Alberta
If you live in Alberta, some forms of hormone therapy are covered through the Alberta Drug Benefit List. Coverage depends on your eligibility for a provincial drug program (such as Non-Group Coverage, Alberta Adult Health Benefit, Income Support, or Seniors Coverage) or your private insurance plan. Injectable testosterone, oral estrogen, and anti-androgens are generally covered under provincial drug plans. Topical testosterone and topical or injectable estrogen are generally not covered.
Some anti-androgens require Special Authorization before they are covered. If your prescribed medication requires Special Authorization, your Foria clinician can submit the necessary paperwork on your behalf and send the approval to your preferred pharmacy when it has been processed.
British Columbia
If you live in British Columbia, some forms of hormone therapy are covered by National PharmaCare. These are injectable testosterone, and oral and topical estrogen. Topical and injectable estrogen and testosterone, and anti-androgens are not covered.
Most residents with MSP are eligible for at least one PharmaCare plan. If you're enrolled in MSP, you're automatically covered by National PharmaCare.
Injectable testosterone requires Special Authority, meaning the prescriber submits information showing why that medication is medically appropriate before PharmaCare will cover it. Foria clinicians can submit this form for you and send the approval to your preferred pharmacy when it has been processed.
Ontario
If you live in Ontario, some forms of hormone therapy are covered by the Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) program. These are topical and injectable testosterone, oral estrogen and anti-androgens. Topical and injectable estrogen are not covered.
ODB includes Ontario Works (OW), the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), people over 65 years of age, people under 24 years of age without private insurance (via OHIP+) and those on the Trillium Drug Program. Your co-pay (the amount you pay after your insurance coverage) will vary depending on factors like your income and the sub-program you are enrolled on.
Getting your medication covered is a different process depending on which medicines you take. Estradiol and anti-androgens are automatically covered and need no extra paperwork. Injectable and topical testosterone are covered with the submission of a form to the Exceptional Access Program (EAP). Foria clinicians can submit this form for you and send the approval to your preferred pharmacy when it has been processed.
Private insurance
Hormone therapy is also covered by some private insurance programs but this can vary. If you have private insurance, speak to your provider about coverage.
Out of pocket
If you’re paying out of pocket, this is roughly how much you can expect to pay for 4 week supply of medications. These are based on average doses and don’t include pharmacy fees. You should contact your pharmacy directly to inquire about exact costs to you.
- Estrogen (pill) – $39
- Estrogen (patch) – $53
- Estrogen (injectable) – $40
- Anti-androgens – $13-18
- Testosterone (gel) – $67
- Testosterone (injectable) – $14-29
Connect Fund
For patients experiencing financial barriers, we partner with Connect Fund, which may be able to assist eligible individuals with medication costs.