LGBTQIA+ people (lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, transgender, genderqueer, queer, intersexed, agender, asexual, and ally community) are especially vulnerable to discrimination in health care, from humiliation and harassment to denial of necessary medical care. To avoid mistreatment, LGBTQIA+ people may delay or forgo medical care, which increases their risk of further physical and mental health conditions like depression, cancer, and chronic diseases.
With the help of LGBTQIA+ leaders and clinicians, entrepreneur and queer health advocate A.G. Breitenstein (she/they) founded FOLX to bring inclusion and equality to health care.
“We’re the first to focus on the full spectrum of the queer and trans community,” Breitenstein tells Verywell. “The first to really focus on how to build an entirely new experience for this community given who we are, what we experience, and what we want out of health care.”
FOLX Services
According to Breinstenstein, FOLX offers three pillars, or plans, that address queer and trans-specific medical needs: identity, sexual health and wellness, and family creation.
Pillar I: Identity
For trans people, it can be difficult to discuss certain healthcare needs, such as gender affirmation. In fact, the National Center for Transgender Equality found that more than 50% of transgender individuals reported having to explain certain aspects of transgender-specific care to medical providers.
In the identity pillar, FOLX removes this barrier with LGBTQAI+ clinicians who can provide hormone replacement therapy and other services to support trans people in their transition journey.
“[The identity pillar] is really about [building] a virtual healthcare offering around all the needs of folx that are doing a transition,” Breinstenstein says.
Pillar II: Sexual Health and Wellness
According to the Center for American Progress, 18.4% of LGBTQI people reported avoiding medical treatment out of fear of discrimination. Sexual health conditions such as HIV or HPV can have serious consequences if undiagnosed or untreated.
To support LGBTQIA+ people in their sexual wellbeing, Breitenstein says that FOLX offers a wide array of services and products, including:
Sexually transmitted infection (STI) kits and treatmentsErectile dysfunction (ED) medicationHIV servicesPre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to significantly reduce the risk of HIVHPV testing
“Health care is so core to people’s being and happiness. It’s really about people just living their lives,” Breitenstein says, adding that FOLX is committed to helping LGBTQIA+ people “have a happy, healthy sex life.”
Pillar III: Family Creation
Regardless of gender identity, family planning can be a process that is mired with confusion. However, for LGBTQIA+ people, discriminatory healthcare practices can make the journey even more complex and frustrating.
Breitenstein says that the family creation pillar helps provide resources and support for LGBTQIA+ people looking to have children. People who could benefit from this plan might include:
Two women or two female-identified people who want to do reverse in-vitro fertilization (IVF) Two men looking for a surrogate A trans man who, after years of being on hormones, wants to bear children
“These are complex medical processes that are poorly served by most of the fertility and gynecological services out there today,” Breitenstein says.
How It Works
Breitenstein says FOLX uses an informed consent model to ensure that all LGBTQIA+ people feel comfortable and well-informed when they are discussing their health and exploring different medical options.
How Much Does It Cost?
“We’re a self-pay service,” says Breitenstein. “We don’t take insurance. We price everything lower than a deductible or copay, so we make it as accessible as possible.”
FOLX plans start at $59 a month. Each plan includes the following benefits:
On-demand virtual visits with cliniciansAccess to text notificationsThe ability to get labs done in the homePrescription medication delivered to the home Access to health education
“The way we think about our brand and ethos is to help people feel seen and heard for who they truly are,” Breitenstein says, “Sometimes for the first time in their lives.”
If you are part of the community, know that there might be LGBTQIA+ friendly medical providers where you live that can give you the compassionate, competent care you deserve.
