Information on Sex Reassignment Surgery (SRS) and Trans Health Care in Ontario

From Rainbow Health Ontario:

INFORMATION ON SEX REASSIGNMENT SURGERY (SRS) AND TRANS HEALTH CARE IN ONTARIO

Provided by the SRS and Trans Health Policy Group, July 2009

The SRS and Trans Health Policy Group is a group of health care organizations (Sherbourne Health Centre, The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health) and trans community groups (The Trans Health Lobby Group of Rainbow Health Network and TransPULSE Research Study).

We have been asked to provide consultation to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care with regard to improving the health care system for transsexual and transgendered persons. The Group had a productive first meeting with officials from the MOHLTC on February 10th 2009 and has a further meeting scheduled in the fall of 2009. The results of our consultations will be reported as information becomes available.

In the course of our discussions, however, it has come to our attention that clear information on the current status of SRS in Ontario and related health care for trans patients under the Ontario’s Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) has not been readily accessible. We have produced a Frequently Asked Questions document to help address these questions:

Frequently Asked Questions about SRS and Trans Health Care
1. Has Sex Reassignment Surgery been re-listed as an OHIP covered procedure?
2. Who provides approvals for OHIP covered SRS?
3. What kinds of surgical body changing procedures does OHIP cover for approved sex reassignment surgery?
4. Are there body changing procedures that are not covered by OHIP?
5. Where are approved SRS patients referred for their surgical procedures?
6. Is there a waiting list to be seen at CAMH’s Gender Identity Clinic?
7. What if I live in an area that is far from the GIC in Toronto? Is there funding for travel expenses?
8. Where can I get other kinds of care like hormone therapy, counselling, or find a support group?
9. Are hormones covered by OHIP?
10. Where can I or my doctor find reliable materials on gender transition?

To view the FAQ document, please visit:

http://www.rainbowhealthontario.ca/admin/news/files/Comm-SRS-and-Trans-Health-July09.pdf