A New York City transgender woman has won insurance coverage for her sex change operation.
The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund said Wednesday MVP Health Care agreed to cover the doctor-recommended procedure for Ida Hammer.
It had originally denied her claim on the grounds it was "cosmetic," and therefore not covered under her policy.
The 34-year-old patient had applied for pre-authorization for her male-to-female sex reassignment surgery in July 2011.
TLDEF said that after denying two appeals, MVP reversed its decision and deemed the surgery medically necessary.
MVP said the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 and New York State Law prohibits them from discussing the case.
The American Medical Association recommends insurance coverage for sex reassignment. But only a small number of companies actually provide it.
