Gender-Affirming Surgeries

Check if your procedure is covered

1. Most gender-affirming procedures are covered under UC SHIP. You can find information about what gender-affirming surgeries are covered by UC SHIP on the 2024-25 UC SHIP Transgender Benefits Flyer. Find more resources on Student Health’s Trans Health Care page.
2. Non-surgical procedures such as electrolysis or laser hair removal are eligible for reimbursement rather than direct insurance coverage.

Get a referral

You must get a referral from your Student Health primary care physician before receiving any services outside of Student Health, including gender-affirming surgeries.

Acquire a letter of readiness

Your insurance and/or surgeon may require one or two letters from certified mental health professionals to approve your gender-affirming surgery. Under UC SHIP, gender-affirming surgeries require one letter for precertification. Please check with your surgeon’s office about letter requirements before committing to a surgery date. Check out the Letters of Readiness section below for more details on how to get your letter(s) written.

Find a surgeon/provider:

1. If you want insurance to cover your procedure, it is important to select a surgeon that is in-network with UC SHIP. If your surgeon is an Anthem Blue Cross in-network provider, then your insurance will cover 80% after you have met your annual deductible. There are currently no in-network surgeons who offer gender-affirming surgeries in the Santa Barbara area which means you will likely have to travel. Here are a few ways to find an in-network surgeon:
   1. Meet with a social worker at student health who can give you a list of providers, walk you through the approval process, and answer most insurance-related questions. 
   2. Refer to UC SHIP’s Transgender Provider list which can be found on this page. Access the 2024-25 version here!
   3. Use your UC SHIP information to login to Anthem’s website and use the provider search tool to find possible surgeons. 
2. Consider booking consultations with multiple surgeons to make sure you find the right fit. Consultations with in-network providers will have a $25 copay. Once you find a surgeon that you trust and feel comfortable booking with, the surgeon’s office will collect any necessary paperwork and help you select a surgery date.

Cost and Payment:

1. Costs for gender-affirming surgeries vary widely by procedure, location, provider, and insurance coverage. It is difficult to get an accurate estimate of costs before surgery. Talking to your surgeon’s office and the hospital/surgery center about estimated costs will help you prepare. If you anticipate difficulty paying for your procedure, refer to our Medical Financial Help page. 
2. Many surgeons/hospitals will require you to pay the estimated cost a few days before the surgery. Ask about a payment plan if needed. After surgery, your insurance may update the cost based on how the procedure went (complications, anesthesia, nausea medication, etc.) and any discounts you might qualify for. You could receive a partial refund or be asked to pay the difference depending on what adjustments are made.
3. UCSHIP's Out of Pocket Maximum for each academic/coverage year is $6,600. This means once you spend $6,600 out of pocket on covered health services (procedures, prescriptions, copayments), your plan will cover 100% for the rest of the year. This limit resets on the first day of each fall quarter.

Transportation:

Hospitals and surgery centers require you to have a designated driver before going through with surgery. This person will need to check you in, pick you up, and drive you home from surgery. Many hospitals will refuse your operation if you do not have a designated care person and will not let you leave the hospital after surgery without that person present. Public transportation or rideshare services will not fill this requirement. If you can’t find reliable transportation, consider reaching out to the Trans@UCSB group chat.