Hi Everyone,

This has become a very challenging time for almost all Americans and especially for the LGBTQ+ community.  While we work to meet these challenges and support each other it is import to make sure we take care of our own health.  We are updating our #WellnessWednesday posts to document sites that are still compassionately offering Gender-affirming health services.  We are doing this work by states in alphabetical order.

This week we are covering the resources in Illinois, Indiana and Iowa for Transgender, Non-Binary, and Gender Non-Conforming Care.

Many resources are, to their credit,  creating  comfortable places for routine and proactive health maintenance as well as preventative health care.  We will try to highlight what is offered in each case.

If you still can’t find the health care you need, drop us a note on FB (B.UR.SLF LLC), instagram/ twitter @burslfllc or email burslfllc@gmail.com and we will see what we can do to help.

Illinois

The good news for Illinois is that HB 4664 protects access to gender-affirming care and reproductive healthcare. It will also protect Illinois healthcare providers who are providing care, including abortions and gender-affirming care, from being targeted by states that have outlawed such care.

Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center (Website – LGBTQ Health Care Services, FB – Advocate Health Care)

For gender-affirming care Advocate Illinois is currently recommending The Northwestern Medicine Gender Pathways Program.

 

Northwester Medicine (Website – Gender Pathways Program, FB – Northwestern Medicine, IG – @northwesternmedicine)

The Gender Pathways Program offers a very large range of gender-affirming services including gender affirming hormone treatment and surgeries,  primary care, and preventative healthcare.

Payment Options:  Northwestern accepts insurance, and has financial assistance, Aurora insurance accepted and Aurora financial assistance.

Contact Northwestern for locations

No age restrictions are given, contact Northwestern for more details

 

Chicago Women’s Health Center  (Website – Trans Health Services, FB –Chicago Women’s Health Center, IG – @chicagowomensheatlthcenter)

A large number of services are offered including gender-affirming hormone therapy, primary and gynecological care, alternate insemination, pelvic floor therapy, STI screening, birth control, voice coaching.

Payment Options:  All services are offered on a self-pay sliding scale and some insurance plans are also accepted, click the link paying for services for details.

Chicabo Women’s Health center is located between the Uptown and Buena Park neighborhoods in Chicago

Care is for persons 18+, for younger patients they recommend contacting Lurie Children’s Hospital

 

Howard Brown Health Center   (Webstie – Trans and Gender Diverse Health, FB – Howard Brown Health Center, IG – @howardbrownhealth)

gender-affirming hormone therapy, gender-affirming surgery navigation – pre- & post-operative care, assistance in locating gender-affirming surgery options, HIV/STI testing and treatment, gyneocological/breast cancer screening, pregnancy testing and birth control, pharmacy, dentistry.

Payment Options:  Howard Brown Health accepts insurance and has sliding scale payments for the uninsured.

There are a number of locations from Englewood up to Westridge in Chicago and telehealth

Pediatric, youth and adult patients are accepted.  

 

Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago (Website – Gender Development Program, FB – Lurie Children’s, IG – @luriechildrens).

Although Lurie used to offer hormone therapy, pubertal suppression therapy, and behavioral health, they are no longer transparent on their website about which medical services (non-behavioral) they are providing.  Contact Lurie for further insight.

Payment Options:  Lurie’s has several options for financial assistance and also accepts insurance, click the links for further information.

There are several locations on the Near Northside of Chicago.

Services available for pediatric and youth patients.  

 

Rush Medical (Website – Gender Affirming Care, FB – Rush University Medical Center IG – @rushmedical).

The Gender Affirming Care Program provide gender-affirming hormone therapy and surgery and a variety of other services including primary care, surgery, obstetrics/gynecology, sexual health, STD/HIV testing, treatment and prevention, and behavior health

Payment Options:  Rush Medical accepts insurance and has financial assistance options.

Rush Medical Center has locations for gender affirming care in Chicago on the near northside and in Morton Grove, a Northwest suburb of Chicago.

Rush Medical accepts pediatric to adult patients.  

 

SIU (Website – Gender Equity and Transgender Clinic, FB – SIU Medicine IG – @siu_medicine).

