Bill > SB1224

This bill aims to strengthen protections for transgender and gender diverse individuals' access to health care coverage by amending existing Hawaii insurance laws. It prohibits health insurers, mutual benefit societies, and health maintenance organizations from arbitrarily denying coverage for gender-affirming care services that are considered standard of care and supported by scientific evidence, such as those outlined in the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) Standards of Care. The bill requires insurance carriers to provide more transparent and detailed explanations when denying coverage, including the specific training and expertise of the individuals making coverage determinations and a plain-language rationale for the denial. Additionally, the bill mandates that medical necessity reviews take into account the most recent WPATH guidelines and prohibits classifying a person's gender identity as a behavioral health condition to deny coverage. The legislation also expands the list of covered gender-affirming services, including various surgical procedures, hormone therapies, and supportive treatments, and requires insurance providers to make coverage information publicly accessible. The bill's broader purpose is to reduce health disparities and address the significantly higher suicide risk among transgender individuals by ensuring more comprehensive and equitable health care coverage.

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https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1224&year=2026