S. 1774: Protecting Minors in Federal Health Plans Act

This bill, titled the "Protecting Minors in Federal Health Plans Act," seeks to amend federal law regarding health insurance coverage under the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program. The primary focus is on restricting coverage for certain medical treatments related to gender transition for individuals under the age of 18. Here are the key points of the bill:

Prohibitions on Coverage for Gender-Affirming Care

• The bill defines "gender-affirming care or service" as medical interventions designed to treat gender dysphoria. This includes hormone therapy, puberty blockers, and surgical procedures aimed at gender transition.
• Coverage for gender-affirming care for individuals under 18 is generally prohibited, with a few exceptions outlined in the bill.

Exceptions to the Prohibition

The bill specifies certain circumstances under which coverage for treatments might still be permitted:

• Services provided to individuals with medically verifiable disorders of sexual development.
• Treatments for individuals diagnosed with disorders that have specific genetic or biochemical abnormalities related to sex characteristics.
• Care for infections or conditions exacerbated by previous surgical interventions related to gender transition.
• Procedures for physical disorders or symptoms that pose an imminent risk of death or severe impairment, provided they are not aimed at gender transition.
• Prescription of puberty suppression for minors with precocious puberty.
• Hormone therapy for minors with delayed puberty, but only if consistent with the biological sex of the individual.
• Male circumcision is also exempt from these restrictions.

Continuity of Care for Existing Patients

The bill allows for continuity of hormone therapy for individuals under 18 who are currently receiving such treatment when the bill takes effect. This coverage can continue under specific conditions:

• The therapy must be supervised by a physician.
• The treatment must conclude within one year after the bill's effective date.

Applicability of the Amendment

The amendments made by this bill will apply to any health insurance contracts entered into or renewed after the bill is enacted.

Relevant Companies

None found