Notes:
The 64 cent cost per insured represents the total charge to provide the service.
With most insurance plans, the employer pays part and the employee pays part.
Even if an employer decided to add full coverage, some of the 64 cents would continue to be paid by the employee.
A Kaiser Family Foundation study found that single employees pay an average of 15% of their health care, families nearly double that.
In addition, most plans already have partial coverage of THBs.
Some plans exclude surgery but pay for therapy and hormones, or just pay for therapy.
Nearly all plans cover Maintenance HRT, because after surgery, HRT is usually covered.
Another factor to consider is the so-called 'Magnet Effect,' where more transsexuals are attracted to an employer that offers THBs.
This effect would be most severe during the early years, when only a few employers offer this coverage.
Lucent, Avaya, and San Francisco have not seen any evidence of the magnet effect, and have seen claim rates below what they expected.
It is possible that, once insurance covers THBs, more people who need the coverage may use the benefits.
This is medically appropriate, and may result in better health for transgender workers.
It may also increase costs. Again, there has been no sign of such an increase in Lucent, Avaya, or San Francisco.