Premera Blue Cross Faces Class Action Lawsuit over Denied Transgender CarePremera Blue Cross Faces Class Action Lawsuit over Denied Transgender Care Overview: A group of parents representing their transgender minor children have filed a class action lawsuit against health insurer Premera Blue Cross, alleging discrimination and denial of coverage for gender-affirming breast surgeries for minors. Claims: * Discrimination: Premera allegedly discriminates based on gender and age by excluding transgender minors from coverage under its Gender Transition/Affirmation Surgery and Related Services (GTAS) policy. * Violation of GTAS Policy: The parents claim Premera is violating its own GTAS policy by denying coverage to transgender minors for gender confirmation breast surgery. * Age and Gender Bias: According to the parents, Premera is treating transgender minors differently than minors diagnosed with other health conditions that warrant similar surgery. Motion for Class Certification: The parents seek collective certification for their claims, representing a class of individuals who were denied coverage for gender-affirming breast surgery because they were under the age of 18. Significance: The lawsuit raises important questions about access to healthcare for transgender minors and challenges the practice of denying essential medical care based on age or gender. Background: * Earlier this year, a Florida judge denied a request to uphold a rule blocking a Florida law that bans Medicaid payments for puberty blockers and gender-affirming hormones. * The Premera lawsuit is one of several recent legal challenges to insurance policies that discriminate against transgender individuals. Case Details: * Case Name: LB, et al. v. Premera Blue Cross * Case Number: 2:23-cv-00953 * Court: United States District Court for the Western District of Washington Questions: The lawsuit highlights the ongoing debate about transgender healthcare coverage. * How should insurance companies handle gender-affirming surgeries for minors? * Should age be a factor in determining access to essential healthcare? * How can we ensure equitable and comprehensive healthcare for all individuals, regardless of their gender identity?
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Overview of Premera Transgender Care Class Action Lawsuit:
- WHO: A group of parents representing their minor children are seeking collective certification for their claims against Premera Blue Cross.
- Why: The parents allege that Premera discriminates against transgender minors by not providing them with coverage for gender-affirming breast surgery.
- Where: The class action lawsuit over Premera transgender care was filed in a federal court in Washington.
A new class action lawsuit accuses health insurer Premera Blue Cross of discriminating against transgender minors by denying them coverage for gender-affirming breast surgeries.
A group of parents representing their minor children recently filed a motion to certify a class action lawsuit arguing that Premera is imposing a “categorical exclusion from coverage” for gender-affirming breast surgeries for transgender minors.
The parents allege that Premera is violating its own Gender Transition/Affirmation Surgery and Related Services (GTAS) policy by not providing coverage to transgender minors.
“Premera provides coverage for the same or similar breast surgery for minors diagnosed with other health conditions,” the motion for class certification states.
Premera discriminates based on age, gender, claims class action
The parents claim that their children met all the requirements of Premera’s GTAS policy to receive coverage for gender confirmation breast surgery, except for the fact that they are under 18 years of age.
“Premera, like all members of the proposed class, has been denied coverage based on the simple fact that they are (a) transgender and (b) under the age of 18,” the motion states.
According to the parents, Premera discriminates not only on the basis of gender, but also on the basis of age. This is done by excluding transgenders from the GTAS policy.
The parents wish to represent a group of individuals who are, are or will be participants or beneficiaries of Premera health plans and/or health plans who have needed, need or will need gender affirming breast surgery treatment to treat their diagnosis of gender dysphoria, and who have not received or will not receive prior authorization or coverage because they were or are under the age of 18.
Earlier this year, a Florida judge a request denied to uphold a rule blocking a Florida law that bans Medicaid payments for puberty blockers and gender-affirming hormones.
Have you been discriminated against by Premera? Let us know in the comments.
The Premera Transgender Healthcare Class Action Lawsuit is LB, et al. v. Premera Blue CrossCase number 2:23-cv-00953, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington.
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