[UCRDBR] Kaiser Permanente Pauses Gender Affirming Care for Members Under Age 19

[Departmental Benefits Representatives]

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August 12, 2025

To:
Department Benefits Representatives (DBRs)
From:
Central HR Benefits Office on behalf of UC Office of the President
Re:
Kaiser Permanente Pauses Gender Affirming Care for Members Under Age 19

DBRs, please share this information via your internal listserv.  Do not reply to this email.  Please
send a separate email with questions to benefits at ucr.edu<mailto:benefits at ucr.edu>.

UCOP has been notified that, effective August 29, 2025, Kaiser Permanente will pause gender-affirming surgical procedures for members under the age of 19 at all hospitals and surgical centers nationwide. Several other major medical facilities have implemented similar pauses.  As uncertainty grows around the implementation of the federal executive order and potential for medical institution funding withdrawals, other medical groups and hospital systems may adopt similar measures.

In response, the California Attorney General has filed a lawsuit to overturn the executive order, joined by several other states.

What UC Kaiser Members Can Expect?


  *   Direct Outreach: Kaiser Permanente is proactively contacting affected members to offer guidance. While gender-affirming surgical procedures remain a covered benefit under Kaiser plans, members should coordinate with Kaiser to access eligible providers.


  *   Continued Non-Surgical Services: Gender-affirming non-surgical services will continue to be available at Kaiser facilities without change.


  *   Support Contacts: Members with specific questions should call 1-866-955-7037 (Kaiser Permanente's Gender Affirming Hotline) or contact their provider's office.

Other UC Health Plans
Anthem (for self-funded PPO plans) and Health Net (for the UC Blue and Gold HMO plan) are closely monitoring developments related to the federal order. At this time, no changes have been reported.

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