Health Care and Insurance
Health Care Providers at Ohio State
Student Health Services
The Wilce Student Health Center at The Ohio State University is a Joint Commission accredited outpatient facility providing a variety of health care services to the student population. All students enrolled at Ohio state are eligible to use the health service, regardless of health insurance coverage.
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Call 614-292-4321
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Visit shs.osu.edu
Gender-Affirming Care at Wexner Medical Center
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Wexner Medical Center operates a Transgender Primary Care Clinic at two locations.
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Learn more about gender-affirming care options at Wexner Medical Center.
Health Insurance Coverage
Student Health Insurance
The Student Life Student Health Insurance (SHI) Benefit Plan covers many services for transition-related care, including counseling, hormone therapy, and certain surgical procedures. Open the document “Trans Health Care Services with Student Health Insurance” on this page to learn more.
If you would like to speak to a SHI staff member who specializes in information to support students seeking transgender services, please contact SHI at 614-688-7979 or shi_info@osu.edu and specify your needs – your inquiry will be directed to the appropriate staff member.
Staff and Faculty Health Insurance
University-sponsored medical plans provide comprehensive coverage and wellness benefits, including many services for transition-related care. The following health plan benefits are available to enrolled faculty and staff experiencing the distress and impairment of Gender Dysphoria:
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Mental health coverage
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Pharmaceutical coverage (e.g., for hormone replacement therapy)
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Coverage for medical visits or laboratory services
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Coverage for certain reconstructive surgical procedures related to gender reassignment
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Coverage of routine, chronic, or urgent non-transition services (e.g., for a transgender individual based on anatomy. For example, gynecological exams for trans men).
Open the document “Trans Health Care Coverage - Faculty and Staff” on this page to learn more.
Understanding Health Insurance
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Health Insurance Literacy guidance from SHI.
- Health Insurance 101: A Primer on Navigating Your Healthcare.
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Getting Your Health Care Covered: A Guide for Transgender People from the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE).
- The Trans Health Project aims to ensure that all transgender and non-binary people can access the trans-related health care that they need.
- Out2Enroll: a national initiative to connect those in the LGBTQ community and their families with the new health insurance coverage options available under the Affordable Care Act.
Finding Affirming Care
- The Rainbow Clinic is a student-run specialty clinic through the Columbus Free Clinic that occurs every two months! Services include gynecology, urology, STI and HIV testing, and primary care, all free of charge with no insurance required. We also have a free in-house pharmacy and lab.
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Wexner Medical Center operates a Transgender Primary Care Clinic at two locations.
- TransOhio has a list of Ohio Trans Inclusive Providers as a tool to search for trans-affirming doctors, therapists, and pharmacies.
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Find LGBTQ+ affirming medical professionals in Central Ohio using the Lavender Listings.
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Find LGBTQ+ friendly healthcare near you with the LGBTQ+ Healthcare Directory, a free, searchable database of all kinds of doctors, medical professionals and healthcare providers who are knowledgeable and sensitive to the unique health needs of LGBTQ+ people in the USA and Canada.
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Find an LGBTQ+ Competent Healthcare Provider in the US and access additional resources with Outcare.
- The World Professional Association for Transgender Health offers a Provider Directory Search for competent healthcare providers across a variety of specialities.
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Find Trans-Friendly Health Care Providers in the US with the Trans Health Project.
- MyTransHealth is a free online directory that connects trans and gender non-conforming people with qualified, culturally competent healthcare providers.
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Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ Equality offers resources such as a provider directory, a list of Issues to Discuss with Your Healthcare Provider as an LGBTQ person, and Transgender Health Resources.
- Healthcare Equality Index: the national LGBTQ+ benchmarking tool that evaluates healthcare facilities' policies and practices related to the equity and inclusion of their LGBTQ+ patients, visitors and employees.
Cancer Screening and Care
The National LGBT Cancer Network identifies providers with a commitment to offering safe, affordable, welcoming care to all LGBT people.
Additional Resources
Coming Out to Medical Professionals
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Do Ask, Do Tell: Talking to your provider about being LGBTQ from the National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center.
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Coming Out as Bisexual to Your Doctor from HRC.
Know your Patient Rights
Resources for LGBTQ+ Patients from the Human Rights Campaign, including:
- Know Your Healthcare Rights - a guide for LGBTQ folks.
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What To Do If You Experience Discrimination in a healthcare setting
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Know Your Rights in Health Care - a guide for trans folks specifically.
Identity-Specific Resources
- Gay and Bisexual Men's Health guide from the CDC.
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Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Women's Health guide from the CDC.
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Transgender Health guide from the CDC.
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Top Ten Issues to Discuss with Your Healthcare Provider from Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ Equality: