Employees of the largest supermarket chain in the US are now covered for gender reassignment surgery under the company’s health insurance plan.
Kroger announced this week that workers will be able to claim up to $100,000 through the Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield towards the necessary surgery and drug therapy toward gender reassignment, beginning in 2016.
“These changes are a culmination of efforts to actively engage our leaders by educating them on the specific needs of our transgender associates and empowering them with a voice and a venue to share their stories,” the company said in an internal memo.
The story became public when Britney McGannon, a Kroger associate who has been undergoing gender reassignment for three years, posted about the memo on Facebook. McGannon said her conersations with colleagues had helped contribute to the company’s decision.
“I am pretty excited,” she told reporters. “I never thought when I came out three years ago that with a little bit of work, I could help make a big change and help so many other people.
“I never thought that would happen.”
The announcement comes after several state insurance regulators have issued reminders to insurance companies that they must stop denying coverage for medical services needed by transgender people.
Last summer, Washington state Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler issued a letter to health insurers stressing that they cannot legally deny services based on a patient’s gender identity or dysphoria. Additionally, transition services such as counseling and hormone therapy must be made available.
“The Insurance Commissioner’s Office will review filings and coverage for prohibited exclusions and for whether medically necessary services for transgender individuals are covered to the same extent that those services are covered for non-transgender individuals enrolled in the same plan,” he wrote. “Additionally, those affected by exclusions and denials of service will be encouraged to contact the agency so that specific issues can be investigated and addressed.”
Kroger has 400 stores in the US and employs more than 400,000 workers, making it the seventh largest employer in the nation.
