Transgender man fights $3,400 hysterectomy bill
Jessiah MacDonald says surgery should be covered by provincial medical plan
CBC News
Posted: Apr 23, 2012 7:36 AM AT
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/story/2012/04/22/ns-hysterectomy-debate.html (http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/story/2012/04/22/ns-hysterectomy-debate.html)
A transgender man in Nova Scotia has filed a human rights complaint after he was handed a $3,400 bill for a hysterectomy that he claims was medically necessary.
In an exclusive interview with the CBC, Jessiah MacDonald said the province's Medical Services Insurance is charging him for sexual reassignment surgery because it doesn't cover that operation.
[...]
He said after he woke up, his doctor gave him a bill for $3,400. He said he was stunned.
"I was fairly angry and I'm sure that was apparent as it was on my face. I'm fairly certain I started crying before they left the room and they couldn't have been in my room for more than 10 minutes tops. It was more like, 'Here's your bill, we'll help you pack your stuff ... please get out.'"
A week later, MacDonald said he discovered that MSI considered his operation sexual reassignment surgery.
Well that sucks. I hope he wins his case.