Gender Affirming Care for Adolescents and Adults

What Is Gender Affirming Care?

Gender affirming care refers to a range of medical, social, psychological, and behavioral interventions and support services designed to support and affirm an individual’s gender identity when it conflicts with the gender they were assigned at birth.  This care is rooted in scientific evidence and recognized by leading medical organizations—including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Endocrine Society—as essential and life-saving for many transgender and gender-diverse individuals.

Our Gender Affirming Services Include:

• Initial Consultations and Gender Health Evaluations
  Thorough, supportive consultations to understand each individual’s goals and needs, including medical history, gender journey, and mental health support.
• Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy (GAHT)
  We provide individualized estrogen or testosterone therapy for both adolescents ages 16+ (when medically indicated) and adults, following established clinical guidelines and informed consent practices.
• Ongoing Monitoring and Support
  Regular lab monitoring, symptom tracking, and adjustments to treatment to ensure safety, effectiveness, and alignment with each patient’s gender goals.
• Collaborative Care
  Coordination with mental health providers, surgeons, fertility specialists, and community resources to provide holistic, wraparound support.
• Preventive and Primary Care for Transgender and Non-Binary Patients
  Gender-sensitive screening and health maintenance services tailored to each patient’s anatomy and identity when patients are enrolled in our primary care membership program.

A Safe, Affirming Space for All

We are committed to creating a welcoming and nonjudgmental environment for transgender, non-binary, and gender-diverse individuals. Whether you’re an adult seeking hormone therapy, a teen exploring your identity, or a parent looking for support and guidance for your child, Dr. Taskier offers compassionate, medically sound care tailored to your needs..

Serving Patients in Rockville, Bethesda, and the Greater Washington, DC Area

Our gender affirming care services are available to patients throughout Montgomery County, Maryland, and the greater DMV region. In-person and telehealth appointments are available to ensure accessibility and continuity of care.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you or a loved one is interested in gender affirming medical care, we invite you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Madeline Taskier today. We’re here to help you feel empowered, supported, and authentically yourself.

Frequent Asked Questions:

Who do you provide gender-affirming care for?

Dr. Taskier provides gender-affirming care to adolescents age 16 and older and adults of all ages. Our approach is inclusive of people across the gender spectrum, including transgender, nonbinary, gender diverse, and questioning individuals.

 

What kinds of gender affirming services do you offer?

We offer a range of medical and supportive services, including:

• Gender-affirming hormone therapy (HRT) for adolescents (16+) and adults
• Pre- and post-operative support and referrals
• Assistance with letters of support for surgery or legal gender marker changes
• Fertility counseling and referrals
• Referrals to affirming mental health providers if needed

We follow an informed consent model for adults and work in collaboration with youth and their caregivers when treating adolescents.

 

What is the informed consent model?

The informed consent model respects your autonomy and does not require mandatory mental health evaluations before starting hormone therapy (for adults). We ensure you receive thorough information about the risks, benefits, and expectations of treatment and support your decision-making process.

 

What if I’m under 18? Can I start hormones?

For patients age 16 or 17, we offer gender-affirming hormone therapy in collaboration with:

• The patient
• The parent(s) or legal guardian(s) (consent is required)
• A mental health provider with experience in gender-affirming care (as necessary)

We follow professional guidelines (such as those from WPATH, Endocrine Society, and UCSF) and prioritize a supportive, team-based approach.

 

Do you prescribe puberty blockers?
When appropriate, we offer puberty suppression using GnRH analogues to pause unwanted physical changes and allow adolescents more time to explore their identity. For these patients, we follow professional guidelines and collaborate with the patient, the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) and a mental health provider with experience in gender-affirming care as necessary.

 

Do you write letters for gender-affirming surgery or legal documentation?

Yes. We provide support letters for gender-affirming surgeries (such as top surgery, hysterectomy, or genital reconstruction) and documentation for gender marker changes on IDs, as appropriate. We aim to make this process as smooth and respectful as possible.

 

Do I need a mental health diagnosis or therapy to access hormone therapy?

• Adults (18+): No mental health diagnosis or therapy is required. We use an informed consent model.
• Adolescents (16–17): A letter or assessment from a qualified mental health provider is typically required to ensure readiness and provide support.

We are happy to connect you with affirming therapists if needed.

 

What if I’m unsure about starting hormones?

That’s completely okay. Exploring your gender identity is a process, and not everyone chooses to pursue medical transition. We’re here to support you regardless of your goals, whether you want to learn more, take next steps, or just talk about your options.

 

What if I’ve already started my gender-affirming care and I want to transition to your practice?

We accept any patients age 16+ who have already started their journey in this space and want to continue their existing care plan. For patients who are joining the practice, we submit a signed records request to your previous provider to obtain necessary information about your medical care once you have signed up with our practice. You will review this information with Dr. Taskier during your initial appointment.

 

Are gender-affirming services covered by insurance?

Our practice does not take insurance. All visits and consultations are covered by the gender-affirming care service fee (see below).

Many components of gender-affirming services—including hormone therapy, labs, and some surgeries—are covered by most insurance plans, though coverage varies. We recommend checking directly with your insurance provider. Our team can help with documentation and prior authorizations when needed.

 

Can I get routine care with you even if I’m not interested in hormones or surgery?

We provide affirming, patient-centered primary care through our primary care concierge practice. Dr. Taskier is currently accepting new patients in her primary care practice. This includes annual exams, STI screening, chronic condition management, and more under the membership fee. If you join Dr. Taskier’s primary care panel, any gender-affirming care services are included under the membership fee.

 

I’m a parent or a caregiver. How can I support my child through this process?

We welcome parents and caregivers as key partners in supporting young people through their gender journey. Our providers are happy to answer your questions, provide education, and help you support your child’s health and well-being.

 

How do I get started?

If you are ready to get started with your care, you can call our office or go online to request your initial consultation. If you have additional questions about whether the program is right for you, you can schedule a 30 minute “meet and greet” session at no cost.

 

Is your practice LGBTQIA+ friendly?

Yes. We are a welcoming and affirming space for LGBTQIA+ patients and families. Our staff are trained in culturally responsive care, and we are committed to health equity and respect for all identities.

 

How much does gender affirming care services cost?

The fee for Dr. Taskier’s gender affirming care program is $1000. The fee includes everything except for blood work and medications. While Dr. Taskier doesn’t accept insurance, she can give you an invoice to submit to your insurance for reimbursement. Blood work is drawn in Dr. Taskier’s office and most insurances will cover the cost of labs (your insurance may charge you a co-pay).

This fee includes:

• An initial, in-person comprehensive evaluation and consultation
• Follow up visits (in-person or virtual) at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 9 month intervals
• 1 year of phone call/email service to answer any questions or troubleshoot problems
• Initial blood work and necessary monitoring blood work
• Any documentation, assistance with letters of support, or care coordination with relevant specialists.
• 1 year of prescription medications for gender-affirming hormone therapy (HRT)