What companies pay for top surgery?
- Anthem BC (Anthem Blue Cross)
- Blue Shield.
- Blue Cross.
- Aetna.
- Aetna (Student Services for University of California System)
- Cigna.
- United Health Care.
- Brown & Toland HMO.
Our insured plans will cover gender reassignment surgery when medically necessary.
- Have persistent, well-documented gender dysphoria.
- Be able to make a fully informed decision and to consent to treatment.
- Have reached legal age to make health care decisions in your country (age of majority or age 18 in the U.S.)
Today, California is still one of the most popular places in the country to go for Top Surgery, boasting more than 50 surgeons offering the procedure. California Medicaid (Medi-Cal) covers Top Surgery and finding a surgeon who takes Medi-Cal can be a challenge.
In general, the cost of FTM Top Surgery ranges from $6000–$10,000 USD. This may or may not include consultation fees, hidden fees and medical supplies.
Keep in mind that procedures deemed medically appropriate are covered, while cosmetic procedures are not. For example, top surgery can be proven as medically appropriate. Liposuction cannot.
More than cosmetic surgery, FTM Top Surgery and other GRS procedures are medically required. FTM Top Surgery is a type of chest masculinization derived from subcutaneous mastectomy that uses specific techniques to create male contours.
Federal and state law prohibits most public and private health plans from discriminating against you because you are transgender. This means, with few exceptions, that it is illegal discrimination for your health insurance plan to refuse to cover medically necessary transition-related care.
Though most individuals undergoing top surgery are 18 or older, younger individuals may be considered for the procedure if the patient, their legal guardians, and their mental health professional are in agreement that top surgery is appropriate.
The BMI number used varies among plastic surgeons performing these procedures. It can be 40 and above, 35 and above or even lower.
How painful is top surgery?
Pain. You may experience some discomfort for a few days after surgery, but generally after four to five days your pain will ease and can be managed with over-the-counter acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Dressings and drains. You will have dressings and possibly drains in place when you leave the hospital.
For people to undergo top surgery, according to WPATH, they must meet these criteria: The person has persistent gender dysphoria that has been well-documented by a qualified mental health professional. They are able to make a fully informed decision and provide their consent for the treatment.

Because chest reconstruction top surgery is a major procedure, you will need to take time off from work and other normal routines to rest and recuperate. Most patients feel up to resuming sedentary work and very light physical activity within 7 to 9 days.
What is Actual Top Surgery Cost FTM? The cost of FTM Top Surgery can vary widely depending on the surgeon you choose, their location, and the type of procedure you have. In general, the surgery itself will cost between $5000 - $10,000 USD. This price range does not usually include consultation fees.
This is to lessen the amount of swelling you experience, which may worsen in the first few days after surgery before getting better. Plan to sleep on your back for the first 6 weeks after surgery while your chest heals.
Walking for exercise is typically started two days after surgery. Think leisurely stroll excessive arm swinging might bother the incision(s). A good goal for the first couple of weeks after surgery would be 1,000 steps per day.
- Online personal loan.
- Credit union personal loan.
- Credit card.
- CareCredit.
- Home equity line of credit.
- Family loan.
No driving until off sedating pain medication and able to move arms safely; usually 1-2 weeks after surgery.
Once your insurance company receives all the required information and documentation, it takes four to six weeks to get approval. Thanks to our dedicated insurance coordinators, they may reduce this time.
But new research shows that having a high BMI is not a major risk factor in top surgery. A 2021 study from Georgetown University found that although rates of minor complications are higher for patients with obesity, acute complications from top surgery are comparable for patients with and without obesity.
How do you get diagnosed with gender dysphoria?
To be diagnosed with gender dysphoria as a teenager or adult, you must have experienced significant distress for at least six months due to at least two of the following: marked incongruence between your experienced and expressed gender and your primary or secondary sex characteristics.
They will gradually fade and flatten over time. The final appearance of your scars may not be apparent for 12-18 months.
Patients are able to sleep on their side about 2-3 weeks after surgery, after the bandages and binder have come off. Patients should NOT sleep on their stomach until 3 weeks after surgery, when any nipple graft healing has stabilized.
This surgery is performed under general anesthesia. That means that you will be unconscious for the entire procedure.
One study showed that 94%-100% of patients who underwent sex reassignment surgery found their results satisfactory depending on the type of procedure they had. Another study found that only 1% of participants regretted getting sex reassignment surgery.
Insurance companies deny procedures that they believe are more expensive or invasive than safer, cheaper, or more effective alternatives. It is possible that your insurer simply does not know about the procedure or that some other error has been committed, rather than a bad faith denial.
Some insurance companies do cover facial feminization. Out of the common gender affirming procedures performed in the United States, facial feminization is less likely to be covered than others. Many insurance companies have stipulations that they will only cover procedures for gender identifying characteristics.
FTM/N Top Surgery Myths in Conclusion
You do not have to be on testosterone in order to get top surgery. Your top surgery won't always be denied by insurance. Although sometimes that is the case it is always worth trying, or appealing (if it gets denied).
Because teenagers in most states must be 18 before they can provide medical consent, surgeons require parental consent and approval letters from mental health care providers. The two- to four-hour procedure costs anywhere from $9,000 to $17,000, depending on facility and anesthesia fees.
Generally, the cost of FTM top surgery methods across Canada ranges from $4,000 to $12,000. This estimated cost may or may not include consultation fees. A down payment is usually required to secure your surgery date, and usually covers 10% to 50% of the cost.
How to raise money for top surgery?
- Create and sell original art. Use your talents to get surgery sponsors. ...
- Throw a party! ...
- Get goofy. ...
- Itemize out what your surgery expenses are. ...
- Use significant numbers. ...
- Rent or sell stuff you don't need.
- Anthem Blue Cross.
- Blue Shield.
- Aetna.
- Cigna.
- United Health Insurance.
- Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Medical.
- Cash and Credit Card Payments. Some patients choose to pay cash installments or make payments on their credit card for their FFS procedures. ...
- Personal Loans from Credit Unions. For those who qualify, some credit unions will provide loans for FFS procedures. ...
- Health Insurance.
Though most individuals undergoing top surgery are 18 or older, younger individuals may be considered for the procedure if the patient, their legal guardians, and their mental health professional are in agreement that top surgery is appropriate.
Insurance Companies Mandate that You Have a Therapist Letter
If you are seeking insurance coverage for your top surgery, all insurance companies presently require that you have a letter written by a therapist with specified qualifications.
Because chest reconstruction top surgery is a major procedure, you will need to take time off from work and other normal routines to rest and recuperate. Most patients feel up to resuming sedentary work and very light physical activity within 7 to 9 days.
It can include lip and cheekbone augmentation, relocating the hairline to create a smaller forehead, contouring and resizing the jaw and chin, and so on. The total Male to Female Feminization surgery cost may go up from $9,000 to $ 12,000.
How long does facial feminization surgery last? If you get a comprehensive FFS as a single surgery, it can take eight to nine hours. Some surgeons recommend splitting the procedures into two surgeries, separated by seven to 10 days or longer.
Procedure | Prices |
---|---|
Facial Feminization Surgery | 6,500 - 9,500 US$ |