Gender Reassignment Surgery Coverage in Canada

If you are a Canadian who feels strongly about having gender reassignment surgery you may be interested to learn that coverage varies from province to province. 

There are 3 areas of surgery:

• Removal of the internal and external organs associated with the current sex
• Reconstruction of the external characteristics of the desired sex
• Procedures to enhance the appearance and more closely match the desired sex

There is a wait list to consider when getting referred for surgery. Unfortunately your family doctor can’t provide this type of referral it must come from a special assessment centre. You may have to travel out of province for this appointment in order to be referred.

When it comes to funding the surgery you will have to look at whether your province offers any type of coverage. Eight provinces, all but New Brunswick and PEI, fund some combination of gender-confirming surgeries. 

The CanadianProfessional Association for Transgender Health (CPATH) can provide you with the information you require. British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia fund all seven of the following procedures:

• hysterectomy (uterus removal)
• oophorectomy (ovary removal)
• metaoidioplasty and phalloplasty (bottom surgery for female-to-male trans people)
• penectomy (penis removal)
• orchiectomy (testes removal)
• vaginoplasty (the creation of a vagina)

Mastectomies are funded by some of the provinces but there is no chest contouring coverage. Nipple grafting can cost on average an extra $1,500.

Provinces such as Newfoundland and Saskatchewan require trans people seeking surgery to get a referral from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health’s (CAMH) Gender Identity Clinic in Toronto.

Trans people often don’t have the time to wait the sometimes five-plus years to begin the surgical process to change their gender, they can suffer from gender dysphoria, a mental health disorder caused by having to live in a body they feel doesn’t belong to them. 

Private Health Insurance
If you have private health insurance you might be covered for hormones and certain surgeries. Some insurance companies have exclusions for gender identity related procedures, claiming SRS is "cosmetic," "elective" or "experimental." However, some insurance does cover gender reassignment surgery. Check your insurance manual to see if gender identity procedures and medications are excluded. 

List of Businesses with Transgender-Inclusive Health Insurance Benefits

Retirement and Health Insurance

A great number of Canadians are working well past the age of their desired retirement and it’s not necessarily because they want to keep busy! Many people remain active in the work force for financial reasons, the like of which could be based on health issues that require the health insurance coverage they receive in the workplace. Under such circumstances, they find it worrisome to contemplate retirement.

People who are fortunate enough to have a health insurance plan at work must take into account the fact that they will lose that coverage once they retire. Aging Canadians, who suffer from chronic health conditions, understand the importance of health insurance as they deal with the costs of prescription medications and medical treatments. Some provinces subsidize certain expenses for those over 65, but not all medicines and treatments are covered.

Working Canadians must bear in mind the ‘what if’s’ when considering retirement. For those who are beginning to deal with health issues, one of their main concerns is this:  Will I be able to absorb the medical costs should I need a caregiver (a personal support assistant or nurse) when I retire? Home care expenses can run anywhere between $2,000 and $5,000 a month, depending on the level of care required. 

As we age, our body changes.  One can expect diminishing vision and increasing dental upkeep, and one should also be prepared in the event that the aid of medical devices might be required to help with mobility or hearing loss. 

There’s a way to alleviate your worries. CAA Health & Dental Insurance offers enhanced plans to early retirees and seniors that specifically address the needs of particular age groups. Health insurance companies - CAAhealth.ca - understand that every life stage has its own specific needs and for that reason, they offer customizable packages that fit the needs and the budget.

Where is Health Insurance on your List?

20% of Canadians don’t have any type of health insurance, be it group insurance, personal insurance or even personal savings put aside in the event of a health crisis. Many Canadian families feel overextended financially taking into account the general cost of living.

Between managing child care costs, mortgage and vehicle payments, utilities, investing in a retirement fund, as well as other common expenses, the idea of planning for potential future health care costs might be at the bottom of the list for many busy families.

The scary truth is that a serious health issue such as a heart attack, stroke, cancer, or other serious illness/accident can result in very high medical bills. Having health insurance coverage can help to absorb the costs. 

Health insurance can be customized to meet your needs. There are plans specifically designed for families with children, individuals, students, and seniors. It’s a matter of doing your homework and obtaining a plan that suits your particular needs and budget.

Canadians need to put health insurance higher on the list!

For more information about customized plans for CAA members, go to  CAAhealth.ca.

Is Health Insurance Necessary?

If it’s essential to insure our cars and our homes against theft, accident and fire, then why debate over whether or not to invest in a supplemental health insurance plan? The government health plan has limited coverage, falling short in certain areas like prescription medication, vision care, and dental work. This justifies having a supplemental health insurance plan in place. 

Fortunately, health insurance plans can be designed to suit personal needs and budget. You don’t have to pay for an option you don’t need!