- Event marks nationwide rollout of accepting insurance
coverage, expanded clinical services, access to 4,000+ Quest and
Labcorp locations
- Individuals covered under an Illinois-based Cigna, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare
and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois health plan can now access Plume as
an in-network provider
- Individuals covered under a contracted health plan qualify
for $32 Plume membership
offering
CHICAGO, April 17,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Plume Clinic, one of the largest
digital health providers of gender affirming care and transition
support services for the trans and gender diverse community,
announced new payer and lab arrangements, expansion of its clinical
services and a lower $32 membership
offering in Illinois. The event is
part of a phased national rollout as an in-network clinical
provider with multiple health insurance carriers across the
U.S.
"We're thrilled to be able to accept insurance and expand our
services to the trans community covered under a health benefit
plan, starting with Illinois,"
said Matthew Wetschler MD (he/him),
chief executive officer and co-founder of Plume Clinic. "Plume is
unique in that it is exclusively focused on serving the needs of
the trans community. Our digital platform is able to help trans,
nonbinary and gender nonconforming individuals from Chicago, Springfield and townships across Illinois easily connect to the expert care and
support services they need in a matter of days versus weeks or
months – in a safe, affirming and welcoming environment, no matter
where they might be on their gender journey."
According to the Williams Institute1, an
estimated 43,400 trans adults (18+) live in Illinois. Approximately 87 percent of trans
individuals are covered under a health benefit plan, according to
the 2022 U.S. Trans Survey2.
Trans, nonbinary and gender nonconforming individuals covered
under an Illinois-based Cigna,
Aetna, UnitedHealthcare or Blue Cross and Blue Shield of
Illinois health plan can now
access Plume's virtual clinical services for $32 a month, with typical patient co-pays and
deductibles applied to services, based on each individual's health
benefit plan. More carriers are expected to be added to the mix in
Illinois in the coming months.
Services offered through Plume includes access to gender affirming
care, as well as treatment for common health issues such as
anxiety, depression, allergies, contraception, acne, smoking
cessation and more. Related lab services can now be accessed
through more than 4,000 Quest or Labcorp facilities
nationwide. Additionally, as part of their monthly membership,
individuals will also have access to critical transition support
services such as peer support groups, letters of support and
informational sessions for name change, gender affirming surgery
and more.
"Plume's digital platform has enabled us to bring together a
nationwide team of clinicians and support staff who have deep
knowledge and expertise in all aspects of gender affirming care,
many of whom are transgender, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming,"
said Jerrica Kirkley MD (she/her),
chief medical officer and co-founder of Plume Clinic. "Our expanded
clinical services will enable us to help members address additional
health concerns such as depression, anxiety or contraception –
along with gender affirming care – all in the same appointment. And
we're excited to make Plume's services available on an in-network
basis to those covered under a contracted insurance plan – it will
help drive down the cost of care for those patients and aligns with
our mission to transform health care for every trans
life."
About Plume Clinic
Plume Clinic is one of the largest virtual providers exclusively
focused on serving the trans and gender diverse community in the
U.S. Since it first opened its "virtual doors" in 2019, Plume has
helped more than 30,000 trans, nonbinary and gender nonconforming
patients access life saving gender affirming care as well as
critically needed transition support services, and is on a mission
to transform health care for all trans lives. To find out more
information on insurance plans accepted at Plume Clinic, states we
operate in, or our full range of services, visit
www.getplume.co.
1/Williams Institute June 2022
2 2022 U.S. Trans Survey
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SOURCE Plume