Reporting Medical Provider Discrimination

Medical Discrimination Fact Sheet

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Know your rights

• Medical providers and facilities cannot discriminate on the basis of transgender status. The New York City and State Human Rights Laws and the federal Affordable Care Act prohibit discrimination against transgender people under the categories of sex/gender, gender identity/transgender status, and disability. It is illegal for you to be harassed or denied treatment because of being transgender.
• You have the right to be addressed by your preferred name and pronoun. The NYC Commission on Human Rights has issued Guidelines Regarding Gender Identity Discrimination that state, for example: “individuals should be addressed with names, titles, pronouns, and other terms appropriate to their gender identity” regardless of whether you have had a legal name change.
• You have the right to be housed according to your affirmed gender. Under the NYC Guidelines, “not allowing individuals to use a restroom or other sex-segregated facility consistent with their gender identity or gender expression” is evidence of discrimination. Similar protections can be asserted under the State Human Rights Law and the Affordable Care Act.

What to do if you experience discrimination

1. Take notes. Document the date, time, place, what happened, and who was there. Get names of perpetrators and witnesses (including contact information), if possible.
2. Report each incident to the appropriate staff. Ask to speak to a supervisor if necessary.
3. If the discrimination is memorialized in any writing (letters, e-mails, etc.), obtain a copy.
4. File complaints and retain copies. If you have experienced discrimination from a medical provider or facility because you are transgender you can file a complaint and have this discrimination addressed. Be aware that there are deadlines to file complaints.

Where to file a complaint

Each agency below enforces a different law or policy, so you can file with multiple agencies. If you think you want to file a lawsuit, consult with an attorney before filing a complaint.

Many of these agencies have explicitly requested to receive complaints from transgender individuals. It is extremely important to file complaints so that the entity is on notice that there is a problem. Even if you do not feel your case has been adequately addressed, having a record of complaints will be helpful for future individuals by establishing that there is a pattern of unresolved discrimination.

• Doctor’s office. File a written complaint with the provider.
• Hospital or medical facility. Often they have a “patient advocate” or ombudsperson who is charged with receiving complaints. Their contact information can be found by looking on the hospital’s website or calling the hospital and asking how to file a complaint.
• NYC Commission on Human Rights. New York City’s Human Rights Law prohibits transgender discrimination in public accommodations under the categories of gender and disability. If the incident took place in New York City, you have 1 year from the incident to file with the Commission or 3 years to file a lawsuit. To file a complaint, call 311 or (718) 722-3131.
• For facilities owned by New York City, such as HHC hospitals, you can also contact:
  • NYC Office of the Public Advocate (212) 669-7250 Constituent Help Desk
  • Your City Council Representative Council Member finder
• New York State Division on Human Rights. New York State’s Human Rights Law protects transgender people in public accommodation under the categories of sex and disability. You have 1 year to file a complaint with the Division or 3 years to file a lawsuit. 1-888-392-3644
• New York State Attorney General. Accepts civil rights complaints for public and private facilities, and has been proactive on transgender issues.
• New York State Department of Health - Office of Professional Medical Conduct. Physicians, physician assistants or specialist assistants. 1-800-663-6114 File a Complaint
• New York State Education Department - Office of the Professions. Dentists, nurses, midwives, mental health professionals, social workers, massage therapists, chiropractors, acupuncturists, pharmacists, etc. Complaint Hotline 1-800-442-8106 Complaint Form
• New York State Department of Health. Hospitals and diagnostic and treatment centers. 1-800-804-5447 Health Facility Complaint Form
• Joint Commission. The Joint Commission is an independent body that accredits hospitals and has a policy of nondiscrimination that includes transgender status. 1-800-994-6610 Report an event
• New York State Office of Mental Health's (OMH). Mental health facilities. 1-800-597-8481 Office of Quality Management
• Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS). Substance abuse treatment. 1-800-553-5790 Treatment Availability Dashboard
• Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs. Has jurisdiction over abuse--including verbal abuse--in substance use treatment facilities, mental health facilities, Office of Children and Family Services programs, Office for People With Developmental Disabilities programs and adult care facilities. 1-855-373-2122
• Federal Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Civil Rights. The Affordable Care Act prohibits transgender discrimination (under the categories of sex and disability) by most medical providers and facilities. You have 180 days from the incident to file a complaint.
• Nursing home, board and care home, or assisted living facility. File a complaint with HHS OCR or contact your local long-term care ombudsman.
• HIPAA complaints. If your trans status or other private health information has been improperly publicized by a medical provider or insurance company, you can file a complaint with the federal Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights. You must file within 180 days of the violation.

Updated on Jul 5, 2022

Medical Discrimination Fact Sheet

Download PDF

Know your rights

Medical providers and facilities cannot discriminate on the basis of transgender status. Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act prohibits discrimination based on sex and disability, which includes gender identity, transgender status, or sex stereotypes. This applies to hospitals and health programs and facilities receiving federal funding. It also prohibits the majority of health insurance companies and providers from refusing to cover transgender-related treatments or refusing to treat you consistently with your affirmed gender.

• You have the right to be addressed by your preferred name and pronoun.
• You have the right to be housed according to your affirmed gender.
• You have the right to be treated for gender dysphoria.

What to do if you experience discrimination

1. Take notes. Document the date, time, place, what happened, and who was there. Get names of perpetrators and witnesses (including contact information), if possible.
2. Report each incident to the appropriate staff. Ask to speak to a supervisor if necessary.
3. If the discrimination is memorialized in any writing (letters, e-mails, etc.), obtain a copy.
4. File complaints and retain copies. If you have experienced discrimination from a medical provider or facility because you are transgender you can file a complaint and have this discrimination addressed. Be aware that there are deadlines to file complaints.

Where to file a complaint

If you think you want to file a lawsuit, consult with an attorney before filing a complaint. Many of these agencies have explicitly requested to receive complaints from transgender individuals. It is extremely important to file complaints so that the entity is on notice that there is a problem. Even if you do not feel your case has been adequately addressed, having a record of complaints will be helpful for future individuals by establishing that there is a pattern of unresolved discrimination.

• Doctor’s office. File a written complaint with the provider.
• Hospital or medical facility. Often they have a “patient advocate” or ombudsman who is charged with receiving complaints. Their contact information can be found by looking on the hospital’s website or calling the hospital and asking how to file a complaint.
• Physicians, physician assistants or specialist assistants. You can file a complaint with your state’s health department or licensing board. Google “doctor complaint (your state)” to find the complaint form for your state.
• Dentists, nurses, midwives, mental health professionals, social workers, massage therapists, chiropractors, acupuncturists, pharmacists, etc. File a complaint with the licensing agency for your state, and for dentists you can also file a complaint with the American Dental Association.
• Joint Commission. The Joint Commission is an independent body that accredits hospitals and has a policy of nondiscrimination that includes transgender status. 1-800-994-6610 Report an event
• Federal Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Civil Rights. The Affordable Care Act prohibits transgender discrimination (under the categories of sex and disability) by most medical providers and facilities. You have 180 days from the incident to file a complaint.
• Nursing home, board and care home, or assisted living facility. File a complaint with HHS OCR or contact your local long-term care ombudsman.
• HIPAA complaints. If your trans status or other private health information has been improperly publicized by a medical provider or insurance company, you can file a complaint with the federal Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights. You must file within 180 days of the violation.
• State and Local Non-Discrimination Laws. State and local non-discrimination laws prohibit can health care discrimination against transgender people in many circumstances. You may be able to file a complaint with your state’s nondiscrimination enforcement agency. There are deadlines to file such complaints, so contact your local agency for more information.

Updated on Jun 4, 2020