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LGBTQ You and Your Doctor Hero Apr 2021

You and Your Doctor

You deserve the best possible care. Being open with your doctor is key to getting it.

Doctors need to have a full picture of their patients’ lives so they can help anticipate any issues that may impact their health, including aspects of their personal life and relationships. Coming out is always a personal choice and we understand it may not be easy to share this information with your doctor. After having faced rejection, harassment and other discrimination over the years, many LGBTQ+ seniors want to avoid sharing such personal information as sexual orientation and gender identity. But doing so will lead to more personalized and better care. Here’s why:

  • You and your doctor can come up with a care plan tailored to your specific health needs.
  • Your doctor will know what’s important to you and be able to communicate in a way that respects you.
  • You’ll have a safe place to talk about all your health concerns, meaning you’re more likely to stay up-to-date on your care.

Coming out to your doctor

A little planning can help make this discussion easier. These tips can help:

  • Write down the topics and questions you want to cover during your visit. For example, you might want to let the doctor know the pronouns you identify with and would like used when referring to you or a partner.
  • Decide when and where you’d be more comfortable having this conversation. Before you’ve changed into an examination gown, for example, or in a separate appointment scheduled solely for this purpose. (A good tip for any discussion you may be worried about.)
  • Consider bringing a partner, close friend or trusted family member to the appointment. Not only can they provide moral support, they can also serve as a second set of ears to help remember everything that was discussed.

For more information, check out these resources:

If your doctor is not meeting your needs

Finding a doctor you trust and feel comfortable with can take some trial and error. Know that with SCAN, you can change doctors at any time and for any reason. And if you are looking for a new doctor, keep in mind that doctors who are vetted through a specialized process in partnership with Included Health are identified as LGBTQ+ Affirming on SCAN’s Find a Doctor search tool.

Log into your SCAN online member account

OR

Call SCAN Member Services

(800) 559-3500 TTY: 711

Important: If you feel that you've been denied necessary care, received poor care or been otherwise discriminated against by a doctor or other healthcare provider because of your sexual orientation or gender identity, we want to know. Please call SCAN Member Services.

For more on your rights as a patient:

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