to Health Net members and their qualified dependents, which may include:
- Spouses
- Domestic partners
- Children
Log in to HealthNet.com or call the number on your member ID card for a full list of covered services.
Important: Some plans may not offer the services listed here.
HIV prevention and services
Health Net plans offer support to help keep you and your loved ones healthy. Coverage includes:
- HIV screenings
- Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) medications, as well as lab tests and clinic visits
- Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) medicine
- HIV treatment
Behavioral support
Our provider networks include behavioral health providers who specialize in helping LGBTQ+ people. They serve within communities and via telehealth. And they provide private help to guide you through issues you may be facing.
Gender-affirming care
Gender-affirming procedures and services may include:
- Breast surgery
- Genital surgery
- Hormone therapy
- Hair removal needed for reconstructive surgery
- Hysterectomy (removal of uterus)
- Tracheal (windpipe) shave
- Voice change therapy
- Voice change surgery
All benefits must be deemed medically necessary.
Please refer to your EOC to determine if any of these benefits require prior authorization.
Questions
Connect with Health Net's Member Services
Health Net Member Services is available to:
- Answer your health coverage or plan questions
- Connect you with in-network providers
- Explain your covered benefits
- Help you update the name or address linked to your account
To connect with our Member Services team, please call the number on the back of your member ID card.
Sharecare
A wealth of expert gender ID content is available from our wellness vendor, Sharecare. This content is designed to serve your needs and interests!
We've rolled out the topics below across our platform to better serve all members. These topics include but aren't limited to:
- Review of LGBTQIA+ communities
- Health care access
- Health insurance coverage
- Review of gender-affirming treatments and procedures
- Screening for breast cancer in trans women and men
- Legal and ID documents
And more! Get access to this content when you sign up or log in to your account at healthnet.sharecare.com.
LGBTQ+ Frequently Asked Questions1
What does the word "transgender" mean?
Transgender – or trans – is a broad term for people whose gender identity or expression is different from their biological sex at birth.
What is gender identity and gender expression?
Gender identity refers to a person's innate, deeply-felt identification as a man, woman or some other gender (non-binary). Gender expression refers to the outward display of a person's gender identity. This display may or may not conform to socially-defined behaviors and traits linked with being either male or female.
What is the difference between sex and gender?
Sex refers to the biological make-up of a person at birth as either "male" or "female". It's based on chromosomes (XX=female, XY=male). Gender refers to the ways society believes are correct for men and women to act in regard to:
- Roles
- Behaviors
- Activities
- Attributes
What does it mean to transition?
When someone "transitions" it means the process some transgender people go through to begin living as the gender with which they identify. This may or may not include:
- Hormone therapy
- Sex change surgery
- Other medical procedures
What do the initials FTM and MTF stand for?
FTM stands for female-to-male. It refers to someone who is female at birth but identifies and expresses himself as a man. Many FTM transgender people prefer the term "trans man" to describe themselves. MTF stands for male-to-female and refers to someone who is male at birth but who identifies and expresses herself as a woman. Many MTF transgender people prefer the term "trans woman" to describe themselves.
What does it mean to be "genderqueer"?
Genderqueer is a broad term for gender identities other than man or woman. People who identify as "genderqueer" may see themselves as:
- Being both male and female
- Neither male nor female
- Outside of being male or female
What is gender nonconforming?
Gender nonconforming is a general term for people who do not behave in a way that conforms to the likely actions of their gender. Or, whose gender expression does not fit neatly into a category.
What is the difference between being transgender and being gay?
Being transgender is about a person's gender identity. Being gay is about who a person is attracted to sexually. Gay people like people of the same gender, different genders or both.
Is there a difference between cross-dressing and being transgender?
Yes, cross-dressing refers to people who wear clothes and/or makeup and gear that is not usually linked with their biological sex. Many people who cross-dress are happy with their sex and normally do not wish to change it. Cross-dressing is a form of gender expression that does not reflect a person's gender identity or sexual orientation.
Is being transgender a mental disorder?
No, but this remains a common stereotype about transgender people.
Transgender identity is not a mental illness that can be cured with treatment.2 Rather, transgender people often have a strong and real disconnect between their biological sex and their inner sense of who they are. This is known by medical experts as "gender dysphoria." And it can cause undue pain and distress in the lives of transgender people.
Do all people who transition have surgery?
No, many transgender people can transition well without surgery. Some have no desire to pursue surgeries or medical treatment of any kind. At the same time, many transgender people can't afford or access medical treatment. It is important that civil rights and protections are offered to all transgender people equally, despite their medical histories.
How do I know which pronoun to use?
Transgender people should be recognized with their preferred pronoun. Often this is the pronoun that matches the gender with which they identify. Not sure? It's proper to kindly ask their name and which pronouns they'd prefer.
Can someone be fired for being transgender?
There are states where there is no state law that protects transgender people from being fired for being who they are. In the 2011 National Transgender Discrimination Survey, 47 percent of respondents stated they had a negative job outcome because they were transgender or gender non-conforming. This included:
- Being fired
- Not being hired
- Denied promotion
More Resources for the LGBTQ+ Community
The LGBTQ+ community is vast and diverse. The resources listed below have information on specific subgroups.
- The Trevor Project advocates for and helps LGBTQ+ youth.
- The National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) features transgender rights.
- GLAAD has a database of more resources grouped by population.
- OUT MAINE a group that provides programming and training that lifts up LGBTQ+ youth.
- Shine a Light on Depression includes a free online toolkit for middle and high school communities.
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline a group that has LGBTQ+-specific resources and aid.
- National Alliance on Mental Illness also offers detailed information and support.
- Black Mental Health Alliance (BMHA) features support of Black Mental Health.
- Pride 365+ helps advance, honor and protect the civil rights of all people.
- Human Rights Campaign Safety and equity for all people.
Sources:
1 Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC) 2020 www.hrc.org
2 In December 2012, the American Psychiatric Association announced the latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) would no longer include the term "gender identity disorder." The revised manual replaced "gender identity disorder" with the more neutral term "gender dysphoria."