Cuomo: Insurers Cannot Deny Coverage Based On Gender Identity

On Wednesday, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that health insurers cannot discriminate or deny coverage based on gender identity. Cuomo says this action will ensure that transgender or gender nonconforming individuals receive coverage, regardless of whether they present as the gender to whom the service is typically provided. The Department of Financial Services (DFS) issued a letter that instructs health insurers to take reasonable steps to determine whether the insured is eligible for the services prior to denying a claim.