BCBSRI Recognizes Healthcare Sites Providing LGBTQ-Inclusive Care

March 15, 2023 - Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island has recognized 10 healthcare sites that provide inclusive care tailored to meet the needs of the LGBTQ community.

The recognition comes in the form of an LGBTQ Safe Zone certification, which the payer assigns to healthcare sites twice per year.

To receive an LGBTQ Safe Zone certification, organizations must include staff training specific to the care of LGBTQ patients, protection for patients and staff from discrimination based on gender identity or expression, inclusive forms and procedures, and gender-neutral bathrooms. In addition, sites must have a public commitment to connecting with and serving the LGBTQ community.

Certified sites can consist of organizations offering primary care, behavioral health, palliative care, pediatric care, oral care, physical rehabilitation, and child and family services. Additionally, the program recognizes organizations serving individuals who have experienced sexual assault, domestic abuse, and substance abuse.

The latest round of certifications recognizes five sites that are part of Lifespan—a not-for-profit health system based in Providence, Rhode Island—and its affiliate Coastal Medical.

Hasbro Children’s Hospital Adolescent Medical Clinic, which provides specialized sexual and reproductive healthcare, gender-affirming services, and eating disorder care, has received a Safe Zone designation.

Hasbro Children’s Hospital Rehabilitation Services, the Miriam Hospital Infectious Disease Department, the Miriam Hospital’s Sexually Transmitted Infections Clinic, and Coastal Medical Consultants in Cardiology also received certifications.

These organizations are the first Miriam Hospital and Hasbro Children’s Hospital locations to receive Safe Zone certification from BCBSRI.

However, these are not the first Lifespan locations recognized for their LGBTQ-inclusive care. In the fall of 2022, 19 Coastal Medical sites were designated Safe Zones. The number of Coastal Medical Safe Zone sites is now 22, the press release noted.

BCBSRI launched the program in 2016 and has since awarded 80 facilities with the Safe Zone certification.

“We understand that feeling respected and safe is critical to the LGBTQ community, which has historically experienced mistreatment and discrimination in healthcare settings,” Scott Gowrie, Safe Zone program lead, said in the press release.

“We’re pleased that our Safe Zone program continues its steady growth and now includes a broad range of providers. This latest cohort importantly includes several major providers that offer gender-affirming care and sexual health services, including practices that specialize in serving adolescents.”

In addition to the five Lifespan sites, three Pappas OPT Physical, Sports and Hand Therapy locations have received an LGBTQ Safe Zone designation. Suzanne Lowe, a certified nurse midwife in Johnston, RI, and Julie Stone, an adult clinical therapist who runs JStone Therapy in North Providence, RI, have also been Safe Zone certified.

By recognizing healthcare providers that offer safe, inclusive care for LGBTQ populations, payers can help members identify and access healthcare that meets their needs. This is especially important as recent legislation across the country aims to ban gender-affirming care and insurance coverage for transgender people and other members of the LGBTQ community.

Several payers have launched plans or collaborations to help increase access to care for LGBTQ members. For example, Tufts Health Plan and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care partnered with the connected healthcare delivery platform Included Health to provide members with integrated, comprehensive LGBTQ health services.

Additionally, SCAN Health Plan created a Medicare Advantage plan for older adults who are part of the LGBTQ community, which offers on-demand virtual care and lower costs for HIV treatments and gender-affirming care.