Denial of coverage for transgender care was discriminatory: Judge

A federal judge in Washington state ruled Dec. 19 that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois discriminated against transgender individuals by denying coverage for medically necessary gender-affirming care, reports Becker’s Payer Issues. In November, the court had earlier granted a class action against BCBS that accused the payer of denying gender-affirming care coverage under a self-funded health plan, thereby violating the anti-discrimination provision of the Affordable Care Act.