Gender Affirming Services, including hormone therapy, are covered under the UC Student Health Insurance Plan. Your initial step in receiving care is to make an appointment with your provider at the UCSF Gender Affirming Health Program or UCSF Health Primary Care.
A specialty referral is required from UCSF Health Primary Care to utilize UC SHIP gender-affirming benefits. Gender Affirming Procedures are considered an eligible benefit when all the clinical indications for Gender Affirmation Procedures are met. UC SHIP Gender Affirming Surgery will follow World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) edition 8 guidelines.
UC SHIP Gender Affirming Benefits
This brief outline of coverage does not reflect all benefits, exclusions, and limitations that may apply. For more details on insurance coverage, refer to the UC SHIP medical benefit booklet or contact UC SHIP customer service at 855-484-4930.
| Benefit | Notes |
|---|---|
| Gender affirming surgery (or reassignment), also known as bottom surgery* | Subject to precertification, deductible, and coinsurance |
| Top surgery for female to male (FTM) and male to female (MTF)* | Subject to precertification, deductible, and coinsurance |
|
Gender conforming facial surgery*
|
Subject to precertification, deductible, and coinsurance |
| Tracheal shave* | Subject to precertification, deductible, and coinsurance |
| Electrolysis and laser hair removal | Subject to deductible and coinsurance |
| Gender affirming surgery travel expenses | |
| Travel expense for each surgical procedure (limited to six trips) | No copay, deductible, or coinsurance |
| Transportation to the facility where the surgery will take place | Up to $250 for round-trip coach airfare |
| Lodging accommodations (limited to one room, double occupancy) | Up to $100 per day, for up to 21 days per trip |
| Other reasonable expenses (excluding tobacco, alcohol, drug, and meal expenses) | Up to $25 per day, for up to 21 days per trip |
| Vocal training (Must be rendered by a licensed speech therapist |
Subject to deductible, copay, or coinsurance |
| Fertility preservation* | Subject to precertification, deductible, and coinsurance. Limited to fertility preservation services only. This plan doesn't cover the testing or treatment of infertility. |
* Subject to precertification, deductible, and coinsurance