Which gender-affirming surgeries are covered by MSP?
MSP covers:
- Breast construction (breast augmentation) - only publicly funded in certain circumstances. Request for public funding must submitted by a plastic surgeon to MSP. See breast augmentation page for more information.
- Chest construction (including chest reduction)
- Orchiectomy
- Hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy
- Vaginoplasty
- Vulvoplasty
- Clitoral release
- Metoidioplasty
- Phalloplasty
What associated costs are not covered by MSP?
While MSP pays for the cost of the above surgeries, there are some costs that are not covered. These include:
- Travel and accommodation costs to and from surgical centres (in BC, Montreal and out-of-country) for all gender-affirming surgeries and surgical revisions. Please note that surgeries for erectile and/or testicular implants will require at least two trips to the surgical centre
What if I am on provincial disability assistance or income assistance?
If you are on provincial disability assistance, you may wish to contact the
Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction to discuss funding for travel, support garments, and other medically necessary supplies. Your primary care provider can write a letter of support to obtain these funds.
Is travel assistance available?
You can apply to
Hope Air, a Canadian charity that arranges free flights with commercial carriers, for Canadians who must travel to health care. The assistance is based on financial need.
BC also offers travel assistance through the Medical Services Plan (MSP)
Travel Assistance Program (TAP). If you are approved for TAP, you may also qualify for a Request for Non-local Medical Transportation Assistance.
