How to Find an LGBTQ+-Affirming Doctor on Medicare

Finding a primary care doctor is hard enough at any age, and for LGBTQ+ older adults, the search adds layers most doctors and websites never mention. A 2023 Kaiser Family Foundation survey found that one in three LGBTQ+ adults over 65 had a doctor refuse to treat them, deny their identity, or make hurtful comments. Many older queer and trans patients have at least one story of a doctor who did not understand their relationship, refused to recognize their spouse at the hospital, made wrong assumptions about their sex life, or asked invasive questions that had nothing to do with the appointment. These experiences can lead people to skip checkups, hide medications, or stop going to the doctor altogether, which makes serious illnesses worse over time.

The good news is that finding an affirming doctor is much more possible than it was even ten years ago. Major medical schools now teach LGBTQ+ health, several professional directories list trained providers, and Medicare itself does not discriminate against LGBTQ+ patients in any way. You are entitled to the same coverage and the same choice of doctors as anyone else. Whether you are on Original Medicare (Parts A and B) or a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C), you can pick any doctor who accepts Medicare and is taking new patients. You do not need permission from your plan to choose an LGBTQ+-friendly doctor. And you do not have to settle for a doctor who makes you uncomfortable. Switching doctors at any time is your right.

This guide walks through the free directories that list affirming doctors, the questions to ask before your first visit, the right way to update your medical records to reflect your identity and chosen name, and what to do if a doctor crosses a line. You can use these steps to find a new primary care doctor, a specialist (cardiologist, oncologist, endocrinologist), or a mental health provider. The same approach works for finding a dentist, a physical therapist, or any other healthcare professional.

A quick note on terms used in this guide. "Affirming" means a provider who supports who you are without judgment or condition. "Cultural competency" means a provider who has been trained in the specific health concerns of LGBTQ+ patients, including older patients with complex histories. "Trauma-informed" means a provider who understands that many older queer and trans people lived through medical trauma, including conversion therapy, forced hospitalization, AIDS-era stigma, and gender-affirming care denial. All three matter, and the directories and questions below help you find providers who check all three boxes.