New Online Tool Connects UPMC Health Plan Members with Providers Trained to Serve the Unique Needs of LGBTQIA+ Populations

Pittsburgh (Dec. 18, 2023) – UPMC Health Plan announced today that it has expanded its efforts to connect its LGBTQIA+ members with appropriately trained health care providers by launching a new LGBTQIA+ Affirming Provider designation within its online provider directory.

"This new, easy-to-use resource will provide our LGTBQIA+ members with additional confidence that UPMC Health Plan's network includes providers who understand the unique health care needs of our LGTBQIA+ members," said Kim Zynn, Vice President, National Network Development and Strategic Expansion, UPMC Health Plan. "The training and designation process reflects much collaboration among our own providers, UPMC Health Plan clinical and Member Services leaders, and external, national experts with experience in affirming health care."

A new LGBTQIA+ Affirming Provider search filter and icon allows health care providers to identify as having completed special training on how to validate LGBTQIA+ patients’ experiences and create a safe, supportive environment for them.

UPMC Health Plan members can find providers who have earned the LGBTQIA+ Affirming Provider designation in the Find Care provider directory on upmchealthplan.com. Members can also find these providers in the Find a Doctor directory on upmc.com

UPMC Health Plan established the LGBTQIA+ Affirming Provider designation to support improved health care experiences for LGBTQIA+ patients. Individuals in the LGBTQIA+ community often experience discrimination and marginalization in their daily lives—even from their health care providers. These experiences are extremely stressful and can lead to increased risk behaviors, health challenges, and health care avoidance.

"Launching our new LGBTQIA+ Affirming Provider designation directory underscores UPMC Health Plan's commitment to health equity. UPMC Health Plan seeks to remove barriers to care that our members face and seeks to facilitate improved access to care that is informed by members themselves," said Janine Jelks-Seale, Director, Health Equity, UPMC Health Plan.

LGBTQIA+ Affirming Providers earn the designation by completing online training modules and the LGBTQIA+ Affirming Provider designation attestation. The training modules were developed with the National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center (a program of the Fenway Institute), which focuses on interdisciplinary center research, training, education, and policy development with a focus on national and international health issues—especially related to LGBTQIA+ communities. The training content was further informed by LGBTQIA+ focus groups, known provider champions, and needs identified by the UPMC Health Plan LGBTQIA+ Member Services team.

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About UPMC Insurance Services

UPMC Insurance Services serves nearly 4.5 million members and is owned and operated by UPMC, a world-renowned health care provider and insurer in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. UPMC Insurance Services provides commercial products through UPMC Health Plan for both groups and individuals. Its commercial products also include workers' compensation and employee assistance from nationally known Workpartners^®. Government products include Medicare Advantage plans (UPMC for Life); special needs plans for those who are eligible for Medicare and Medical Assistance (UPMC for Life Complete Care and UPMC Community HealthChoices); a Medical Assistance plan (UPMC for You); and Children's Health Insurance Program plans (UPMC for Kids). Community Care Behavioral Health Organization—one of the nation's largest nonprofit managed care behavioral health organizations—is also part of the Insurance Services Division. Community Care offers a full range of services to commercial and Medical Assistance members. For more information, visit upmchealthplan.com.