Health insurance regulators have expanded the coverage for transgender Vermonters receiving Medicaid.

Previously people seeking gender reassignment surgeries and other body-altering procedures related to gender dysphoria could be covered by Medicaid only if they were 21 or older. Under the new rules, Medicaid will extend gender modification coverage to everyone, including minors with parental consent. The rule change further allows emancipated minors with Medicaid to receive body modification surgeries.

In response to inquiry from Washington Examiner, officials in the state of Vermont confirmed that emancipation for minors is offered to those aged 16-18 who can prove that they are in charge of their own finances and hold the equivalent of a high school diploma, among other criteria.

Vermont offers Medicaid to all children under 18 and families whose household income is below 312% of the federal poverty level. According to the Vermont Department of Health, nearly half of children under 18 use Medicaid as their primary health insurance.

Medicaid in Vermont covers 16 body modification surgeries related to gender identity. The rules state that beneficiaries must satisfy certain criteria such as living as the gender which they identify for 12 consecutive months, and obtaining written proof from medical professionals who feel that the requested surgeries are "medically necessary."