LGBTQ+ Healthcare Consulting for Health Plans

Improve care and equity. Empower your LGBTQ+ members.

For too long, the LGBTQ+ community has been underserved and ignored by the healthcare system. Today, it is more important than ever for health plans to prioritize the unique health needs of this growing population. Studies show that LGBTQ+ individuals face significant barriers to healthcare access, discrimination, and higher rates of mental health issues, substance abuse, and chronic conditions. By partnering with OutCare Health, health plans can access comprehensive LGBTQ+ health equity services, such as provider education, care coordination, and consulting services. OutCare’s OutList directory helps connect patients with affirming healthcare providers, improving access to culturally responsive care. Let’s work together to create a more equitable healthcare system that supports the health and well-being of all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

experience healthcare discrimination

of trans people are denied healthcare outright

of LGBTQ+ youth report feeling hopeless or sad

seek affirming healthcare providers

The lack of knowledgeable health plan staff and in-network providers, along with coverage limitations, has created a fear of the healthcare system among LGBTQ+ members. This fear leads to care avoidance, resulting in higher emergency department utilization and rates of chronic conditions, mental health disorders, and suicide. This health crisis is not only costing health plans and members billions annually—it’s costing lives.

That’s why we want to help health plans like yours make a difference in the lives of your LGBTQ+ members. OutCare’s LGBTQ+ healthcare consulting solution is tailored to plans of any size. Unlike other for-profit solutions, our consulting team equips your existing staff with the tools they need to be self-sufficient and affirming. This means you won’t have to worry about costly vendor partners or interruptions to your current member engagement process. We invite you to explore our solution offering below and take the first step towards creating a more inclusive and affirming healthcare experience for your LGBTQ+ members.

Staff and Provider Training

Our LGBTQ+ team works with you to establish an ongoing training program for your member-facing staff and even your provider network. Our 101 training program alone results in a 50% improvement in competency, 150% increase in preparedness, 70% increase in attitudes, and a 133% increase in knowledge. We ensure that your staff and provider network will be more affirming and better equipped to support your LGBTQ+ members, ultimately improving member experience, trust, and outcomes.

Affirming Provider Matching

We partner with you to match your provider network with our OutList directory of affirming healthcare providers. We then help you to design your provider lookup experience, ensuring that your LGBTQ+ members can easily find affirming in-network providers. Additionally, we establish a comprehensive training and engagement program to expand in-network knowledge and skills, guaranteeing that your LGBTQ+ members have access to the care they need and increasing trust in your network.

Member Experience Design

We partner with you to establish affirming member engagement experiences. In addition to in-house care coordinator training or outsourced care coordination, this includes developing member-facing web and app experiences that not only detail your commitment to improving LGBTQ+ health equity but also gender affirming coverage transparency and other plan/community health resources for your LGBTQ+ members. Show them you care and empower them on their care journey.

Other Consulting

We offer consultation services to review your intake forms and company documentation, provide expertise in LGBTQ+ affirming language and terminology, guide you on creating welcoming environments, teach you how to be a meaningful ally, identify and resolve stigma/discrimination and microaggressions, assist with coming out in the workplace, navigate legal issues, and help you identify and provide LGBTQ+ resources and referrals. We are committed to providing customized solutions that meet your specific needs – just ask us how we can help!

Get in touch to empower your LGBTQ+ members!

Testimonials

“My team that supports a highly visible client with a very engaging LGBTQ+ population attended the training with OutCare earlier in 2021. The content of the training was very much appropriate for our frontline Advocacy and Clinical teams who support the membership. Learning how unconscious bias exists, understanding the health disparities of the LGBTQ+ population, simple ways to engage with the right use of pronouns and terminology, as well as listening to develop the best plan of care for the member. The training was provided virtually over a Microsoft Teams format with visuals and Q&A sessions. The feedback from our teams is that the sessions were helpful in expanding the knowledge and getting a better sense of how to better support our LGBTQ+ population needs. Dustin has a great way of communicating and soliciting feedback from the audience with his wealth of research and knowledge.”

Nadine Hauf, VP, COO

UnitedHealthcare Premier and Health Hub Operations: Apple Health Hub

“Dr. Nowaskie recently provided a training to our home visiting nurses. Our site staff across the country has been raving about the experience and how much they learned. OutCare is an incredible resource that I’m looking forward to working with more in the future to continue serving ALL families with new babies and connecting them with culturally competent resources and providers in their communities.”

