CMS Initiates Coverage Analysis for Gender Dysphoria Treatments

Gender dysphoria, or gender identity disorder, is characterized by a person’s strong and persistent cross-gender identification, coupled with persistent discomfort with his or her gender. This is not a new disorder, by any means, but gender reassignment treatments are advancing and becoming more sought out as society comes to accept the concept.

Treatments are expensive, however, and controversial. As such, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) does not have a national coverage determination (NCD) for gender dysphoria or gender reassignment surgery. Not yet, anyway.

CMS received a request to review the available evidence and conduct a national coverage analysis (NCA) to determine whether health outcomes are improved from treatment for gender dysphoria and gender reassignment surgery. CMS released an NCA tracking sheet December 3 and is soliciting relevant, scientific public comment on the matter until January 2, 2016.

Although Medicare doesn’t cover gender dysphoria, diagnosis codes exist for reporting purposes. ICD-10-CM diagnosis category F64- describes gender identity disorder. Specific ICD-10-CM codes are:

• F64.1 Gender identity disorder in adolescence and adulthood
• F64.2 Gender identity disorder of childhood
• F64.8 Other gender identity disorders
• F64.9 Gender identity disorder, unspecified

Therapeutic options for gender dysphoria include behavioral and psychotherapies, hormonal treatments, and a number of surgeries used for gender reassignment.

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Renee Dustman

Executive Editor at AAPC

Renee Dustman, BS, AAPC MACRA Proficient, is an executive editor at AAPC. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Media Communications - Journalism. Renee has more than 20 years experience in print production and content management. Follow her on Twitter @dustman_aapc.

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