June is Pride Month: LGBTQ+ Healthcare Resources
LGBTQ+ Health Resources in Montgomery County: A Physician’s Guide
Montgomery County has more LGBTQ+ residents per capita than most Maryland jurisdictions, but a 2024 report from the Office of Legislative Oversight (OLO) found the County functions as a healthcare “desert” for transgender patients. Only three clinics offer any gender-affirming services, and none specializes exclusively in this care. Knowing what is available and how to connect patients with it is a practical necessity for Montgomery County physicians.
Local Gender-Affirming Care Providers
The OLO identified three practices in the county that provide gender-affirming services. Planned Parenthood in Gaithersburg offers hormone replacement therapy. Mary’s Center in Silver Spring has two clinicians who provide HRT. CCI Health Services offers limited gender-affirming services at locations in Rockville, Silver Spring, Wheaton, Takoma Park, and Gaithersburg.
The report’s central finding: the single largest barrier to appropriate care—for gender-affirming and general medical needs alike—is a lack of providers trained in transgender health.
Physician action: Keep this list accessible at the point of care and include it in your referral workflow. Patients who cannot get timely local access may benefit from a referral to the Johns Hopkins Center for Transgender Health or the Sibley Memorial Hospital LGBTQ provider list.
Maryland Medicaid Coverage for Gender-Affirming Care
Maryland Medicaid covers medically necessary gender-affirming care following the WPATH Standards of Care. Covered services include hormone therapy, mental health services, surgical procedures, electrology, and medical tattooing. As of January 1, 2025, the Maryland Department of Health published a directory of 903 consenting providers across Medicaid managed care organizations offering these services.
Patients must be enrolled in Medicaid, have a qualifying diagnosis, and be able to provide informed consent. Clinical criteria are available directly from the Department of Health.
Physician action: Direct Medicaid-enrolled patients to their MCO provider directory or to health.maryland.gov/mmcp for the provider list, clinical criteria, and enrollment information.
CME and Clinical Training
Published survey data show only 28% of physicians have received any LGBTQ+-related training. The AMA, in partnership with the Fenway Institute, offers accredited CME modules covering clinical best practices, health equity, and care access for LGBTQ+ patients. These are self-paced and available to members online.
The 2024 OLO report recommended that Montgomery County explore requiring LGBTQ+ cultural competency training for providers to maintain licensure or certification in Maryland.
Physician action: The AMA’s LGBTQ+ Section Resources page links to CME modules, clinical handouts, and practice standards. CME-eligible, self-paced.
Mental Health Disparities and Local Resources
CDC data document that LGBTQ+ youth face elevated rates of suicidal ideation, depression, anxiety, and substance use, with disparities in mental health appearing as early as age 10. Among LGB adults, population-based research shows higher rates of disability, poor mental health, and tobacco use compared with heterosexual peers.
In Montgomery County, the MoCo Pride Center (4805 Edgemoor Lane, Bethesda) opened in 2025 as the county’s first dedicated LGBTQ+ community space, offering support groups and referrals. The Rainbow Youth Alliance provides counseling, support groups, and programming specifically for LGBTQ+ teens in the county.
Physician action: Routine mental health screening is appropriate for LGBTQ+ patients. For adult referrals, the MoCo Pride Center is the county’s primary community resource. For patients under 18, the Rainbow Youth Alliance offers county-based programs.
Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Data Collection
The Joint Commission and the Institute of Medicine have both recommended routine collection of sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) data in clinical settings and EHRs. Research in community health settings shows high patient acceptance of SOGI questions when they are introduced consistently and respectfully. The CDC has documented that only a small fraction of health systems currently collect this information, limiting the ability to track and address disparities.
Physician action: Review whether your EHR’s SOGI fields are activated and ensure staff are trained to introduce these questions as part of standard intake. The AMA’s LGBTQ+ Section Resources include practice guidance on creating an affirming intake process.
State and Community Referral Resources
The following resources are suitable for patient referral or physician reference:
- Maryland Dept. of Health — Gender-Affirming Care: Coverage, provider directory, clinical criteria
- Maryland Family Planning Program: 60+ clinics statewide, free/low-cost, Medicaid accepted, no insurance required
- Governor’s LGBTQIA+ Resource Directory: Statewide affirming resource directory maintained by the Maryland Commission on LGBTQIA+ Affairs
- MoCo Pride Center: 4805 Edgemoor Lane, Bethesda — support groups, referrals, community programming
- Rainbow Youth Alliance: Montgomery County teens, counseling and peer support
- Johns Hopkins Center for Transgender Health: Regional specialty referral
- Sibley Memorial Hospital LGBTQ Providers: DC-area provider list
MCMS Perspective
MCMS monitors the County’s response to the OLO recommendations, especially discussions about physician training requirements and expanding access to specialized care. Members with questions, resources to share, or experiences navigating LGBTQ+ care gaps in the County are encouraged to contact MCMS at farastu@montgomerymedicine.org.