EAST HARLEM, NY — Transgender patients can now access hormone therapy and gender-affirming surgery at the NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan in East Harlem, the city hospital announced Tuesday. The expansion of services establishes Metropolitan as the only hospital in the city's public health system to offer gender-affirming surgeries.



These safe and affordable services are now offered at the hospital's LGBTQ Health Center, which provides individual and family-based primary care to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer New Yorkers. The LGBTQ Health Center will provide "top surgery" to transgender patients, including breast implants, breast augmentation and chest masculinization, according to the press release. Doctors will work closely with patients and their health insurers to make sure patients receive all the mandatory pre-surgical clearances and statements of medical necessity from their physicians.

Hormone therapy is now offered as well. Patients can make an appointment for a consultation with a hormone therapy specialist on Tuesdays from 1-4 p.m. "We are proud to lead the way in providing equitable health care for all of our patients, regardless of their gender identities," said Metropolitan CEO Alina Moran in a statement. "Transgender and gender-non-conforming people remain extremely vulnerable to experiencing barriers in accessing health care. By expanding our transgender-affirming services, we are renewing our commitment to ensure that all of our patients live their healthiest lives."



Metropolitan was the first hospital in the city to open a clinic designated to meet the needs of the LGBTQ community. The Human Rights Campaign Foundation recognized Metropolitan as a "Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality" in their Healthcare Equality Index 2014. The LGBTQ Health Center will expand its business hours to accompany the new services. Along with the current office hours of Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Center will also be open Wednesdays from 5-8 p.m.



To learn more about these new services or make an appointment at the LGBTQ Health Center, email metlgbt@nychhc.org or call 212-423-7292.