The Government of Yukon has amended regulations to allow Yukoners to receive health insurance coverage for gender-affirming care in private facilities.
With an amendment to the Health Care Insurance Plan Regulation, the Yukon government can now pay for gender-affirming care services that are not insured by other provinces and territories. This addresses the gap Yukoners faced when accessing gender-affirming care offered in private facilities. Yukoners can now access services including tracheal shave, facial feminization, body contouring, vocal surgery and hair removal without having to pay out-of-pocket.
Yukoners who have applied for coverage for gender-affirming care through the Yukon government will receive an update on the status of their application.
The Yukon is leading the country in advancing access to gender-affirming surgical and non-surgical procedures and services, and our commitment to providing this coverage has never wavered. We recognize the past few months has been uncertain for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and we are very pleased to announce this amendment to regulation, so Yukoners can access the care they need and deserve.
Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee
Our government has been working to ensure that the needs of 2SLGBTQIA+ Yukoners are being met and prioritized, and this change is one of the ways we’re reducing barriers and increasing access to gender-affirming care in private clinics.
Minister responsible for the Women and Gender Equity Directorate Jeanie McLean
Yukoners enrolled in the Yukon Health Care Insurance Plan are eligible for coverage for gender-affirming care.
The Yukon Health Care Insurance Plan can now directly cover the costs of services including tracheal shaves, facial feminization, body contouring, vocal surgery and hair removal.
- On March 12, 2021, the Government of Yukon announced changes to significantly improve access to gender-affirming health care, including surgery for Yukoners.
- After announcing the changes, the Yukon government learned regulatory amendments to legislation were needed to provide coverage for gender-affirming care in private clinics.
- The Yukon government made the commitment to enable coverage for these services before the end of 2022.
- The Yukon government has worked closely with health care providers and clients to ensure that any procedures put on pause are rescheduled as quickly as possible to ensure Yukoners don’t lose their spots on wait-lists.
Renée Francoeur
Cabinet Communications
867-334-9194
renee.francoeur@yukon.ca
Samantha Henney
Communications, Health and Social Services
867-332-8321
samantha.henney@yukon.ca