The informed consent model of care is based on providing accurate and in-context information so that you can make the best decision about your healthcare plan.
When people talk about options for gender-affirming care, oftentimes, you will hear about the ‘informed consent’ model for Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).
As opposed to older models of gaining access to HRT through years of therapy and psychoanalysis, an informed consent model is much more accessible for adults looking for gender-affirming care as part of their transition.
What is the informed consent model for HRT?
Informed consent is the practice of medical professionals disclosing enough information and alternative solutions to their clients in order for them to make an informed decision about their own healthcare.
Informed consent is the practice of medical professionals educating a patient on the benefits, potential risks, and alternative solutions for a given medical intervention, in order to allow the patient to make a fully informed decision about their own healthcare.
Essentially, these standards grant the same access to gender-affirming procedures for transgender population as for cisgender people .
In many places in the past, patients had to get a letter from a therapist saying that they could get HRT before they could get hormones. In many situations, people also had to undergo extensive mental health counseling and testing in order to “prove” their gender before being allowed HRT.
Unlike the 1998 Harry Benjamin Standards of Care , the informed consent model doesn’t believe that people need therapy before they can make a decision about whether HRT is right for them .
Many reputable medical centers and physicians believe that people should be given complete, accurate information and supported in making their own decisions about whether to get HRT or not.
A review from 2019 shows that practices with low or no gate-keeping (like informed consent models) are one of the best ways to improve people’s satisfaction with their care and lower the number of primary care visits.
How to find providers that use the informed consent model
You may be wondering how to find providers and medical institutions that use this informed consent model, and if so, you have more options than ever before to access quality gender-affirming care .
There are Federally Qualified Health Clinics (FQHCs) that often provide medical care to underserved populations, including LGBTQ+-focused ones. Many LGBTQ+ FQHCs are dedicated to helping queer and trans patients like:
Trans activist and journalist Erin Reed has also put together a prolific Google map of informed consent medical establishments worldwide .
Online options like Plume and Folx Health work with existing health insurance companies and clinicians. These options can be accessible to those who aren’t close to any informed consent-style clinics or may live in states — like Florida, where gender-affirming care is less accessible due to hostile anti-trans laws and sentiment.
These models are subscription-based, and you typically need a video call appointment in order to obtain your HRT.
FAQ about informed consent HRT models
Keep reading to learn more about some of the most commonly asked questions about informed consent models.
How old do you have to be to get HRT using informed consent?
In most places, you do need to be 18 years or older in order to get HRT using informed consent. At some health clinics, you can be 16 or 17 years old with a parent’s consent.
Ask your primary healthcare professional about their standards and if puberty blockers may be accessible until you’re eligible for HRT.
Is gender dysphoria required for HRT?
No, at least not in most places that have informed consent in place. Gender dysphoria is not a prerequisite diagnosis required for HRT. If you believe HRT will help bring gender euphoria and aid in your transition goals — that’s all that’s necessary.
They may ask you about your gender identity and what your transition goals are, but this is in order to accurately give you the correct dosage for your needs (for instance, many nonbinary people will choose to go on a lower dose of HRT ).
Do you need a therapist letter for HRT?
No, you don’t need a therapist’s letter with the informed consent model if you’re an adult (18 years or older). If the clinic doesn’t provide informed consent, you may need a therapist’s letter of approval.
Even if a therapist’s letter isn’t required to access the treatment, in some cases, your insurance company may still require one for coverage. It’s best to check with your insurance provider before beginning treatment to make sure.
Takeaway
The informed consent model for HRT provides people seeking gender-affirming care with more agency compared to past models — where you would need to have a therapist’s approval and sometimes go through years of red tape before accessing treatment.
Medical gatekeeping leads to lower healthcare use and lower patient satisfaction overall. If you’re over 18 years old, you can start HRT as soon as you and your doctor discuss the potential effects on your overall health.
If you’re looking for gender-affirming care, you don’t have to wait! Once you understand the risks and benefits , you can start transitioning on your timeline.
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