Princeton University's mandatory student health care covers transgender surgeries, related services

Princeton University is offering “trans care” coverage through its student health care plan, Campus Reform reported.

Where is this information located?

A page on the Princeton University Health Services website, called “Trans Care at UHS,” states the university is “committed to continue our efforts to increase inclusive and comprehensive medical services specific to the trans community.”

"We are continuing to work with Aetna on improving the reimbursement process for transgender covered benefits."

Students enrolled in the program can receive “consultations and prescriptions for 'masculinizing' and feminizing hormones.” That includes “primary care service” and care considered “medical necessity for many trans individuals.”

The site also explains that it can link students with information and referrals for “surgical transition-related care” and other “comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care services.”

“Medically necessary surgery, mental health, prescription drugs and other related services” are covered at 80 percent of the negotiated charge, the report states.

Through the UHS record-keeping system, students can change their identity and “specify your pronouns.”

Must students participate in the health care plan?

All students are required to enroll in Princeton’s health care plan (which costs $1,800 per year), unless they can verify they have coverage under another comparable plan, according to reports. Financial aid for the program is available for eligible students.

The uiversity categorizes its transgender care services as a diversity issue.

UHS is “committed to advancing the health and well-being of the diverse Princeton University community,” Princeton spokesman Michael Hotchkiss told Campus Reform.

“One way UHS does this is by providing inclusive, comprehensive health services for all students,” he said.

Princeton’s UHS “has made great strides over the last few years to increase services specific to the trans student population,” Hotchkiss continued. “For example, in August 2016, UHS began providing masculinizing and feminizing hormone therapy — a primary care service and a medical necessity for many trans individuals.”

What else?

Aetna and Princeton declined to comment on how much it costs to cover transgender care.

“We are continuing to work with Aetna on improving the reimbursement process for transgender covered benefits,” the website states.

Princeton has covered “gender affirmation surgery” since September 2014, and coverage caps were removed one year later, according to the report.

Staffers at UHS are required to participate in professional and developmental training on issues affecting transgender and “gender non-conforming students” and their dependents, according to the report.