Policy: Treatment of Gender Dysphoria (Medicare Advantage)
Policy Number: MA11.106f
Last Update: 2021-01-04
Issued in: Pennsylvania

This policy applies to Medicare

Breast Reconstruction:

BILATERAL MASTECTOMY
Bilateral mastectomy is considered medically necessary and, therefore, covered, when all of the following criteria are met:

• The individual has persistent, well-documented gender dysphoria in accordance with the criteria established in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, [DSM-5] .
• Bilateral mastectomy is recommended by a qualified professional provider who has consistently monitored the individual up to the time of surgery.
  • One referral letter and/or chart documentation must be written from the mental health professional provider who consistently monitored the individual throughout their psychotherapy or any other evaluation to the professional provider who will be responsible for the individual's treatment.
• The individual is at least 18 years of age.
• The individual, if required by the mental health professional provider, has regularly participated in psychotherapy throughout a real-life experience (living in a gender role that is congruent with an individual's gender identity​) at a frequency determined jointly by the individual and the mental health professional provider.
• If the individual has significant medical or mental health concerns, they are reasonably well controlled.

BREAST AUGMENTATION
Breast augmentation is considered medically necessary and, therefore, covered, when all of the following criteria are met:

• The individual has persistent, well-documented gender dysphoria in accordance with the criteria established in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, [DSM-5].
• Breast augmentation is recommended by a qualified professional provider who has consistently monitored the individual up to the time of surgery.
  • One referral letter and/or chart documentation must be written from the mental health professional provider who consistently monitored the individual throughout their psychotherapy or any other evaluation to the professional provider who will be responsible for the individual's treatment.
• The individual is at least 18 years of age.
• The individual, unless medically contraindicated, has used feminizing hormones continuously and responsibly (which may include screenings and follow-ups with the professional provider) for a 12-month period.
• The individual, if required by a mental health professional provider, has regularly participated in psychotherapy throughout a real-life experience (living in a gender role that is congruent with an individual's gender identity​) at a frequency determined jointly by the individual and the mental health professional provider.
• If the individual has significant medical or mental health concerns, they are reasonably well controlled.

Notes:

NOT MEDICALLY NECESSARY

PUBERTY-SUPPRESSING HORMONES
Puberty suppressing hormones (e.g., Supprelin LA® [histrelin acetate], Vantas® [histerlin acetate], Lupron Depot® [leuprolide acetate for depot suspension], Viadur® [leuprolide acetate implant], Eligard® [leuprolide acetate for injectable suspension], Zoladex® [goserelin acetate implant], Trelstar® [triptorelin pamoate for injectable suspension]) are considered not medically necessary, and therefore not covered because Medicare does not cover puberty suppression in transgender children/adolescents.

GENDER REVERSAL SURGERY
Gender reversal surgery post-operatively is considered not medically necessary and, therefore, not covered.