The gender equity and transgender clinic provides a broad array of services including gender-affirming hormone therapy and surgery also puberty blockers and a variety of other services including primary care, surgery, obstetrics/gynecology, sexual health, STD/HIV testing, treatment and prevention – PrEP, referrals to voice coaching and  behavior health

Payment Options:  Click the links for information on billing and insurance and financial assistance options.

Check the site for locations.

SIU appears to serve  pediatric, adolescent and adult patients.  

 

Weiss Memorial Hospital (Website – Gender Confirmation Surgery, FB –Weiss Hospital , IG – @weisshospital)

Weiss Hospital offers a variety of gender confirmation surgeries.

Payment Options: click the link insurance and financial support for information about payment options.

Weiss Memorial Hospital is in Uptown area of Chicago.

No age limits are given, but it appears that the program is for adults 18+

 

UIC Gender and Sexuality Center (Website – Gender and Sexuality Center Health Care, FB – UICGSC, IG – @UICGSC).

The Gender and Sexuality Center (GSC) offers a full range of gender affirmation services.  These services are not detailed on the website, so contact the center for more information.  A list of doctors actively seeking Trans/GNC patients is given.  For students considering gender reassignment surgery, please visit this website – UI Health Gender Affirmation Surgery.

Payment Options: no obvious payment options, possibly the health care is covered for students under a student health care policy.

The Gender and Sexuality Center (GSC) is in the Behavioral Science Building (BSB) on the UIC East Campus

While not stated, it is assumed that services are for UIC students and possibly staff.

 

Planed Parenthood of Illinois (PPIL) (Website – Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy, FB – Planned Parenthood, IG – #plannedparenthoodofillinois)

All of the PPIL sites offer Gender Affirming Hormone therapy as well as other services including wellness screenings/ exams, reproductive health, prevention and treatment of infections, STIs and HIV

Payment Options:  Many PP Health Centers accept insurance and offer financial help, check with the center for details .

There are x PPIL sites 7 locations in downtown Chicago in  Austin, Englewood, Loop, Near North, Rodgers Park, Roselawn and Wicker Park   7 in Chicago suburbs, Aurora, Flossmoor, Orland Park and Waukegan and 7 outside of Chicago, located in Bloomington, Champaign, Decatur, Ottawa, Pekin, Peoria, and Springfield.  All the locations and options for telehealth appoints can be found at this link – locations

The service is intended for adults 18+, but some PP Health Centers offer service to patients 16 to 17  and you may be able to get HRT with parental consent and additional paperwork, check with the Health Center. 

 

Plume Clinic 100% On-Line Gender-Affirming and Trans-Focused Healthcare  (Website – Plume, FB – Plume Clinic, IG – @plume_clinic)

Plume Clinic offers 100% on-line gender-affirming and trans-focused care for your full authentic self.  They offer a wide range of services including gender-affirming hormone therapy transition support, sexual health services, mental health and everyday wellness.

Click the Illinois link for Plume Clinic online service.

Payment Options:  Plume accepts self-pay in Alaska for their monthly membership plans.

Patients must be 19 years of age to get services from Plume

 

Phoenix Center, Central Illinois’ LGBTQ Community Center  (Website – Transgender Resources, FB –Phoenix Center, IG – none found)

This website provides information for the downstate PPIL providers (above) that provide gender-affirming hormone  therapy and therapies, also puberty blockers.  The site also highlights a variety of resources for the transgender person including endocrinologists specializing in working with transgender people, resources for transgender adolescents and children, surgeons specializing in gender confirmation surgery, drills and voice techniques.

Payment Options: there are no obvious payment options, check with the individual providers for information.

The Phoenix Center is located in Springfield.

No age restrictions are given, check with the individual providers for age limitations for services.

 

VA Services for LGBTQ Veterans in Illinois  We no longer recommending VA services and clinic as safe spaces for LGBTQ care.

 

Indiana

The bad news for Indiana is Senate Enrolled Act 480 (SEA 480), enacted 27 February 2024 restricts gender-affirming care for transgender minors, including hormone therapy and puberty blockers. This law prohibits medical providers from providing these services to minors and also bans providers from “aiding and abetting” parents seeking such treatment outside of Indiana. While mental health care for transgender youth remains accessible, medical procedures are restricted. Legal assistance for transgender youth in Indiana is available through Indiana Legal Services. 

