An HHS appeals board has ruled that Medicare must cover sex-reassignment surgery, according to a report from The New York Times.
The board said a coverage exclusion policy in effect since 1981 was "no longer reasonable" given that the surgery is safe, effective and cannot be considered experimental at this point, according to the report.
A growing number of university health insurance policies and Fortune 500 companies have begun offering coverage form gender transition procedures, according to the report. Still, most health plans don't cover care services for gender dysphoria. The HHS decision could lead to further changes, as many health plans look to Medicare's coverage determinations for guidance, according to the report.
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