At a glance:
- Initiation and continuation of hormone therapy (also known as hormone replacement therapy or HRT)
- Well-person visits (physicals, annuals, or health maintenance exams)
- General primary care (for urgent and non-urgent health concerns)
- Sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and treatment
- PrEP and PEP
- Pelvic exam and cervical cancer screening
- Pregnancy prevention
- Patients receiving hormone replacement therapy or puberty blockers must be age 19 or older. Patients under age 19 are eligible for all other services.
Location: First floor (Primary Care) and third floor (Gynecology & Sexual Health) of the University Health Service Building
At UHC, we provide high-quality, affirming, accessible care to trans and gender-diverse patients in a comfortable, inclusive environment.
We are not a standalone clinic but instead are a group of specially trained providers within UHC’s Primary Care and Gynecology and Sexual Health Clinics providing affirming care to trans and gender-diverse patients
You can schedule with us for a general health care visit, to discuss goals for affirmation, to initiate or continue hormone therapy, and/or to receive referrals for gender-affirming services outside of UHC (e.g. surgery, voice coaching).
How can I schedule a visit with a Gender Affirming Care team member?
Call 734-764-8320 to speak with our call center and arrange a visit that meets your needs. Our call center staff are very knowledgeable about UHC gender affirming services and are happy to connect you with a clinician that can best help. You can specify if you would like a visit to discuss affirmation goals (including initiation of hormone therapy), a visit to continue hormone therapy that was initiated elsewhere, or an appointment unrelated to affirmation goals. You can also specify if you’d like to be seen in the Primary Care Clinic or the Gynecology and Sexual Health Clinic.
What is the process for initiating hormone therapy at UHC?
Patients receiving HRT must be age 19 or older. After publication of WPATH Standards of Care Version 8, we follow an informed consent model, which allows for patients to access hormone treatments without automatically undergoing mental health evaluation or referral from a mental health specialist (WPATH letter).
You will describe your goals, and the clinician will discuss all of the information needed about the proposed treatment plan. This includes benefits, risks, and expectations surrounding affirmation effects. A decision can then be made collaboratively on how to proceed with treatment, using a combination of your own understanding of your situation and needs and the clinician’s medical opinion on safety and effectiveness.
- Every individual's situation will be assessed and discussed during the initial appointment, taking into account your medical history and affirmation goals.
- Before your second appointment, you will likely need to complete lab tests (which requires taking a blood sample) in the lab on the 2nd floor of the University Health Service Building.
Please note hormone therapy is not covered by the health service fee. The cost of hormones is dependent on health insurance coverage and varies widely. You can contact your insurance company directly for more information. If you have questions about health insurance, you can contact our Campus Insurance Office.
I am already receiving hormone therapy. Can UHC help me continue this care?
Yes, provided you are age 19 or older. Any Gender Affirming Care provider can take over management of hormone therapy initiated elsewhere. We will review any records available, but if possible, it's best to send the following from your current provider: initial visit summary, most recent visit summary, and most recent lab results. Records can be sent in advance to us. If that's not possible, you can bring them with you to your appointment.
How can I get a letter in support of surgery from a mental health provider?
Contact UHC’s Counseling & Psychological Services to schedule an initial consultation appointment. We can also refer you to off-campus mental health providers who specialize in providing affirming services.
What are off-campus options for pursuing hormone therapy, gender-affirming surgeries, or other services?
- Corner Health Center in Ypsilanti provides hormone therapy using an informed consent model.
- Planned Parenthood of Michigan also provides hormone therapy using an informed consent model.
- The Comprehensive Gender Services Program at Michigan Medicine offers gender-affirming services including hormone therapy using an informed consent model. They also offer a range of gender-affirming surgeries as well as other services to meet your individual needs. This includes fertility preservation, hair removal, and voice therapy resources.
- Please note insurance coverage and/or fees at these locations vary widely. Please contact them directly for the latest information.
How do I change my name, pronouns, and/or gender marker?
IN YOUR MEDICAL RECORD: To provide us with your name, pronouns, sexual orientation identity and/or gender identity, log on to your patient portal and navigate to Health → Questionnaires → Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Form. Learn more about accessing your patient portal. Please note that we share a medical record system with Michigan Medicine.
We affirm that this information may change over time and are happy to update your record as needed. Please note if your gender marker in our system is not consistent with the gender marker on record with your health insurance, claims for some services such as cancer screenings may be denied. You can file an appeal if this occurs.
ON CAMPUS: Information about updating campus records is provided by Spectrum Center here.
LEGAL DOCUMENTATION: Information about changing name and/or gender marker on state ID and federal documents can be found here. Washtenaw County residents can obtain a free Washtenaw County ID card, which does not have a gender marker and has the option of adding a preferred name.
I need a doctor's note to change my name/gender markers on identity documents but haven't seen a UHC provider for my gender care.
If your previous provider(s) are not able to provide documentation for you, this is a service we can provide. You will need to establish care with one of our Gender Affirming Care providers. The provider will need information regarding your "transition-related treatment" (see National Center for Transgender Equality for details). Usually 1-2 visits and a review of outside medical records from your past provider(s) will satisfy this requirement.
Who can I contact if I have questions about Gender Affirming Care services at UHS?
Our UHC social workers are available by email or appointment to discuss both on-campus and off-campus resources.
What is UHC doing to create an inclusive, affirming environment?
Prior to formalizing the Gender Affirming Care team, clinical and clerical staff participated in a 5-hour training series focused on providing affirming care and service to lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, trans and non-binary patients. All of the bathrooms in the building are gender-inclusive. We have created new workflows to provide multiple avenues for sharing pronouns, name, and gender identity with staff and taken steps to ensure they are easily visible to all staff. We require all UHC clinicians to have continuing education about inclusive care.