How will we cover a transgender person or their spouse with insurance?
Insurance coverage of transgender health benefits are an important new issue. Companies that are diversity leaders have negotiated with their health benefit providers to ensure coverage of hormone and surgical treatments for transgender employees. Studies show that the cost of providing these benefits is low, despite perceptions to the contrary. Regarding coverage of spouses, I note that companies are permitted by law to extend health benefits to domestic partners without benefit of marriage or other registration with the state, although such benefits are taxable to the employee.
