Ann Arbor Times

In a recent announcement, the University of Michigan Medical Center has decided to halt the prescription of puberty blockers and gender-affirming hormones for patients under 19. This decision comes in response to "unprecedented legal and regulatory threats" facing clinicians and the institution. The center acknowledges the significant impact this change will have on its patients.

The Comprehensive Gender Services Program (CGSP) at University of Michigan Health will continue to support gender-diverse patients by providing mental health services and other appropriate care, excluding puberty blockers and gender-affirming hormones. Patients aged 19 and over will not be affected by this policy change.

Patients needing assistance can contact their healthcare provider through the MyUofMHealth patient portal or by calling their clinic. Additionally, those impacted by this change can access increased mental health services by scheduling a "Pediatric Gender Clinic Mental Health Visit."

CGSP remains committed to helping transgender, gender nonconforming, and nonbinary adults access high-quality gender-affirming medical care. The program includes a team of physicians from various specialties such as dermatology, endocrinology, family medicine, OB/GYN, otolaryngology, plastic surgery, speech and language pathology, and urology. It also features experienced clinical social workers who provide mental health support.

The program acts as a central hub for gender-affirming care at University of Michigan Health. Patients can contact CGSP directly for information on specific services or to submit letters of support needed for clinical services. Starting with CGSP does not require a doctor's referral; interested individuals can request a Service Inquiry Form (SIQ) via phone or email.

For those considering gender-affirming surgery at University of Michigan Health, CGSP outlines a general process that typically takes eight months to over a year from submitting support letters to undergoing surgery. Wait times may vary based on service demand and provider capacity.

While CGSP cannot recommend specific insurers or plans for coverage of gender-affirming medical care, it advises contacting insurance companies directly for detailed information about coverage options.

For further inquiries or assistance, individuals can reach out to the Comprehensive Gender Services Program at their Ann Arbor location via phone or email.

Information from this article can be found here.