Wawanesa adds gender affirmation benefits to group life and health coverage
September 14, Winnipeg, MB - To help support members through their gender transition and affirmation journeys, the Wawanesa Life Insurance Company (Wawanesa Life) has added a range of new Gender Affirmation benefits available on their Group Benefits plans.
“We want to help organizations provide the kinds of benefits that serve the diverse needs of modern workplaces,” said Wawanesa’s SVP & Chief Operating Officer, Wawanesa Life, Jocelyne Prefontaine. “With the addition of Gender Affirmation benefits to our group life and health insurance plans, we can help more of our group life plan members get the supports they need to affirm their gender in the way they want. This addition to our group life plans also helps our Plan Sponsors advance their commitments in meeting their diversity, equity, and inclusion goals for their members/employees.”
Wawanesa Life added Gender Affirmation benefits as an option as of July 1, 2023. These benefits will reimburse surgical expenses that are beyond what is typically included within a plan design and help fill the gaps with what’s not covered through provincial or territorial health care plans.
Wawanesa’s Gender Affirmation coverage includes a $10,000 lifetime maximum for surgical procedures, such as:
- Vocal cord surgery
- Tracheal shave
- Facial feminization
- Nose surgery
- Face/eye lift surgery
- Hair removal or hair transplants/implant
As of July 1, 2023, Gender Affirmation benefits can be added to any existing Choice, Custom or Beneshield group on or off renewal, with no pricing adjustment. Wawanesa Life will continue to explore offering these benefits broadly across their entire block through the remainder of 2023.
About The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company
The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company, founded in 1896, is one of Canada’s largest mutual insurers, with over $4 billion in annual revenue and assets of nearly $12 billion. Wawanesa Mutual, with executive offices in Winnipeg, is the parent company of Wawanesa General, which offers property and casualty insurance in California and Oregon; Wawanesa Life, which provides life insurance products and services throughout Canada; and Western Financial Group, which distributes personal and business insurance across Canada. Wawanesa proudly serves more than two million members in Canada and the United States. Wawanesa actively gives back to organizations that strengthen communities where it operates, donating well above internationally recognized benchmarks for excellence in corporate philanthropy. Learn more at wawanesa.com.
Media Contacts:
Brad Hartle, Wawanesa Insurance
(844) 946-6282 or media@wawanesa.com