Every plan sold in the Marketplace must provide a link to its directory of health providers. If you already have an LGBTQ-friendly provider that you know and trust, you can use this directory to find out if your provider is included before you sign up for coverage.
We recognize that it is often difficult to find a culturally and clinically competent provider but the GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBT Equality (GLMA) has a list of providers who identify as LGBTQ-friendly. A search for “Community Partners” on the GLMA list will also identify many LGBTQ community health centers across the country. (GLMA does not screen the providers and therefore cannot make any guarantees about their services, but all providers on the list have affirmed their commitment to LGBT health as a condition of being listed in the directory.) You can also check out RAD Remedy, a directory that helps connect transgender, gender nonconforming, intersex, and queer people to accurate, safe, respectful, and comprehensive care.
Every plan sold in the Marketplace must provide a link to its drug formulary (the list of drugs that are covered). If you need a certain drug, you can use this formulary to find out if your drug is covered before you sign up for coverage. If you have a specific health need, we encourage you to take advantage of free help (either in-person or by phone) from a trained assister to help you consider your options.
If your doctor prescribes a drug for you but your insurer doesn’t cover the drug, you may be able to appeal for an exception to get the drug covered. To do so, contact your insurer. If you want help with your appeal, contact your state’s consumer assistance program or insurance department.
Most plans will cover PrEP (also known as Truvada) but your monthly costs may vary, depending on which plan you choose. Before you enroll, make sure to check your plan’s prescription drug list (or “formulary”) to see where PrEP is listed and how much you might have to pay each month. You can also visit prepcost.org to help you choose the best marketplace health plan for you. If you need help, make a free appointment with an assister who has been trained to answer questions about what services are covered for LGBT people. And check out this easy tool to find a doctor or other provider in your area who prescribes PrEP.
If you don’t have health insurance but still want to take PrEP, or if it is too expensive for you even with health insurance, you may qualify for financial assistance directly from Gilead, the company that makes Truvada. Learn more here or contact your local HIV/AIDS service organization or Ryan White center.
