LGBT+ HEALTHCARE OPTIONS FOR VETERANS
Introduction
Are you one of the many LGBT+ Servicemembers? Are you an LGBT+ Veteran? If so, you know that your healthcare needs can be different from other Military Members. No matter who you are, it can sometimes be difficult for Veterans to find proper care. Maybe you’ve been struggling to find the best care for yourself. Maybe you’ve just left the military and don’t know where to start looking for healthcare. Maybe you’re even looking for information to advocate for the LGBT+ Servicemember in your life. No matter why you’re here, we can help you find the right options for LGBT+ healthcare. If you know what type of healthcare information you are looking for, click the link to take you straight there.
- VA Healthcare for Transgender Men
- VA Healthcare for Transgender Women
- VA Healthcare for Gay and Bisexual Men
- VA Healthcare for Lesbian and Bisexual Women
- VA Healthcare for Nonbinary Veterans
- PrEP Treatment
- Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy
- Mental Healthcare
- Suicide Prevention
- Military Sexual Trauma
Looking for support for your entire family? Head over to our trending blog Where to Find Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF).
LGBT+ Healthcare Support Services for Veterans
The VA is the foremost source for Veterans’ healthcare. For those in the LGBT+ community, they are dedicated to protecting your privacy and support. They will help you to find providers who are comfortable with your sexuality or gender identity and who will be able to give you the best care possible. If you’re looking for VA support services in your area, you can call or visit the directory online. Phone: 1 (877) 222-8387 Website: http://www.va.gov/directory The VA updated language and policies for their VHA Directive in 2018 for “the respectful delivery of health care to transgender and intersex Veterans who are enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system or are otherwise eligible for VA care.” This updated policy should make it easier for the aforementioned Veterans to receive care related to their gender and sex. There are also a ton of support services geared towards all members of the Veteran LGBT+ community offered by the VA.
VA Healthcare for Transgender Men
VA Healthcare for transgender men tackles over a dozen different policies unique to transgender Veterans. Some of them are:
- Coming Out to Your Primary Physician
- Hormone Treatment
- Mental Health
- Alcohol/Substance Use
- Tobacco Use
- STIs (including HIV/aids, hepatitis, and HPV)
- Cancer
- Fitness & Nutrition
- Cardiovascular Health
- Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)
- Older Trans Men Veterans
- Kidney Disease
VA Healthcare for Transgender Women
The VA offers the same services for transgender women as they do for transgender men. Here is a link that will take your right to the services.
VA Healthcare for Gay and Bisexual Men
The VA’s support services for gay and bisexual men are very similar to the offerings listed above, with a couple of minor changes. Here is a list of some of their healthcare services for gay and bisexual men.
- Coming Out to Your Primary Physician
- Mental Health
- Alcohol/Substance Use
- Tobacco Use
- STIs (including HIV/aids, hepatitis, and HPV)
- Prostate, Testicular, & Anal Cancer
- Fitness & Nutrition
- Cardiovascular Health
- Erectile Dysfunction
- Older Gay and Bisexual Veterans
- Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)
VA Healthcare for Lesbian and Bisexual Women
Lesbian and bisexual women are covered by the VA with many of the same services as gay and bisexual men. They receive care under many different support sections, including but not limited to the following.
- Coming Out to Your Primary Physician
- Mental Health
- Alcohol/Substance Use
- Tobacco Use
- STIs (including HIV/aids, hepatitis, and HPV)
- Breast, Ovarian, Cervical, & Uterine Cancer
- Fitness & Nutrition
- Cardiovascular Health
- Older Lesbian and Bisexual Veterans
- Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)
VA Healthcare for Nonbinary Veterans
The VA recognizes the identity of nonbinary Veterans and offers care services in the following areas.
- Gender Identity, Gender Expression, Pronouns, & Sexual Orientation
- Gender-Affirming Treatments
- Hormone Therapy
- Overcoming Health Disparities
- Personal Growth & Strength
PrEP Treatment
PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, is important for LGBT+ members. PrEP can help Veterans who are most at risk for HIV greatly decrease their chances of contracting the STI. The VHA also covers post-treatment (PEP) in case you have been exposed. There are many types of PrEP medications, and VHA’s LGBT+ Veteran Care Coordinator can help you get set up with a trustworthy physician who can walk you through your options.
Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy
If you are a transgender or nonbinary Veteran who has not previously been able to get access to hormone therapy to affirm your gender identity, the VHA can help with that. Reach out to your local LGBT+ VCC to learn more.
Mental Healthcare
Mental healthcare is a vital part of LGBT+ healthcare. The VHA can help you with both in-person and virtual mental healthcare services. Many LGBT+ Veterans may be uncomfortable or feel unsafe trying to access mental healthcare in person. If you are one of them, the VHA makes high-quality telehealth services easier to obtain than ever. More on mental health:Signs of PTSD: A Special Ops Veteran’s Awakening (Personal Story)
Suicide Prevention
Suicide prevention goes hand-in-hand with mental healthcare. Civilians may not ever fully understand the trauma that comes along with years of military service. If you’re struggling with thoughts of suicide or know someone who is, the VHA provides a 24/7 Crisis Hotline to help them navigate through the toughest circumstances. Phone: 1 (800) 273-8255 (option 1) Alongside this hotline, the VHA works hard in educating the public about Veteran suicide and helping to improve all Servicemembers’ transitions from military life to civilian life.
Military Sexual Trauma
LGBT+ military members are at increased risk for MST, or military sexual trauma (especially female-identifying or transgender members). MST can cause trauma that lasts long after one’s time in the military is over. MST has its own coordinator at most VA medical centers.
Exclusions
While the VA provides the entirety of medically necessary care for transitioning Military Members and Veterans, there is one exclusion. They do not currently provide gender-affirming surgical intervention. However, they will cover corrective procedures post-gender-affirmation surgery. According to the VA, this is because of an existing exclusion in the VA medical benefits package. However, the code is often modified and updated to reflect the needs of the Servicemembers they serve. This means that we could possibly see an inclusion of gender-affirming surgery in the VA’s future.
Conclusion
The VA does not leave LGBT+ members high and dry when it comes to healthcare options. In fact, all VA facilities have an LGBT+ Veteran Care Coordinator to help you navigate your benefits and entitlements. They’re well-equipped to handle any and all questions you may have and to approach your healthcare with kindness and understanding. If you’re looking for LGBT+ healthcare as a Veteran, the VA can help. Find your VA Health Center by following this link.