Gender-affirmation healthcare benefit offerings are on the rise in both Canada and the US. Anne-Marie Nawar, an advisor in group insurance plans and health benefits leader at WTW, says its ‘Canadian Inclusive Benefits Survey’ found 97% of the employers who responded consider inclusion and diversity (I&D) an integral part of their organization's values and culture. The first year of the survey found 21% of employers were currently offering gender affirmation coverage and 44% were considering add
Gender-affirmation healthcare benefit offerings are on the rise in both Canada and the US.
Anne-Marie Nawar, an advisor in group insurance plans and health benefits leader at WTW, says its ‘Canadian Inclusive Benefits Survey’ found 97% of the employers who responded consider inclusion and diversity (I&D) an integral part of their organization's values and culture. The first year of the survey found 21% of employers were currently offering gender affirmation coverage and 44% were considering adding it.
While the insurance carrier market has been developing products, many were within the last year, she said. However, a lot of these procedures would be covered under government Medicare programs, although the coverage will vary by province. Insurance carrier products that could be included in a benefits plan are all supplemental to what would be covered by the government. This would cover things like Adam’s apple reduction and facial femininization or masculinization. “These are beyond what the government program covers,” she said.
The employer benefit program would be brought in to provide coverage for mental health services the employee needs. “That's not something new that would be added to the program, but it would be used in that context,” she said. Plus, in another benefit from COVID, many employers have enhanced mental health services and provide higher maximum coverage limits.
Still, it’s “very much an evolving area in the benefits space,” said Nawar.
In the US, an International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans survey shows these offerings are up from 12% in 2016 to 30% now. "When searching for meaningful employment, individuals look for employers with cultures that resonate. Often this involves inclusiveness and employers that offer a range of benefits to serve a diverse population," says Julie Stich, vice-president of content at the foundation.
Its ‘Employee Benefits Survey: 2022 Results’ shows 27% offer gender-reassignment/affirmation surgery, 25% cover prescription drug therapy (hormone replacement therapy, etc.), and 6% include cosmetic surgery (facial feminization, Adam’s apple reduction, etc.).
"Offering gender-affirmation health care benefits is a way for employers to remain competitive in attracting and retaining talent,” Stich added. “This type of offering reinforces a culture of inclusion and belonging.”
