Gender health program 

We have licensed clinical social workers who help our transgender and gender non-conforming members by providing clinical guidance and support as they access the care and services they are seeking.

Many of our health plans include benefits for gender-affirming services. Members who are interested in our program, regardless of their coverage, can enroll in the Gender Health Case Management Program without a referral.

Members who have a covered benefit for gender-affirming surgical procedures and who have decided to pursue surgery will be enrolled in the Gender Health Case Management Program to navigate their benefits and coordinate their care, at no cost to them.

To enroll, or for questions about the process or coverage, call 1-888-245-9004.

Call the Kaiser Permanente Washington Gender Health appointing line at 1-206-630-1929 to schedule an appointment with a primary care provider with training in gender-related health care.

We have primary care providers in all Kaiser Permanente medical offices who have training and experience in providing medical services to transgender and gender non-conforming patients including gender-affirming hormone therapy and preventative care.

Our surgeons include gynecologists and urologists who perform some gender-affirming surgeries. We also partner with plastic and reconstructive surgeons who contract with Kaiser Permanente Washington to perform gender-affirming surgeries.

For information about surgical benefits, call 1-888-245-9004.

For pediatric and adolescent patients, we include the whole family in our model of care.

The Adolescent Center offers evaluation, counseling, puberty blockers, gender-affirming hormones, and referrals to surgery. Our collaborative team partners with patients to provide care focused on the best interest of the child or adolescent and respect for the family.

We have therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists with experience and training in providing mental health services to transgender and gender non-conforming patients including:

• Individual therapy for children, teens, and adults.
• Individual and family therapy to assist parents in their journey of understanding and supporting their child who is gender non-conforming.
• Evaluations that follow the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) guidelines to determine readiness for puberty blockers for children and teens, hormonal therapy, and gender-affirming surgeries.

We have speech-language pathologists who work with our transgender and gender non-conforming patients (feminine, masculine, and non-binary) for vocal training, including pitch, resonance, and breathing.

Our speech-language pathologists also work with patients around social communication skills, including gender-specific language use, non-verbal mannerisms, laughing, throat clearing, and gender presentation (such as attire and make up).

Trans Lifeline **IF YOU ARE IN CRISIS**
US: 1-877-565-8860
Canada: 1-877-330-6366
For people struggling with their gender identity and are not sure they are transgender.
translifeline.org

National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center
Provides programs, resources, and consultation to health care organizations with the goal of optimizing quality, cost-effective health care for LGBTQIA+ people.
lgbtqiahealtheducation.org

Transgender Law Center (TLC)
The largest national trans-led organization advocating self-determination for all people.
transgenderlawcenter.org

UCSF Center of Excellence for Transgender Health
A resource for patients and providers with evidence based tools to help with transition protocols and preventative care.
transhealth.ucsf.edu

WPATH
The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), is a non-profit, educational organization devoted to transgender health.
wpath.org

Community resources

gaycity.org

transfamilies.org

genderodyssey.org

ingersollcenter.org

lamberthouse.org

rainbowcntr.org

odysseyyouth.org

"My work with the transgender and gender non-conforming patients in Eastern Washington is by far the most satisfying work I do. I am honored each day to share in their journeys and do what I can to help facilitate the manifestations of their true, genuine selves. I am grateful to Kaiser Permanente for providing such great coverage and giving me this opportunity."

—Deb Gore, MD, Spokane Riverfront Family Medicine

"Since the care management program started, I have been able to witness some of the most incredible, brave, and authentic patients and families I could imagine. Being able to provide any amount of support to them along the way is truly an honor!"

—Raelean Hendrickson, LICSW, Case Management Program

"Our interdisciplinary team actively collaborates with children and adolescents and their families to help young people achieve their gender health goals."

—Gina Sucato, MD, MPH, Medical Director of Adolescent Center