Healthcare facilities receiving this designation earned a top score of 100 points on the HEI 2024 survey. As an “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader,” these facilities have received the highest score in each of the HEI criteria and demonstrated that they offer transgender-inclusive healthcare benefits to their employees.

Healthcare facilities receiving this designation earned a score between 80 to 95 points and were required to receive full credit in Criteria 1 and at least partial credit in Criteria 2, 3, and 4. As an “LGBTQ+ Healthcare EqualityHigh Performer,” these facilities are going beyond the basics when it comes to adopting policies and practices in LGBTQ+ care.

Healthcare facilities receiving this designation have received full credit in Criteria 1. This designation, intended for new HEI participants, requires LGBTQ+ inclusive Patient, Visitation and Employment policies along with meeting the required staff training in LGBTQ+ patient-centered care.

Healthcare facilities that actively worked with the HRC Foundation to complete and submit a survey for the HEI 2024 and did meet the criteria or score requirements to earn one of the designations described above.

Healthcare facilities that previously participated in the HEI survey, but did not submit a survey for the HEI 2024. These facilities will only show whether they have an LGBTQ+ inclusive Patient Non-Discrimination Policy, an Equal Visitation Policy and an LGBTQ+ inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Policy.

Healthcare facilities that we proactively researched for LGBTQ+ inclusion in foundational policies (i.e. an LGBTQ+ inclusive Patient Non-Discrimination Policy, an Equal Visitation Policy and an LGBTQ+ inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Policy). See below for our research methodology.

The HEI 2024 Report assessed 1065 healthcare facilities that actively participated in the Healthcare Equality Index survey. Throughout the open survey period, HRC Foundation Health & Aging Program staff provided additional assistance and advice to help facility representatives complete the survey. Once submitted, HRC Foundation staff reviewed and verified documentation for appropriate language and consistency with the required criteria. If any criteria were not met, the HRC Foundation provided healthcare facilities the opportunity to update the deficiencies and submit the required additional information necessary to meet the criteria.

Hospitals researched were selected based on a variety of criteria related to size, location and the population served by the hospital.

We exhaustively searched these facilities’ public websites for inclusive policies, using search terms such as “non-discrimination,” “visitation,” “EEO,” “bill of rights,” “sexual orientation” and “gender identity.” HRC Foundation staff searched these facilities’ websites much like an internet-savvy potential patient, visitor or applicant would to learn whether a hospital had: an LGBTQ+ inclusive patient non-discrimination policy, an equal visitation policy, an LGBTQ+ inclusive employment non-discrimination policy.