All aspects of gender affirming medical care in BC are integrated into the provincial health system through Trans Care BC. Trans Care BC supports the delivery of equitable and accessible care, surgical planning, and peer support for trans people across the province. They have developed one of Canada’s leading guidance documents on gender-affirming healthcare, Gender-Affirming Care for Trans, Two-Spirit, and Gender Diverse Patients in BC: A Primary Care Toolkit.They also provide healthcare navigation services through their Health Navigation Team.
In BC, trans and gender diverse people can access gender-affirming hormone therapy through a primary care provider, an endocrinologist (provided they are given a hormone readiness assessment by another health care provider), or in some places, transgender specific clinics.
For patients seeking gender-affirming surgeries, the first step is to arrange surgical care planning with a primary care provider. Trans Care BC has a comprehensive guide on How to Get Surgery explaining surgical care planning, eligibility, specific requirements by procedure, funding information, and all the necessary forms. Since 2019, both upper and lower body surgeries have been accessible in-province, minimizing the need to travel out–of-province or out-of-country for care. The Gender Surgery Program BC is the largest program on the West Coast that ensures that patients have access to lower body surgeries. It also serves patients from Yukon. In addition to public coverage for many surgeries and procedures, other financial assistance programs include:
- The Gender Surgery Program BC covers medically-necessary hair removal in preparation for surgery.
- Hope Air provides funding for flights to and from surgery locations.
- The Travel Assistance Program (TAP) can help to cover surgery travel costs.
- The First Nations Health Authority may cover meals, accommodation, travel for those who qualify.
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