UPenn To Cover Sex Change Operations

The University of Pennsylvania is extending its student health coverage to include sex change operations. The university says its part of their non-discriminatory practices.

Fox 29’s Julie Kim reported from UPenn’s campus, speaking to one health care expert who said this type of coverage is very rare.

The Human Rights Commission says most insurance plans exclude most or all coverage pertaining to sexual re-assignment surgeries.

UPenn has now joined a small but growing club of institutions and companies that provide health care coverage for all or some transgender surgeries.

Coverage begins in Fall 2010 and is capped at $50,000. Included in the coverage is transgender surgery, hormonal therapy and counseling.