
Resources compiled by North Star volunteer, Charley Cummings, June 2021
How to find an LGBTQ+ competent healthcare provider
Finding a healthcare provider who you can trust and who also understands your health needs can be a challenge. The following resources and directories can eliminate some of the guesswork and help you locate an affirming medical provider or surgeon.
- Outcare https://www.outcarehealth.org/
- WPATH Provider Search https://www.wpath.org/provider/search
- Trans in the South https://southernequality.org/resources/transinthesouth/#provider-map
- GLMA Provider Directory http://www.glma.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.ViewPage&PageID=939
- Wake Forest Safe Zone in Medicine Trained Providers https://www.wakehealth.edu/About-Us/Inclusion-and-Diversity/Safe-Zone-in-Medicine
- Transgender Surgeons https://www.transhealthcare.org/
- National LGBT Cancer Network Provider Databases https://cancer-network.org/providerdatabases/
- Charlotte Transgender Healthcare Group https://cthcg.org/provider-services/
- ECU Sexual & Gender Diversity Committee https://sgdc.ecu.edu/affirming-providers/
Tips
- Know your rights when it comes to healthcare: https://healthcarebillofrights.org/
- Look to see if the provider/surgeon is a WPATH member – this is especially important if you are taking hormones or seeking gender affirming surgery because membership in WPATH signals that they adhere to the standards of care for transgender/nonbinary health. WPATH certification is even better (though harder to find)!
- Cross check the provider on multiple directories – if they are listed in more than one directory this is generally a good sign that they have made an effort to be visible to the LGBTQ+ community and are more likely to be vetted.
- Look for non-gendered and gender expansive language on the provider’s bio / website.
- Call the front desk and ask questions:
- Are your providers and staff trained in LGBTQ health?
- Does your facility have gender neutral bathrooms?
- Does this provider regularly work with {insert identity marker} or would I be one of the first?
- Ask to review the intake/new patient forms before your appointment – options for name, pronouns and gender identity are generally a good sign.
- Seek a word-of-mouth recommendation – post on LGBTQ community groups (e.g. Facebook) to seek out a referral from other community members.
- Be mindful of your privacy and consider how much you are comfortable sharing on Facebook – some Facebook groups are moderated with the option of posting anonymously.
Transgender Care for Adults 18+ in the Triad and Beyond
- Kalos Comprehensive Care (Greensboro) https://kaloscarenc.com/
- Planned Parenthood South Atlantic (Winston Salem & Greensboro) https://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-center
- Mosaic Comprehensive Care (Chapel Hill) https://mosaiccarenc.com/transgender-care/
Telehealth Options in NC
Things to Keep in Mind
- Providers are all vetted and experienced in trans/nonbinary health and you can count on a consistent, gender-affirming experience
- Will prescribe gender-affirming hormones whether you are starting or continuing
- Often do not accept insurance (self-pay) and function in a membership/subscription-based service model
- Do not see younger folks under age 18
- Does not replace the need for a PCP for preventive care like annual physicals, health & cancer screenings, and management of other chronic health conditions
Telehealth Service | Website | About | Cost |
Plume | https://getplume.co/get-started/ | Plume provides gender-affirming care directly from your smartphone to folks ages 18-65 years | $99/month membership includes virtual visit & lab fees (cash/self-pay)Does not accept insuranceDoes not accept Medicaid or MedicareEligible for Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA)HRT Access Fund |
Folx | https://www.folxhealth.com/ | Queer and gender-affirming care including hormones, ED meds and soon will offer PrEP and home STI testing to folks ages 18+ | $59-119/month membershipincludes virtual visit, lab fees, and home delivery of most medications (cash/self-pay)Does not accept insuranceDoes not accept Medicaid or MedicareEligible for Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA)HRT Access Fund |
Carolina Gender Care | https://www.carolinagendercare.com/ | Gender-affirming hormone therapy online from local board-certified physician, Dr. Laura Torres, MD, for folks ages 18+ | Initial visit: 60-90 min. $270Follow-up visit: 20-30 min: $91Great rates for standard labsInsurance not accepted – can provide a superbill you may submit to your insurance company to see if they will reimburse you for an out-of-network visit |
Transgender & Non-binary youth and younger folks under 18
You will generally want to look for Pediatric Endocrinologists and “Gender Clinics”, especially for pre-pubertal folks interested in puberty blockers and/or families seeking support from an integrated team of pediatric specialists
- UNC PAC-G https://www.uncchildrens.org/uncmc/unc-childrens/care-treatment/endocrinology/clinical-programs/gender-clinic/
- Duke Child & Adolescent Gender Care https://www.dukehealth.org/locations/duke-child-and-adolescent-gender-care
- Levine Children’s Center for Gender Health https://atriumhealth.org/medical-services/childrens-services/childrens-specialty-care/center-for-gender-health
- Some family medicine and pediatrics offices will offer hormone therapy for adolescents & post-pubertal folks. The Charlotte Transgender Healthcare Group https://cthcg.org/provider-services/ lists options and includes providers who offer affirming primary care services
- CHMG Tim and Carolynn Rice Center for Child and Adolescent Health https://www.conehealthmedicalgroup.com/chmg/practice-locations/profile/rice-center-for-children/
Other Healthcare Resources
NC Health Info LGBTQIA+ Health https://www.nchealthinfo.org/health-topics/lgbtqia-health/
CDC LGBT Health https://www.cdc.gov/lgbthealth/index.htm
National LGBT Cancer Network https://cancer-network.org/
LGBT Health Link https://blog.lgbthealthlink.org/
Sexual Health, PrEP & PEP
Please PrEP Me https://www.pleaseprepme.org/northcarolina
PrEP Locator https://preplocator.org/
POSSE (free & confidential STI testing) https://possehealth.org/
Alamance Cares https://www.alamancecares.com/
Grants and Financial Assistance
Trans in the South https://southernequality.org/resources/transinthesouth/funding-your-transition/
Transcend Legal: Legal support to help people get transgender-related health care covered under insurance. https://transcendlegal.org/