At Medical Services, we strive to offer comprehensive and affirming care, with medical providers who have experience with and a passion for addressing the specific needs of our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and other sexual and gender minorities and questioning patients.
All of our providers are trained in providing care that is free from discrimination and effectively addresses individual health risks, needs and concerns.
Services
Medical Services offers a variety of LGBTQIA+ health care services and options for students.
Identity-affirming care
We understand that LGBTQIA+ students are part of a diverse community of individuals with varied experiences, health concerns and access to resources.
We strive to provide comprehensive and affirming care, with medical providers who have experience with and a passion for addressing the specific needs of our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and other sexual and gender minorities and questioning patients.
Preferred name and pronouns
Patients can include a preferred name on their medical record as well as designate their gender as transgender. Please share this information with your provider to ensure your record is up-to-date. We also encourage patients to share their pronouns with our health care staff during their visit.
If you've changed your legal name and would like to ensure it's updated in our system, please visit our Billing Office in Wardenburg Health Center or call 303-492-4196.
HIV Prevention
Our clinic offers Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention. If you are interested in PrEP counseling, prescription initiation and ongoing maintenance, please call 303-492-5432.
Identity-affirming hormone therapy
If you are interested in starting or continuing gender affirming hormone therapy, please call 303-492-5432 to schedule a consultation appointment. Our providers are trained in and use the current World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) standards of care to initiate and manage hormone replacement therapy.
Identity-affirming surgical options
The CU Gold Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) provides unlimited surgical benefits. For referral letters to a surgeon (your surgeon may or may not require such a letter), please schedule an appointment to meet with a Medical Services provider.
If your surgeon requires two letters, you can also schedule an appointment to meet with a Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) provider.
If you work with an out-of-state surgeon, the LGBTQIA+ Care Team can provide post-surgical care upon your return.
Insurance and billing support
All students can access Medical Services regardless of health insurance coverage. You can use your own private health insurance plan (with or without BuffCare) or your CU Gold Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). Out-of-pocket costs may vary based on insurance benefits and the type of visit.
Our Student Health Insurance and Referrals team can also assist you in reviewing your Gold SHIP benefits and answering questions related to insurance coverage or billing. For more information or to schedule a private in-person or phone conversation, please contact our Student Health Insurance and Referrals team at 303-492-5107.
2023-2024 CU Gold SHIP Gender Affirming Benefits
Financial support services
Health and Wellness Services provides financial assistance to students through our Medical Expense Assistance Fund (MEAF). This program is designed to provide assistance to students who are unable to pay medical- or prescription-related expenses. Applications for financial support open every July and remain open until funds are exhausted.
Privacy
If you are over 18, your medical records are not accessible to others unless you sign a release of information. Please note that if you are on an insurance plan under a family member, some codes and charges may be present on the explanation of benefits (EOB) that is submitted to the policy owner. You can discuss this with your insurance plan or with our Student Health Insurance and Referrals team.
Additional campus resources
Health and Wellness Services and campus partners provide additional LGBTQIA+ resources and services.
Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS)
CAPS has a staff of specialized mental health providers who have experience addressing the specific needs of our LGBTQIA+ students. Counselors are trained in providing confidential and personalized care, including letters of support and other documentation required for transition, including hormone therapy and surgery.
Transgender and Gender Creative therapy group
The Transgender and Gender Creative therapy group welcomes CU students of all ages and backgrounds who identify as cross-gendered, transgender, gender variant and gender queer. This group will focus on encouraging individuals toward personal development, creating and utilizing workable coping skills and providing acceptance of each person’s unique journey.
Let's Talk Sex and Gender Hour
The Sex and Gender Hour is a Let's Talk session that offers a free consultation with CAPS clinician, Olivia Shay, MSW. This space is for individuals who are exploring their relationship with sex, sexuality, and gender.
Office of Victim Assistance (OVA)
OVA provides free and confidential support, advocacy, and short-term counseling to students who have experienced a traumatic, disturbing or life disruptive event. OVA is skilled in working with LGBTQIA+-specific needs.
Recreation Center
Recreation Services oversees Inclusive Recreation, which aims to create a safe, welcoming, inclusive and open environment, while providing equitable and accessible opportunities for all. This program area provides free inclusive activities and events, adaptive equipment and support for students.
The Rec Center also has all-gender locker rooms available to provide privacy and create a more comfortable environment for anyone who prefers to use a non-gender-specific restroom or locker room. As a part of our Inclusive Rec program, we strive to create spaces and environments where people are able to use our facilities without barriers.
Learn more about Inclusive Recreation
Center for Inclusion and Social Change (CISC)
CISC offers students opportunities to build community, develop leadership skills and discover valuable campus resources. They can also help students navigate university policies around preferred names and gender markers.
If you have questions or are interested in getting involved with CISC, please contact Morgan Seamont at 303-492-7218 or seamont@colorado.edu.
Pride Office
The CU Pride Office creates programming and spaces where LGBTQIA+ students, staff and faculty can come together to create a community where they feel safe, supported and able to find connections with others who identify in similar ways.
Learn more about the Pride Office
Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic (SLHC)
CU’s Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic (SLHC) offers voice training for trans individuals. While this program is not covered by CU Gold Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP), it is available on a sliding-scale and has been very successful. You do not need to be receiving hormone therapy to utilize their services. For more information, call 303-492-3066.
Gender-inclusive restrooms
Gender-inclusive and gender neutral restrooms are available across campus, including at Wardenburg Health Center, the Recreation Center and the Center for Community (C4C). View a map with all gender-inclusive and gender neutral restrooms:
In its 15th year, the Healthcare Equality Index (HEI) is the national LGBTQ+ benchmarking tool that evaluates healthcare facilities' policies and practices related to the equity and inclusion of their LGBTQ+ patients, visitors and employees. The HEI 2022 evaluates more than 2,200 healthcare facilities nationwide. Learn more about the HEI 2022.