Health care for trans people

In New York you can get gender-affirming care without insurance or papers. Places differ by age, price and how to book.

1. Choose a place

   With no money at all: Q Clinic (free) or Callen-Lorde (by income). City hospitals with the Pride Health Services program give hormones and surgery referrals whatever your status. Planned Parenthood gives hormones at all its centers.

2. Book a visit

   At Callen-Lorde, book on the website (new patients: the Schedule Your First Appointment button at callen-lorde.org/faq), do the e-check-in and arrive 30 minutes early. Bring photo ID and your insurance card; if you don't have them, ask the clinic what to do. Callen-Lorde provides a Russian interpreter on request. At Q Clinic, book by text at 347-565-5042 or by email at qclinic@columbia.edu; you can also walk in on a Wednesday, but a provider may not be free.

3. Ask how starting therapy works

   Planned Parenthood uses informed consent: the doctor explains the benefits and risks, and you decide. You often get a prescription the same day, depending on the center.

4. Ask about payment before the visit

   If you have Medicaid, the Essential Plan or other insurance, show it. If not, ask about the sliding scale. You can apply for insurance yourself at nystateofhealth.ny.gov or with a free counselor: text CoveredNYC to 55676.

5. If you need surgery or referrals

   Pride Health Services doctors give referrals for surgery; some surgeries are done at the program's own hospitals.

• Callen-Lorde

  Any statusPrice depends on income

  A clinic for LGBTQ+ people: hormone therapy, primary care, breast health, gynecological exams, HIV and STI testing, PrEP and PEP, harm reduction and care coordination (insurance, benefits, housing search). Fees by income, nothing paid before the visit. Interpreters at every site, Russian included. They take Medicaid, the Essential Plan and many other plans, but not NYC Care. Call and say "Russian": a Russian interpreter is provided on request.

  (212) 271-7200 (Chelsea), (718) 215-1818 (Brooklyn), (718) 215-1800 (Bronx); care coordination (646) 965-5463callen-lorde.org356 West 18th St, New York, NY 10011 (Chelsea); 40 Flatbush Ave Ext, 3rd Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201; 555 Bergen Ave, 4th Floor, Bronx, NY 10455

• Q Clinic (Columbia University)

  Any statusFree

  A free clinic of Columbia University medical students: hormone therapy, most primary care, free or low-cost tests and medicines. No ID, insurance or payment needed. It does not issue disability letters. Wednesdays 6:30–7:45 pm at the Metropolitan Community Church of New York, third floor, no elevator; Zoom visits available. To book, text or call 347-565-5042 (Mon–Fri 9 am–5 pm) or email qclinic@columbia.edu. You can also walk in, but a provider may not be free.

  vagelos.columbia.edu446 West 36th Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NYWed 6:30–7:45 pm

• Planned Parenthood of Greater New York

  Any statusPrice depends on income

  Hormone therapy at every center on informed consent, whatever your age, orientation, gender identity, status or money. Some centers give hormones to 16- and 17-year-olds with a parent present. Without insurance you have the right to a written estimate (Good Faith Estimate); if the bill is $400 or more above it, you can dispute it. You can book online.

  plannedparenthood.org

A program of the City hospitals NYC Health + Hospitals (H+H): primary care including hormone therapy and surgery referrals, mental health care, PrEP, PEP, HIV and STI care, help getting insurance. Whatever your status, with interpreters: on any of these phone lines, say "Russian" and a free interpreter joins. The program's email: LGBTQ@nychhc.org.

General information from The Legal Aid Society as of October 28, 2026, not legal advice.

1. Find out what New York State Medicaid covers

   Medicaid covers hormone therapy (puberty blockers included), surgery and other procedures. You need a diagnosis of gender dysphoria (the medical term insurance uses for coverage) and a doctor's statement that the treatment is medically necessary. Coverage for people under 18 stays the same despite federal changes. The state has two kinds of Medicaid, fee for service and managed care, and how you ask may depend on which you have.

2. Collect the documents for hormones

   At 18 and older you need a doctor's document that the therapy is necessary. At 16–17, a doctor confirms that you qualify and are ready, understand the results, risks and benefits, and have psychological and social support. Under 16, the same plus the insurer's prior approval. For puberty blockers, the doctor also confirms Tanner Stage II of puberty.

3. Collect the letters for surgery

   Surgery is usually covered from age 18; under 18 only in some cases and with prior approval. You need letters from two New York State licensed professionals: one from a psychiatrist, psychologist, psychiatric nurse practitioner or clinical social worker who has known you a long time; the other from another such professional or a doctor who examined you. The letters must say: your gender dysphoria is persistent; you have had at least a year of hormone therapy (for all genital surgery, where clinically appropriate); you have lived at least a year in your gender role and received psychological care; other conditions are under control; you can give informed consent. Chest removal does not require hormones. Other surgery, such as facial surgery or breast augmentation, needs the same letters and prior approval; breast augmentation needs at least two years of hormones with little breast growth.

4. If insurance says no, appeal

   You can appeal a denial, but time limits apply, so don't wait and keep every letter and paper. Community Health Advocates help with denials and insurance bills for free: cha@cssny.org or (888) 614-5400, option 3 (say "Russian" and ask for an interpreter). For benefits, the legal nonprofit Legal Services NYC helps for free: 917-661-4500, weekdays 9:30 am–4 pm, press 3 for Russian.

• Callen-Lorde, HOTT Adolescent Health

  Under 25Free

  A program for LGBTQ+ and other people aged 13 to 24 who need care: free or low-cost, insurance accepted. New patients up to age 21, seen until their 24th birthday. Walk in at Chelsea: Mon–Thu 10 am–5 pm, Fri 10 am–3 pm. Program phone: (212) 271-7212; say "Russian", an interpreter is provided on request.

  (212) 271-7212callen-lorde.org356 West 18th St, New York, NY 10011Mon–Thu 10 am–5 pm, Fri 10 am–3 pm, walk-in

• NYC Health + Hospitals, Pride Health Services for children and teenagers

  Under 25Free

  Jacobi, Metropolitan and Elmhurst see all ages, Judson from 11, the other sites from 18. Puberty blockers are prescribed at Elmhurst, Jacobi, Judson and Metropolitan.

  hhinternet.blob.core.windows.net

The list is on its own page: "Doctors and clinics: our members' experience". QARAVAN has not checked licenses or the accuracy of these reviews.