Student Health Services (SHS) is committed to providing high-quality, accessible healthcare to transgender, intersex, and non-binary students. Our providers and staff are dedicated to affirming healthcare practices that create an inclusive and supportive environment. We utilize the Informed Consent Model of Care in an effort to reduce the barriers to medical transition.
You are eligible for gender affirming healthcare services at SHS if you’re 1) a full-time student with any insurance plan or 2) a part-time student with the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). Part-time students without SHIP can still attend mental health support groups and get help in an emergency. We can also refer you to community providers for more services.
Most gender affirming healthcare (GAH) medical treatments are covered by the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). Gender-affirming products are not always covered by health insurance. For students unable to pay these costs, Student Health Services works with the Dean of Students to subsidize costs for these important products.
- Gender-affirming healthcare at SHS includes:
- Primary and urgent care
- Hormone therapy
- Letters and referrals for gender-affirming surgery
- Mental health services, including short-term counseling and LGBTQ+ group therapy
- Referrals to other gender-affirming healthcare providers in the Boston area
To contact SHS about Gender Affirming Healthcare, or schedule an appointment with a Gender-Affirming Healthcare Team provider for general appointments and gender-related healthcare needs, log on to patientconnect.bu.edu and choose ‘Messages,’ ‘New Message,’ and then ‘Gender Affirming Healthcare.” You can also call SHS at (617) 353-3575.
Frequently Asked Questions
What services are offered?
All SHS departments strive to affirm your gender identity. We provide urgent and routine services, as well as specialized care including hormone therapy, referrals/letters for gender-affirming surgery, and ongoing consultation for medical transition. We can also connect you with community healthcare providers and specialists outside of BU.
What is covered by BU Aetna Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)?
The BU Aetna SHIP covers many gender-affirming healthcare-related needs including:
- Medically necessary gender-affirming surgery such as breast removal or augmentation, gonadectomy, and genital reconstructive surgery.
- Hormone therapy
- Reduction thyroid chondroplasty (tracheal shave)
- Electrolysis, laser hair removal
- Nipple reconstruction
- Voice and communication therapy, voice lessons
- Chest binders
- Counseling
Your out-of-pocket costs will vary based on whether you have the Basic or Plus Plan, and whether a surgery requires a hospital stay or is an out-patient procedure (meaning you can go home after the procedure). Gender-affirming medication and counseling will be covered at the same rate as any other type of medication or counseling service. View the details for your plan.
Have questions?
SHS has a team of insurance experts to help navigate your questions and concerns. Simply log in to the Patient Connect portal, select “Messages”, select a “New Message”, and select the “Insurance and Billing” option to connect to an insurance expert.
What can I expect?
We are dedicated to inclusive and accessible services for transgender and non-binary students. You have the right to obtain accurate information about your healthcare, to ask questions, and to advocate for yourself.
We encourage you to be open and honest with your healthcare provider so they can best support your wellbeing. SHS providers use medical language to refer to patients’ anatomy. Providers do this to be as clear as possible and to avoid gendering body parts and bodily functions. We recognize that you may not use the same terms to refer to your body and encourage you to share any alternate terms you prefer providers use.
Gender Affirmation Pre-Surgery Checklist:
A preparation guide outlining the actions you need to take and the documentation you need to have before gender affirming surgery. This guide is applicable for students with a BU Aetna Student Health Insurance Plan and other health insurance plans.
Gender Affirmation Pre-Surgery Checklist
Is my care confidential?
Your appointments and communication with SHS are private and confidential. We are committed to protecting your healthcare information and privacy. SHS does not bill your insurance for visits with our providers. However, there are rare instances where some services (i.e., blood draws) are billed and may appear on your insurance documents. We encourage you to talk with your provider about any privacy concerns you may have.
What is the Gender-Affirming Healthcare Team?
The Gender-Affirming Healthcare Team is an interdisciplinary group of providers specifically trained in affirming care for transgender and non-binary students. The team consists of doctors, nurses, and counselors across multiple SHS departments.
To contact SHS about Gender Affirming Healthcare, or schedule an appointment with a Gender-Affirming Healthcare Team provider for general appointments and gender-related healthcare needs, log on to patientconnect.bu.edu and choose ‘Messages,’ ‘New Message,’ and then ‘Gender Affirming Healthcare.” You can also call SHS at (617) 353-3575.
Gender-Affirming Healthcare Team providers are identified on the staff directory by a rainbow icon in their individual profiles.
Can I change my name in the BU system?
You can update your name in different BU systems. Below is a list of different systems and links to instructions for these changes:
SHS Medical Record: Update your name, pronouns, and/or gender identity, by logging into Patient Connect and clicking on the “Profile” tab.
*Note: Our system allows you to designate a ‘preferred name’, however, your legal name will continue to be included.
BU Directory: Learn more about updating the directory under the “Update Your Personal Preferences” section.
*Note: Enter your chosen name in the ‘nickname’ box and change the display settings to update your displayed information in the Directory.
Blackboard: Learn more about changing your name in Blackboard
*Note: We recommend that you notify your professors of the Blackboard updates. The Office of the University Registrar can also notify faculty of this change on behalf of students by request.
Terrier Card/BU Identification Card: Learn more about updating your Terrier Card
*Note: Although BU is unable to permanently update your records without a legal name change, you can get a new Terrier Card with your chosen name.
Kerberos Login Name and BU Email: Learn more about changing your Kerberos login name and BU email
Zoom: Update your name and display settings in the Zoom web portal under the “Profile” tab.
Learn more about updating your Zoom profile settings.
*Note: Your pronouns can be displayed in your profile by adding your pronouns directly following your last name.
What other gender-affirming resources can I access?
Where are the gender-neutral bathrooms at BU?
Gender-neutral bathrooms are available at SHS (881 Commonwealth Ave.).
Learn more about the locations of gender-neutral bathrooms at BU: