Medical & mental health care for gender-expansive students
Cornell Health provides medical and mental health services and support for students who are transgender, gender-expansive, non-binary, questioning their gender identity, and/or considering hormonal or surgical gender transition. Our services are guided and informed by best practices developed by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH).
About our gender-affirming services
Our providers who specialize in transgender care can provide…
- medical care for the initiation and management of gender-affirming hormones
- prescriptions for gender-affirming hormones and syringes that can be filled at Cornell Health's pharmacy (or elsewhere)
- referrals to surgeons who specialize in gender-affirming surgical procedures
- pre-operative testing and post-operative care (i.e., bandage changing/application)
- official letters to support gender-affirming surgery and to document gender marker changes (e.g., for passports, drivers licenses, etc.)
- binding and tucking supplies available for no charge in the Cornell Health pharmacy (see Does Cornell have a binder / tucking supplies program? below)
- individual counseling with therapists who specialize in serving gender-expansive students (learn more about individual counseling)
- group counseling on topics related to gender identity and exploration, with some groups especially for LGBTQ+ students (learn more about group counseling)
- workshops and outreach programs to support gender-expansive students (request a program)
*See our Frequently Asked Questions below for more details.*
Establishing care at Cornell Health
We recommend scheduling an initial appointment with a Cornell Health provider on our Gender Services team who specializes in providing gender-affirming care. At your appointment, you will have the opportunity to discuss your needs, including physical care, emotional and social well-being, and any questions or concerns you may have.
- Medical services are provided under the direction of Beth Kutler, NP, Assistant Director of Medical Services, Rachel Clark, FNP, Clinical Director of Women's and Sexual Health, George Lee, MD, Physician, and Amy Alvaro-Hamilton, PA, Physician Assistant.
- Mental health services are provided under the direction of Karen Williams, PhD, Mental Health Therapist.
How to schedule an appointment
Medical appointments
To schedule a medical appointment for gender-affirming care ...
- By phone:
- Call 607-255-5155 during business hours, and select option 1 to schedule an appointment.
- Let the scheduler know you are calling to schedule a Gender Services appointment.
- You will be given the option to schedule an in-person or telehealth appointment.
- The scheduler will not ask you questions about why you want an appointment. Any information needed to conduct your visit will be collected through a confidential questionnaire you’ll receive through myCornellHealth (Cornell Health’s patient portal) prior to your visit.
- Online:
- Log in to myCornellHealth from Cornell Health’s website using your CU NetID & password.
- Click “Appointments,” indicate your student status, then select “Primary Care (medical clinician or nurse) appointment,” and then “I need gender-affirming care.”
- You will be given the option to schedule an in-person or telehealth appointment.
Mental health appointments
To schedule a mental health appointment with a counselor who specializes in serving gender-expansive students ...
- By phone:
- Call 607-255-5155 during business hours, and select option 1 to schedule an appointment.
- Let the scheduler know you are calling to schedule a “CAPS Access Appointment” (a free 25-minute appointment, which is the first step to connecting with CAPS services).
- During your appointment, you can speak with the Access Counselor about your mental health concerns and can request counseling with a provider who specializes in serving gender-expansive students.
- Online:
- Log in to myCornellHealth from Cornell Health’s website using your CU NetID & password.
- Click “Appointments,” indicate your student status, then follow the prompts to schedule an Access Appointment (a free 25-minute appointment, which is the first step to connecting with CAPS services).
- During your appointment, you can speak with the Access Counselor about your mental health concerns and can request counseling with a provider who specializes in serving gender-expansive students.
Frequently asked questions
What should I expect during my gender-affirming services appointment?
Cornell Health’s services are guided and informed by best practices developed by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH).
All Cornell Health providers and staff members receive basic training about working with gender-expansive students, and should use your chosen name and affirmed pronouns (if you have updated that information in myCornellHealth or you share it during your visit).
Providers on Cornell Health’s Gender Services team specialize in providing gender-affirming services, and will partner with you and take a sensitive and trauma-informed approach to your care.
As a patient or client of Cornell Health, you have the right to request the health care provider of your choice, ask questions and participate in decisions about your care, and to speak with a Patient Advocate if you need support related to the care you receive. You can also have one supporting visitor of your choice (any gender) accompany you when accessing Cornell Health’s services, including during clinical exams and consultations. Learn more about your Patient Rights.
Is my care at Cornell Health confidential?
Your care at Cornell Health is confidential. Health care records are completely separate from all other university records. Your information cannot be shared with anyone without your written permission, except if required by law or if necessary to protect you or others from a threat to health or safety. (Learn more by visiting our Confidentiality & Patient Rights page.)
- Cornell Health Bursar charges: Cornell Health visit and pharmacy costs are automatically applied to your Bursar account (unless you request to pay another way). Charges will appear as “Cornell Health services” on your Bursar bill and will not include any information about the type of service you received, or any personal health information.
- Charges billed to your insurance: Cornell Health bills students’ insurance plans as the primary payer for medical services. Your insurance plan’s explanation of benefits (EOB) statement will contain some brief information about your visit, including a “diagnostic code” that is required by insurance companies. For students who are on a parent’s or guardian’s insurance plan, the policyholder (parent/guardian) is the EOB recipient and may see that information. (SHP members: You are the primary policyholder for your plan and the sole recipient of your EOBs.) If you have concerns about the privacy of your EOB, refer to the FAQs on our Insurance & Billing page for guidance.
Can Cornell Health provide me with gender-affirming hormone treatment?
Yes, Cornell Health works under an informed consent model. You can work with a medical provider who specializes in transgender care to evaluate your individual needs, discuss treatment options, and access gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) if appropriate. Our providers can also work with your home health care provider to continue care that you may have established elsewhere. Learn more about ...
How much does gender-affirming care cost at Cornell Health?
Most appointments at Cornell Health – including gender-affirming medical appointments – have a $10 charge. CAPS Access Appointments (the first step to connecting with CAPS services) and group counseling sessions have no charge; individual counseling appointments have a $10 charge.
Specialty lab tests that require being sent to an outside lab will be billed to your insurance and may have an additional charge. Pharmacy prescription costs will depend on your insurance (check your plan for coverage and copays).
Learn more about cost for care at Cornell Health.
Students can access free tucking and binding supplies through the Cornell Health Pharmacy (see more below).
Will my insurance cover gender-affirming care?
If you’re on Cornell’s Student Health Plan (SHP), most gender-affirming hormonal and surgical services are covered by your plan. See this SHP (Aetna) information for more detail.
If you’re on a Cornell employee endowed health plan, hormone therapy and certain medical procedures related to gender identity confirmation procedures are covered. The Aetna Clinical Policy Bulletin #0615 guides the medically necessary treatment protocol; treatments that are considered cosmetic in nature are not covered. The Empire Health Plan, however, does not offer gender confirmation surgery and several other therapeutic treatments. Please contact Human Resources for more details about employee plans. (NOTE: We do not provide transgender services for employees; however, students who are the children or spouse/partner of a Cornell employee may be covered by an employee plan.)
For students on other insurance plans, you should check your plan for details. Please note that many health insurance plans provide very limited coverage for gender-affirming hormone therapy and surgical procedures.
Important: For students initiating hormone therapy, your prescription may need to be pre-approved by your insurance before it will be covered, which may take some time.
How do I update my chosen (affirmed) name, gender, and pronouns with Cornell Health?
Updating your Cornell Health information to reflect your affirmed name, gender, and pronouns is easy!
1. Log in to myCornellHealth using your Cornell NetID and password.
2. Click on "Profile" in the menu.
3. Click on the relevant "Edit" buttons to update your chosen name, your gender identity, and your pronouns.
Please note that taking these steps will only change your name in myCornellHealth, which is accessible to Cornell Health's medical, mental health, and support staff.
It will not change your name elsewhere at Cornell ... including some external systems used by Cornell Health's Pharmacy and Lab. Those systems will use your legal name on file. (See information below about changing your legal name.)
How do I update my name in all university systems, or get help legally changing my name?
To change your chosen name in all university systems, you must update your "preferred first name" in Student Essentials. Detailed instructions are available on the Registrar's website. The LGBT Resource Center's Trans Resources at Cornell provides additional information about updating your name, pronouns, and gender marker.
If you are interested in legally changing your name, the Cornell Law School provides free legal assistance to help LGBTQ+ people with name changes and other legal needs.
Where can I pick up my prescriptions?
All prescriptions can be filled at the Cornell Health Pharmacy. Syringes, sharps disposal containers, and alcohol swabs are also available at the pharmacy. If you prefer, you can also request that our pharmacy staff send your prescription to another pharmacy of your choice.
How do I handle disposal of my sharps?
You have two options for sharps disposal at Cornell. You can collect your sharps and dispose of them through a local program, or you can purchase a sharps container from the pharmacy at Cornell Health. You may return full sharps containers to our pharmacy for safe disposal, at no charge.
Does Cornell Health have a binder / tucking supplies program?
Yes! Students can get high-quality chest binders, tucking underwear, and transtape at the Cornell Health Pharmacy for no charge.
Each semester, students studying on the Ithaca campus can order (a) two chest binders or (b) two pairs of tucking underwear or (c) a transtape option (starter kit or two rolls) at no charge. (If you want additional items, please check with pharmacy staff for current pricing.)
Chest binder options:
Tucking underwear options:
Transtape options:
How to order:
- Order online by logging in to mycornellhealth, and selecting "Pharmacy Requests," "New Message," "Send a message to the Pharmacy." In your message, indicate what product, brand, size, and color (etc.) you would like.
- Or you may go into the pharmacy and fill out an order form and give it to one of our pharmacy staff members. Order forms are located with our sexual health supplies.
We will contact you by secure message when your supplies are ready for pickup.
Help with sizing & options:
If you need help taking measurements, or would like to see samples, please send the pharmacy a secure message through myCornellHealth (see above). For those ordering gc2b binders, this helpful video can help with sizing.
Additional binding / tucking / taping resources:
Our Gender Services providers recommend the following resources:
- Tips for Safer Binding (from LGBTQ+ healthcare provider Callen-Lorde)
- Tips for Safer Tucking (from LGBTQ+ healthcare provider Callen-Lorde)
- Transtape application instructions (from Transtape)
What counseling services are available at Cornell Health?
Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) offers individual counseling and group counseling related to gender identity, as well as Let's Talk drop-in consultation and other support.
Cornell Health counselors can also help you secure an official gender dysphoria / gender identity disorder (GID) diagnosis, and provide letters required to initiate gender-affirming surgeries.
What peer support and other campus resources are available?
Cornell's LGBT Resource Center is an excellent resource for personal consultation and information about services, programs, events, and support groups.
Be sure to review their Trans Resources at Cornell webpage for comprehensive information to support transgender and non-binary students at Cornell.