Duke Responds to Reports on Gender Reassignment Surgery

A Duke official is responding to inaccurate stories circulating on some blogs and news outlets this week that the university is raising tuition to cover the costs of adding gender reassignment surgery to its student health insurance.  In a statement today, Michael J. Schoenfeld, Duke's vice president for public affairs and government relations, said:

Duke requires all students to have health insurance while they are enrolled at the university. Students who are not covered by their parents' insurance, or a comparable plan, can purchase a comprehensive insurance plan through the university. 

For next year, the premium for students who choose to purchase this plan will increase by eight percent. Half of this increase is attributable to changes required under the Affordable Care Act, and half of the increase comes from benefit enhancements requested by students, one of which is gender reassignment surgery, a benefit that is already provided in many private-employer health insurance plans and at least 37 other student health insurance plans at public and private universities around the country.

The addition of gender reassignment surgery represents 0.3 percent of the premium increase for student health insurance, or about $5.25 for the average student who utilizes the plan.

This change has no impact on tuition, and no tuition or fees are used to subsidize the student health insurance plan.

Through its practices and policies, Duke strives to be a welcoming and inclusive place for all individuals. The university has long offered benefits to same-sex domestic partners of employees and plays an active role in promoting equality and tolerance on campus and in the community.