Gender-Affirming Healthcare
We’re committed to affirming healthcare practices that create an inclusive and supportive environment for transgender, intersex, and non-binary students.
You are eligible for gender affirming healthcare services if you’re a full-time student with any insurance plan or a part-time student with the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). Part-time students without SHIP can attend mental health support groups and get help in an emergency. We can also refer you to community providers for more services.
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
Make an appointment online:
- Log on to Patient Connect
- Select Messages
- Select New Message
- Select Gender Affirming Healthcare
Frequently Asked Questions
What is covered by the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)?
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 may vary based on your needs and where you get care. Gender-affirming medication and counseling will be covered at the same rate as any other type of medication or counseling service.
Learn more about SHIP
What can I expect?
You have the
right to obtain accurate information about your healthcare, to ask questions, and to advocate for yourself.
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. We encourage you to be open and honest with your healthcare provider so they can best support your well-being.
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 applies to students with a BU Aetna Student Health Insurance Plan and other health insurance plans.
View the Gender Affirmation Pre-Surgery Checklist here.
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.
Gender-Affirming Healthcare Team providers are identified on the
staff directory.
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:
BU Directory: Edit your name, pronouns, and/or gender identity across BU systems (including Patient Connect) by updating the BU directory under the “Update Your Personal Preferences” section.
*Note: Enter your chosen name in the ‘Display First Name’ 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?
Learn more about the locations of gender-neutral bathrooms at BU:
