Gender affirming care at Yale Health consists of a multidisciplinary team approach made up of primary clinicians, nurses, care managers, mental health clinicians, obstetric/gynecologists and endocrinologists. Our mission is to increase access to comprehensive, effective, and affirming health care services for trans persons.

We promise to respect your privacy and treat you with consideration and dignity. You will receive care that is responsive to your health care concerns and that is sensitive to your needs. You play a critical role in partnering with Yale Health clinicians in your care.

We hope you find the care resources below helpful. (Printable resource sheet)

Preferred Name

We are committed to creating a welcoming environment for everyone. We recognize that many of our members use a preferred or chosen first name rather than their legal name.

How to Share Your Preferred or Chosen First Name with Us (Note that MyChart uses the term “preferred” name.)

• During e-check under “Details about me” or at the kiosk.
• When you check in at the front desk or schedule an appointment with the Call Center.

What Else You Can Expect

• We will make every effort to use your preferred or chosen first name during your visit with us. (A legal name is sometimes required for things like medical claims and lab work.)
• Your legal name may appear on communications with your preferred or chosen first name in “quotes.”  

As we continue to work hard to create systems to collect and use your preferred or chosen first name, we apologize if there are times when we don’t get it right. Please let us know if this happens so we can partner with you to fix it.  

Pronouns

You can request that your pronoun designation be added to your medical record when you meet with your provider.

Benefits and Coverage

Yale Health gender affirming care services are available only to members covered under Yale Health insurance. Consult your coverage documents for information on Yale Health’s coverage of treatments related to gender dysphoria and gender affirmation.

Additionally, you can contact Member Services.

Claims

You can contact the Claims Department to check your claims staus or denials.

Fertility Preservation

Consult with your primary care provider (PCP) in Internal Medicine, Student Health, or Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Gender Affirming Surgery

For top surgery, one letter of support is required. For bottom surgery, one letter of support is required, as well as a letter from Endocrinology, if applicable. See the Member Coverage Booklet for details. Additionally, you can contact Specialty Services.

Gender Affirming Care Coordination

Yale Health gender affirming care services are available to Yale Health members covered under Yale Health insurance. Yale Health members should call 203-436-5791 regarding any questions. 

Hormone Therapy

Your primary care provider will refer you to an endocrinologist in Specialty Services. Yale Health utilizes an informed consent model to initiate hormone treatment.  During the visit, the provider will review with the patient the physical and psychological benefits, risks, and limitations of hormone therapy. 

Mental/Behavioral Health

You might seek the assistance of a mental health professional for a number of reasons. Your mental health provider will evaluate readiness for next steps in your treatment and make recommendations.

Magellan Health, 800-327-9240, provides these services for Yale Health members. If you need assistance navigating the Magellan network you can contact Cheryl Doebrick, 203-436-5706.

Mental Health & Counseling provides these services for students, 203-432-0290.

Referrals

You can contact the Referrals Department to check your referral status or denials.

Prescription Medications

You can consult the Yale Health Pharmacy with questions about your prescriptions, refills, etc.

Note: All single occupancy bathrooms at Yale Health are designated as All Gender. These bathrooms are available in all clinical departments.

Your Child’s Care

For question and concerns realted to your child’s gender care, contact your pediatrician, 203-432-0206.