How Healthcare Can Provide Equitable Access for the LGBTQIA+ Community

According to LinkedIn survey data, nearly 60% of LGBTQ+ professionals wish their company did more to support the LGBTQIA+ community. 

Providing nation-wide equitable access to care may require changes on the federal level, but employers, providers, and healthcare companies alike can still do their part. How? 

The EHE Health Approach  

At EHE Health, we take pride in how our mission strives for welcoming, high-quality, stigma-free care for all. The EHE Health approach breaks down barriers that have been historically placed in front of the LGBTQIA+ community by: 

1. Using a whole-person approach to health to address all physical, mental, and emotional challenges. We take a holistic approach to health to look at every part of the individual. That means receiving all recommended health screenings, a personal Health Coach, and additional resources throughout the year. 
2. Offering prevention for everyone given access through their employer, with no additional costs or copays. As an employer-provided benefit, employees can receive their annual exam (and additional benefits) free of worry of receiving a bill, copay, or any change to their insurance. 
3. Shepherding inclusivity and acceptance by honoring every patient’s sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation. It’s our duty to welcome all patients and provide clinically-sound care based on their needs. That’s why we offer a national network and on-site pop-up events to provide widespread access to care. Plus, our clinical protocol includes LGBTQIA+ training for all providers. 

Equitable Access to Care 

In a perfect world, all individuals would have the same access to quality healthcare. The reality, however, is that different people have different barriers to getting the care they need. Think education, employment, transportation, neighborhood or environment – these are all factors that contribute to one’s ability to access safe, useful healthcare and therefore impact their health outcomes for years to come. 

This refers to equitable access to care. When done right, it allows people to access the best care when and where they need it, regardless of their age, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other defining characteristics. When done wrong, it prevents certain groups or individuals from reaching their full potential on a personal, professional, and societal level. The LGBTQIA+ community is one such group that has historically faced barriers to limit their ability to access the care they need – not just as members of this community, but as people just like everyone else.  

Common Barriers for the LGBTQIA+ Community 

While progress has been made to support the LGBTQIA+ community on multiple fronts, studies have shown that this population faces certain challenges at higher rates than their non-LGBTQIA+ counterparts. These include: 

• Health disparities or unique health challenges. Those in the LGBTQIA+ community are at higher risk of certain conditions and therefore may have worse health outcomes, especially related to behavioral health, addiction, and substance abuse. 
• Healthcare coverage or related financial hardships. A recent survey showed individuals in this community are less likely to have private insurance, which may be due to lower income than non-LGBTQIA+ counterparts. 

• Underlying stigmas and biases. In the same survey, people in this community were twice as likely to report discrimination during a health visit than non-LGBTQIA+ counterparts. 

These barriers can be extremely detrimental to the health and wellbeing of your employees, and therefore, of your company. 

Playing the Long Game 

Think a year, five years, ten years from now – what does your company’s population health look like? Perhaps you’ve lowered healthcare costs or decreased emergency room visits. Or your team has better health outcomes related to their mental health and happiness. 

Whatever that long-term vision looks like, it requires you offer comprehensive, equitable care for all your employees. It’s one of the most important changes you can make today that will have positive repercussions for years to come.