Umm... This is kind of a big deal.

If this ruling stands, it'd mean that basically every health insurance plans in America (because of the health insurance marketplace) would be required to cover everything WPATH SoC8 deems medically necessary.

Which is... *everything*.

Holy crap.

https://www.lambdalegal.org/news/cp_wa_20221219_court-rules-that-bcbs-cannot-administer-health-plans-with-gender-affirming-exclusions

VICTORY: Court Rules that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois Cannot Administer Health Plans with Gender-Affirming Care Exclusions

β€œThird-party administrators that accept federal funds cannot discriminate when administering employer-sponsored health plans.”

Lambda Legal

So uhh, let's break this down.

The ruling is based directly on Bostock's sex protections. It means that even plans which are fully paid by the employer would be bound by this, as long as whichever company runs the processing takes even one red cent of federal money.

The ruling will definitely be appealed to the SC. But unless Roberts and Gorsuch reverse their positions in Bostock, I think this one stands.

Overwhelmingly, fully funded insurance plans are administered by big corps, like BCBS or Aetna. All of those companies take federal $.

All of them. Because of the Health Insurance Marketplace.

And once the standard is on medical necessity, the definitive worldwide standards is WPATH SoC8. Which, if you want to check coverage, I did a write up a few months ago (https://stainedglasswoman.substack.com/p/what-do-wpath-standards-of-care-8).

Or you can check this list. **Everything's** on it.

What do WPATH Standards of Care 8 actually say?

From The Blue Bird App

Stained Glass Woman
@Impossible_PhD Oh heck it covers laser and electrolysis. I wonder if I can file a claim for the laser I started months ago. I don't think Milan has any insurance handling arm though.
@EmilyGB20 Most companies let you submit any bill within the last two years.
@Impossible_PhD I mean I can try, I guess. Hmm. I'll need my therapist or someone to help with that because I don't think they'll take my word on it!
How To Force Your Insurer To Cover Your Transition

A tutorial, partially from the Blue Bird Website

Stained Glass Woman

@Impossible_PhD Seriously, THANK YOU for all the work you put into this stuff and DOCUMENTING IT.

It's amazing and frankly I'm considering building a small altar. Nothing creepy, just like you know "Give thanks unto the Doc of Good Trans Advice" weekly, with some incense.

@EmilyGB20 @Impossible_PhD For real. This is incredible. Thank you so much!!

@terrafiedkestrel @EmilyGB20 I have a PhD in technical writing and a focus in medical communication.

This is *literally* what I do for a living.

@Impossible_PhD @terrafiedkestrel Yes but you're doing it for us, for free. Thank you. :)

Maybe a small photo of you with that pink hair to go with the incense stick and a stack of grudging insurance approvals....

Seriously, it's appreciated. I want to make sure I said it -- because I really mean it. You're a treasure for trans people trying to navigate this stuff.

@EmilyGB20 @terrafiedkestrel no need for a shrine. Pass it on to other people in need, and let me know what does and doesn't work so I can keep it updated. That's plenty thanks enough.

@Impossible_PhD @terrafiedkestrel Absolutely! :)

I've mentioned you to a couple of other trans people just in the last few months.

@EmilyGB20 @terrafiedkestrel Not me, the help guide, ya dingus! πŸ˜‰
@EmilyGB20 @Impossible_PhD I still remember the initial thread on Twitter where you broke down WPATH Soc8 when it was published. Showed my doctor that!
@terrafiedkestrel @EmilyGB20 That's up on my Substack now too!

@Impossible_PhD @terrafiedkestrel Which, btw, is literally the only reason I have a substack account.

Your piece on stained glass made me sob. It was so beautiful.

@EmilyGB20 @terrafiedkestrel πŸ’œπŸ’œπŸ’œπŸ’œπŸ’œ

I've been thinking a *lot* about that for a *long* time. Like, how can you reconcile being horrendously broken and still having a life worth living. And not just worth living--worth *loving*.

That's my answer.

@Impossible_PhD @terrafiedkestrel YES!

And god, it was heart wrenching and glorious and beautiful and amazing. You put your soul up there and it was just gorgeous.

@EmilyGB20 @Impossible_PhD @terrafiedkestrel As long as you have substack, might I recommend https://erininthemorn.substack.com/ (@ErinInTheMorn) as well?
Erin In The Morning | Erin Reed | Substack

News and discussion on trans legislation and life. Click to read Erin In The Morning, by Erin Reed, a Substack publication with tens of thousands of readers.

@TonyaMarie @Impossible_PhD @terrafiedkestrel @ErinInTheMorn

Already subbed! She's great, especially as I live in Texas. (Come on Boston, offer me a job...)

@TonyaMarie @EmilyGB20 @terrafiedkestrel @ErinInTheMorn I love what Erin is doing and I admire her so much but... I found a while ago that I had to cut the legislative alarms out of my life, just for my mental health. It's essential work, and I'm glad she's doing it, but the avalanche these days is... Whoof.
@Impossible_PhD that's where I was. Totally appreciated it, but couldn't handle it. It was too much.