Judge: Private Insurance Firm In W.Va. Must Cover Transgender Health Care

Charleston Gazette-Mail: Federal Judge Rules Private Insurance Company Is Subject To Anti-Discrimination Provision Of Affordable Care ActA federal judge last week ruled that The Health Plan of West Virginia is subject to compliance to a specific provision under the Affordable Care Act that prohibits sex discrimination, including against transgender Americans. The Health Plan of West Virginia is a private company that provides health insurance services for the state. U.S. District Judge Robert Chambers on June 28 denied a motion from The Health Plan to dismiss a lawsuit from two transgender men who say their state-funded health insurance won’t cover hormone replacement therapy solely because they are transgender. Health Plan of West Virginia Health Plan of West Virginia Christopher Fain and Zachary Martell  filed a lawsuit challenging blanket exclusions of coverage for gender-confirming health care in West Virginia’s health plans, the state’s Medicaid program and the Public Employees Insurance Agency, or PEIA, in November 2020. (Pierson, 7/5)