 

Ezkenazi Health (Website – Eskenazi Health, FB –Ezkenazi Health , IG – @ezkenazihealth) – note the #1 in the IG name in  place of an ‘i’

The links to the Gender Health program at Ezkenazi Health are no longer functioning.  Contact the provider for details on services, billing and financial matters.

Ezkenazi Health is located in Indianapolis

No age limits are given.  Contact the provider

 

Plume Clinic 100% On-Line Gender-Affirming and Trans-Focused Healthcare  (Website – Plume, FB – Plume Clinic, IG – @plume_clinic)

Plume Clinic offers 100% on-line gender-affirming and trans-focused care for your full authentic self.  They offer a wide range of services including gender-affirming hormone therapy transition support, sexual health services, mental health and everyday wellness.

Click the Indiana link for Plume Clinic online service

Payment Options:  Plume accepts self-pay in Alaska for their monthly membership plans.

Patients must be 19 years of age to get services from Plume

 

Riley Children’s Health at Indiana University Health (Website – Gender Health Program, FB –Riley Children’s Health , IG – @rileychildrens)

Riley Children’s Health offers the following services – gender affirmig hormone therapy. menstrual suppression, surgery consultation and coordination.

Payment Option: Riley Children’s has a list of commonly accepted insurance and also a link to financial assistance program.  Click the links for more information.  

Riley Children’s Health is located in Indianapolis.

Riley health is blocked by law from providing gender-transition services to minors or provide recommendations to service providers in other states.  Check our state blog posts for service providers in other states.  

 

Bloomington Pride offers a list of resources curated by a group of LGBTQ+ students at the Indiana University Maurer School of Law (Website – Bloomington Pride Transgender Health Care, FB –Bloomington Pride , IG – @btown_pride, #bloomingtonpride)

The gender confirmation surgeries.

The Bloomington Pride list includes primary care physicians, endocrinologists (HRT), surgeons, gyneocologists, family practice physicians, pharmacies, health centers and many other resources.

Payment Options:  Contact individual providers.

Resources are located in Bloomington.

Check individual providers for ages served

 

VA Health Care for LGBTQ Veterans in Indiana.  We are no longer recommending VA Health Care or Clinics as a safe space for LGBTQ services.

 

Iowa

Iowa is also unfortunately blocking gender-affirming care to minors younger than 18, but medical professionals are not legally barred from recommending out-of-state services.  Check other states in our blog for services.  In Iowa, while some forms of gender-affirming care are legally restricted, particularly for youth, access to comprehensive transgender healthcare remains available through various avenues. Iowa law bans certain gender-affirming care for patients under 18, including hormone therapy, puberty-delaying medication, and surgery until they turn 18.  Organizations like the University of Iowa LGBTQ Clinic and UnityPoint Clinic offer inclusive and specialized transgender healthcare services. 

 

University of Iowa Health Care (Website – UI Health Care LGBTQ Clinic, FB –UI Health Care , IG – @uihealthcare)

There are a variety of services available at the clinic including gender-confirming hormone therapy, sexual health, chest, breast & pelvic exams, pap smears, prostate exams, STI/ HIV testing, prevention and treatment including PEP and PrEP for HIV.  Post-surgical care following gender-affirming surgery.  Referrals to specialty care.

Payment Options: U of Iowa Health  Care accepts the listed insurance providers and have financial resource assistance check the links for more information.   

UI Health Care LBGTQ Clinic is located in Coraville

No age limits are given, but it appears that the program is for adults 18+

 

Affiliated Reproductive Health Clinics (ARHC).  Has taken the site for transgender healthcare and may no longer exist as an organization.

 

Unity Pointe Health (Website – LGBTQ Health Care in Central Iowa, FB – Unity Pointe Health – Des Moines , IG – @unitypointehealth)

Unity Point Health offers gender-affirming hormone therapy, pre- and post-surgical care for patients having gender affirming surgery, routine/ preventative/ wellness care, STI/STD/HIV testing, treatment and prevention PrEP and counseling and prevention.  Sexual health, gynecological exams, including trans affirming gynecology,  Trans-sensitive pap smears, pelvic exams, and prostate exams.  Comprehensive multi-disciplinary care for trans adults.  Gender-affirming voice therapy.

