LGBTQIA+ Affirming Provider Training
LGBTQIA+ Affirming Provider Training
What Is the LGBTQIA+ Affirming Provider Designation?
The LGBTQIA+ Affirming Provider Designation is a new, voluntary addition Community Care provider’s may have added to their profile. It shows they are affirming of LGBTQIA+ patients’ unique health care needs. To earn the designation, providers must complete three training modules and five attestations.
The LGBTQIA+ Affirming Provider Designation is being introduced, in collaboration with UPMC Health Plan, and comes out of more than two years of internal planning and development as well as a partnership with the Fenway Institute to make sure their plan aligned with the latest research. The Fenway Institute is an interdisciplinary center for research, training, education, and policy development focusing on national and international health issues—especially related to LGBTQIA+ communities.
Why UPMC’s LGBTQIA+ Affirming Provider Designation Is Important
The LGBTQIA+ Affirming Provider Designation is one step providers can take in providing equitable health care to the LGBTQIA+ community.
Like other underserved populations, LGBTQIA+ people face health care disparities. Studies show LGBTQIA+ people report higher rates of discrimination in health care settings than their straight, cisgender peers.
They may also struggle to find providers who are affirming of their health care needs. Because of these factors, they may delay or avoid seeking health care. The LGBTQIA+ Affirming Provider Designation aims to help LGBTQIA+ people find providers who don’t just accept them but understand their needs.
The designation is voluntary. That means providers are taking extra steps to show their willingness to provide affirming care, including completing the training and attestations.
How Providers Earn the LGBTQIA+ Affirming Designation
To earn the LGBTQIA+ Affirming Designation, Community Care providers must complete three training modules and five attestations. Upon completion providers will be reflected as an LGBTQIA+ Affirming Provider in the Community Care provider directory as well as UPMC Health Plan provider directories based upon their participating status in those networks.
The LGBTQIA+ Affirming provider designation provides an increased visibility to clients seeking affirming care as well as an enhancing your reputation as a provider committed to inclusive practices. We encourage all providers to take advantage of this opportunity to better serve our diverse community
Each module must be completed and the LGBTQIA+ Affirming Provider Designation Attestation form must be completed prior to your provider profile being updated. Please use the links below to access the current modules provided through UPMC Health Plan:
- LGBTQIA+ Patient and Colleague Awareness Training expires 10/1/2027
- Care for Transgender, Gender Diverse, and Intersex Patients expires 10/1/2027
- Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Affirming Documentation and Systems expires 10/1/2027
- LGBTQIA+ Affirming Provider Designation Attestation form
