Surgical Standards of Care and Insurance Authorization of Gender-Affirming Facial Surgery

Abstract

Transgender and gender-diverse patients face complex, multifactorial barriers to medically necessary gender-affirming care. Insurance coverage for facial feminizing and masculinizing surgeries is one such obstacle. Providers and affiliated team members must have a comprehensive understanding of clinical standards of care, medical documentation, insurance policy and terminology, and related legislation to successfully navigate this administrative quagmire and ensure patient access to care..

Keywords: Facial feminization; Facial masculinization; Gender affirming surgery; Insurance authorization.