Chicago health center uses endocrine disorder code for hormone prescriptions

A Chicago health facility assigns patients receiving cross-sex hormones a diagnosis of unspecified endocrine disorder rather than gender-related codes. The Howard Brown Health Center states on its website that the approach avoids suggesting transgender identity constitutes a mental health condition.

The center is Illinois' only federally qualified health center focused on LGBT patients and serves more than 28,000 people annually. Federal health agencies have awarded it more than $100 million since 1998.

Diagnosis and billing practice The facility's website directs staff to record hormone prescriptions under ICD code 259.9 for endocrine disorder. It previously listed a Youth Hormone Program for minors, but that language was removed from the site in 2025.

Texas and Tennessee officials have investigated similar coding practices at other clinics since 2023, alleging the endocrine disorder label was used to obtain insurance or Medicaid reimbursement.

Federal review Federal health agencies began requesting coding records from facilities in May to verify compliance with laws governing transgender medical procedures. A July 2025 legal analysis warned providers that use of the endocrine disorder code could trigger review under the False Claims Act.

A senior staff member at the center co-authored clinical guidance issued by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health. That organization faces a lawsuit filed in June alleging its guidance enabled insurance coverage for procedures by labeling them medically necessary.

The center and the medical organization did not respond to requests for comment. A Department of Justice spokesperson stated the agency would use available legal tools to address procedures performed on minors but would neither confirm nor deny specific investigations.