Mary Martin Vance, MSW

Family Connects International

“As an organization that provides sexual and reproductive health care it was important to us ensure that we were providing a safe and inclusive space for all of our patients to be their true and authentic selves. OutCare provided an effective training course that increased both our staff’s confidence and competence when caring for our LGBTQ+ patients. Since the training we have begun creating new policies and adjusting current ones, as well as modifying staff training requirements. OutCare was just the start of our cultural competency journey. I would recommend this training for all organizations – not only to make an inclusive environment for clients but also for employees. I look forward to watching the continuing growth of OutCare and am proud to be LGBTQ+ Inclusive OutCare Certified.”

Allyson Hunsinger, MSN, WHNP-BC

Pace Community Action Agency, Inc.

“We were pleased to feature Dr. Dustin Nowaskie of Outcare at our 44th Annual CME Symposium. Our attendees found him to be an extremely knowledgeable speaker that facilitated a great discussion on serving a patient population that often goes under represented. Dr. Nowaskie shared important techniques for treating patients of any identity compassionately so that they feel comfortable in opening up to their care team.”

Adam Haley, Executive Director

Kentucky Academy of Physician Assistants (KAPA)

“Dr. Nowaskie provided a consult on 2 of my medical education lectures- one regarding sexual minorities and the other on gender minorities in healthcare. He was professional, knowledgeable, shared many insightful thoughts, and did this all with lots of kindness. He was wonderful. We are fortunate he is a provider in the field. I am lucky to know him and his advocacy firsthand.”

Jennifer Valli, PhD,

AASECT-Certified Sex Therapist, LLC

“Dr. Dustin Nowaskie was gracious enough to give his time educating mental health professionals and behavioral health students about LGBTQ+ and mental health issues for the Sandra Eskenazi Mental Health Speakers Series. His presentation is jam packed with facts and research, but delivered in an open, accessible and digestable style. User-friendly resources and tools to foster communication were offered. This presentation was much needed to elevate providers’ awareness and sensitivity to the still challenging, marginalized environment that remains today’s reality for the LGBTQ+ community. OutCare is truly an amazing resource providers can look to when striving to up their cultural competency game and increase equity in healthcare for all. Sincere thanks, Dr. Nowaskie!”

Meg Kovacs, LCSW,

Behavioral Health Academy Coordinator Sandra Eskenazi Mental Health Center

“The trainings are helpful. It helps me to stay current with issues impacting the LGBTQIA community and do a better job with our service provision. My company is a strong supporter of the LGBTQIA community. We have a significant number of employees from this community, who provide outpatient mental health for youth who identify in the LGBTQIA community and are actively recruiting foster homes that will accept youth from this community. Of course, we offer foster parents who are LGBTQIA the opportunity to foster and adopt children in need. Thank you for what you do.”

Michelle Dipboye Sames, LPCC-S, NCC,

National Youth Advocate Program

“I loved the training I just took, and am looking forward to the growth of OutCare! I am only one of a handful of mental health professionals from my city listed on OutCare and I am excited to help clients find an affirming therapist close to them!”

Virginia Powell, LMFT-Associate,

Abilene Family Counseling

“Thank you for your very well-thought-out excellent presentation. I have learned so much!”

Catherine Marsteller, MD,

Meridian Health Services

“Dr. Nowaskie provided a consult on 2 of my medical education lectures- one regarding sexual minorities and the other on gender minorities in healthcare. He was professional, knowledgeable, shared many insightful thoughts and did this all with lots of kindness. He was wonderful. We are fortunate he is a provider in the field. I am lucky to know him and his advocacy firsthand.”

Jennifer Valli, PhD,

AASECT-Certified Sex Therapist, LLC

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IMPORTANT NOTICE

The material contained on this site is provided for informational purpose only. Nothing contained on this site and its related links may be construed as medical or healthcare advice. This site is not designed to promote or endorse any medical or healthcare practice, program or agenda or any medical tests, products, or procedures. OutCare does not screen providers and therefore cannot make any guarantees as to quality of care or LGBTQ+ resources. Before selecting a provider, you should ensure that the provider is a licensed healthcare professional and that they accept your medical insurance. The OutList is not an exhaustive list and may not contain providers or resources for every health issue. OutCare cannot guarantee the availability of a provider listed on this site. OutCare cannot contact providers on behalf of a patient; specific questions about health-related issues and care should be deferred to a specific healthcare provider.