Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada now is offering gender affirmation coverage through extended health care plans.
In a statement, the company said that its extended coverage “will help people transitioning embody their authentic selves.”
“We know there can be a significant impact on an individual's mental, emotional, and physical well-being when they do not feel connected to their gender,” said Marie-Chantal Côté, vice president of market development at Sun Life Financial Canada. “Gender affirmation procedures and hormone therapies can help a person feel empowered to align their body with their gender expression.”
Sun Life explained that its offering will provide financial support to plan members by reimbursing expenses covered by their workplace plan. Employers can offer core or enhanced coverage including:
- Core Coverage: coverage for basic surgical procedures not covered under the individual's provincial or territorial health care plan. These procedures include the reduction of the Adam's apple and/or voice surgery.
- Enhanced Coverage: additional coverage for surgical procedures to align feminine or masculine features to the transitioned gender. These procedures include facial bone reduction and/or cheek augmentation.
In conjunction with the person's provincial or territorial health care plan, Sun Life's core coverage will reimburse some procedures not covered by their place of residence. While most medicare plans cover the basic surgical procedures for transitioning, many do not cover surgeries that feminize or masculinize an individual's features, Sun Life said.
“When it comes to health and wellness, we understand that no two needs are the same, which is why we continue to evolve and diversify our health benefit plans, helping to meet the needs of all Canadians,” said Dave Jones, senior vice president for group benefits at Sun Life Financial Canada. “Having additional support through gender affirmation can make a meaningful difference and help plan members live happier and healthier lives.”
Gender affirmation coverage will be available to employers who wish to add it to their existing group Extended Health Care plans, beginning April 2019.
Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada is a member of the Sun Life Financial group of companies.
Learn more: www.sunlife.com.
Victoria Spears
Victoria Prussen Spears is senior vice president of Meyerowitz Communications Inc., a law firm marketing communications consulting company. A graduate of Sarah Lawrence College and Brooklyn Law School, Ms. Spears was an attorney at a leading New York City law firm before joining Meyerowitz Communications. She may be contacted at [email protected].