On March 1, 2016 the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) changed the funding criteria for Transition Related Surgery (TRS) to align with the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH)’s internationally accepted standards of care for Gender Dysphoria. Today in Ontario, many qualified healthcare providers can assess patients for surgery.
While training is strongly encouraged to be a qualified provider, providers can assess their own comfort level and competence.
A qualified healthcare provider can be a:
- Nurse Practitioner
- Physician
- Psychologist
- Registered Nurse
- Registered Social Worker (Master’s Degree)
Qualifications can be received through:
- Rainbow Health Ontario
- The WPATH or CPATH (Canadian Professional Association for Transgender Health) conferences
- Working at a healthcare facility that practices trans primary health care in accordance with current WPATH standards
- Having experience in offering trans primary care
- Ongoing training and education on trans health, including the CME-Accredited day-long module developed by Rainbow Health Ontario and Sherbourne Health to support providers in coordinating these referrals
Rainbow Health Ontario’s Service Provider Directory is one place that you can search for a qualified provider.