Whether or not insurance covers the cost of gender reassignment surgery depends on the specific insurance plan. Some insurance plans do cover gender reassignment surgery, while others do not.
In the United States, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires most health insurance plans to cover “medically necessary” services, including gender-affirming care. However, the ACA does not define what constitutes “medically necessary,” so it is up to each insurance plan to decide what they will cover.
Some insurance plans may require that you have a certain amount of documentation before they will cover gender reassignment surgery. This documentation may include letters from a therapist or counselor, a diagnosis of gender dysphoria, and proof that you have been living as your identified gender for a certain period of time.
If you are not sure whether your insurance plan covers gender reassignment surgery, you should contact your insurance company to ask. You can also check the website of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) for a list of insurance plans that cover gender-affirming care.
Here are some resources that you may find helpful:
- The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) website: https://www.hrc.org/
- The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) website: https://www.wpath.org/
- The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) website: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/
If your insurance plan does not cover gender reassignment surgery, there are other options available to you. You may be able to find a surgeon who will work with you on a payment plan. You may also be able to apply for grants or loans to help cover the cost of surgery.
It is important to remember that you are not alone. There are many resources available to help you pay for gender reassignment surgery. With a little planning, you can make your dream of having gender-affirming surgery a reality.