State Farm and Included Health address LGBTQ healthcare disparities

Included Health is paving a way for more inclusive healthcare benefits, one employer-partnership at a time.

The concierge healthcare provider recently announced a new partnership with national insurance company State Farm. State Farm LGBTQ employees, agents and their families now have access to Included Health’s dedicated care coordinators that assists employees in finding supportive healthcare providers and navigating challenges in the healthcare system.

"Too often our health depends on our ability to self-advocate, to read between the lines and work around a system that makes LGBTQ people feel disregarded," said Colin Quinn, co-founder and CEO of Included Health, in a release. "It is exhausting to find quality, competent care.”

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The new announcement expands Included Health’s network of clients, after it launched a similar partnership with LGBTQ dating dating app, Grindr. The company has continuously made efforts to better support queer employees in finding culturally competent coverage —whether it be for procedures such as gender-affirming surgery or even simply finding a doctor that celebrates a patient’s decision to use PrEP, an antiviral medication most often used as a preventative measure against HIV/AIDS.

Now State Farm employees will receive the same support.

"At State Farm we are committed to providing an inclusive workplace where everyone feels safe, welcome and supported,” Michael Trout, vice president of human resources and development at State Farm, said in a release. “Through our collaboration with Included Health, we're able to help our LGBTQ community get high-quality, hassle-free healthcare that everyone deserves.”

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More than 40% of the LGBTQ community reported they have experienced discrimination by a healthcare provider, which has turn led to mistrust and an avoidance of care — LGBTQ people are 2-3 times more likely to avoid care than straight and cisgendered people, according to the press release. Included Health is focused on making the healthcare system work better for the LGBTQ community and their loved ones.

“We use our expertise to help our community navigate a healthcare system that wasn't designed with our bodies or lives in mind," Included Health’s Quinn said.