Gender confirming
Transgender Islanders will now be able to access medically necessary gender-confirming surgeries through the province’s Medicare program.
Transgender Islanders will now be able to access medically necessary gender- confirming surgeries through the province’s Medicare program. Gender- confirming surgery, also referred to as gender affirming or sex reassignment surgery, is a medically recognized treatment for gender dysphoria.
Health and Wellness Minister Robert Mitchell says, “Gender dysphoria is a recognized medical condition that, left untreated, can result in high levels of anxiety and depression. This announcement brings us in line with what is available in most other provinces.”
Coverage for these surgeries will be based on what most other Canadian provinces insure and the process used nationally to provide access to care.
“This is an incredibly important step for the health and well- being of transgender and non- binary Islanders and their supports. For some, these surgeries are a matter of survival and are essential to quality of life,” said PEERS Alliance executive director, Cybelle Rieber. The patient would be assessed for clinical eligibility using criteria established by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, which includes a comprehensive psychiatric assessment and prolonged medical management before surgery is considered an option. Counselling/ psychotherapy and hormone therapy will con- tinue to be funded through the provincial health care system.
Islanders interested in accessing gender- confirming surgeries are encouraged to contact their family physician, specialist or community mental health team.