Payment Options:  Unity Point accepts insurance and has financial assistance click the link for additional information on financial assistance may.

Unity Pointe Health is located in Des Moines.

No age limits stated but appears to be for 18+ patients.

 

Emma Goldman Clinic (Website – Trans Health Initiative, FB – Emma Goldman Clinic, IG – #emmagoldmanclinic)

Emma Goldman Clinic serves gender diverse individuals.  Services provided inlude  sexual health and sexual health screening, gynecological exams, chest and breast exams pre and post surgery, STI testing.

Payment Options: there are discounted and free services, it’s not clear if insurance is accepted, check with the provider.

The Emma Goldman Clinic is in Iowa City.

Services are for adults, Iowa law currently blocks gender-affirming services to minors.

 

University of Iowa Healthcare (Website – LGBTQ Clinic, FB – University of Iowa HealthCare , IG – @uihealthcare)

UI LGBTQ Clinic offers gender-affirming hormone therapy, gender affirming surgery, routine/ preventative/ wellness care, STI/STD/HIV testing, treatment and prevention and ob/ gyn services, post-surgery services after gender-affirming surgery voice coaching.

Payment Options: Click the link for information on billing, insurance and financial assistance and financial assistance click the links for more information.

UI Healthcare has several locations, click the link for more information.

The LGBTQ Clinic can only offer gender-affirming services to 18+.

 

Plume Clinic 100% On-Line Gender-Affirming and Trans-Focused Healthcare  (Website – Plume, FB – Plume Clinic, IG – @plume_clinic)

Plume Clinic offers 100% on-line gender-affirming and trans-focused care for your full authentic self.  They offer a wide range of services including gender-affirming hormone therapy transition support, sexual health services, mental health and everyday wellness.

Click the Iowa link for Plume Clinic online service.

Payment Options:  Plume accepts self-pay in Alaska for their monthly membership plans.

Patients must be 19 years of age to get services from Plume

 

Iowa University Center for LGBTQIA and Student Success (Website – Thielen Student Health Center, FB – The Center ISU , IG – @thecenterisu)

At the moment Thielen Student Health Center can not initiate hormone replacement therapy, but the pharmacy at Thielen Studet Health Center can refill hormone prescriptions and the health center can refer students to providers who can initiate hormone therapy.

Payment Options:  are not obvious but probably include student health insurance and other insurance coverage.

The Thielen Student Health Center is located in Memorial Union in Ames

Care is for university students.  

 

Planned Parenthood of Iowa has (9) Health Centers that belong to one organizaiton Planned Parenthood North Central States (Website – PP North Central States, FB – PP North Central States, IG – @ppgnorthcentralstates) which offers Transgender Hormone Therapy at all PP North Central States at the health centers and by telehealth

The Health Centers are Ames Center located in Ames, Cedar Falls Center located in Cedar Falls, Council Bluffs Health Center in Council Bluffs, Susan Knapp Health Center and  Rosenfield both in Des Moines, Iowa City Health Center in Iowa City, Sioux City Center in Sioux City and West Health Center in Urbandale and all centers offer services via telehealth.

All health centers offer sexual and reproductive health including testing, treatement and prevention for STD/HIV as well as general health care and men’s and women’s health care.

Payment Options:  Many PP Health Centers accept insurance and offer financial help, check with the center for details 

The service is intended for adults 18+, but some PP Health Centers offer service to patients 16 to 17  and you may be able to get HRT with parental consent and additional paperwork, check with the Health Center.

 

VA Health Care for LGBTQ Veterans in Iowa  We currently do not recommend VA Healthcare or Clinics as safe spaces for LGBTQ healthcare

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About the author, Gayle M. Frankenbach, Ph.D. is the mother of a Daughter, Lise and a transgender son Elliott.  Elliott and Gayle both passionately desire to care about and care for the trans community.  Elliott and Gayle also both love the unbound creativity of the cosplay community.  When we realized there is a big overlap between the two communities B.UR.SLF, LLC was born at the interface of these two great communities to serve them individually and together.  Elliott and Gayle also enjoy running a trans son & parent business to be visible for parents on a journey to visibly support their own trans kids and be a great allies.