The Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA) has announced it will be providing insurance coverage for members to undergo transsexual surgeries.
The self-proclaimed “not-for-profit” insurance company, Actra Fraternal Benefit Society (AFBS), covers insurance policies primarily for ACTRA and the Writers Guild of Canada.
ACTRA, a union of over 28,000 professional film, video and new media performers, on its social media Monday announced they “are pleased to share the introduction of the Gender Affirmation Medical Support Benefit.”
ACTRA describes this “fraternal benefit” as “designed to help eligible members on their gender affirmation journey.”
AFBS “is committed to supporting its members in every stage of life,” wrote ACTRA.
Coverage includes “financial support for gender-affirming medical procedures” for members subscribed to the company’s “bronze level” plan or higher and “helps bridge coverage gaps in provincial, territorial and private plan coverage.”
Members can have up to $2,500 of their trans surgery covered per claim, up to $5,000 lifetime coverage.
The policy update went into effect March 1, 2025.
“Active members who are 18 years or older and insured under the members’ Insurance program at the bronze level or higher at the time of application and for at least two years prior” are eligible for trans surgery coverage.
“Members must be under the care of a medical doctor for gender transition and have a diagnosis of gender dysphoria,” states AFBS in its criteria.
“Members must have exhausted all other publicly and privately funded coverage avenues” and “must have undergone medical procedures considered medically necessary for gender transition.”
All surgeries must be later than March 1, and must be performed in Canada, with AFBS pre-approval required.
“The Gender Affirmation Medical Support Benefit covers procedures related to masculinization or feminization but does not cover elective cosmetic enhancement,” states the AFBS website.
“This benefit is a medical support benefit; mental wellness benefits are excluded.”
