Gender-Affirming Benefits

SHIP Gender-Affirming Benefits 2026-27

Scheduling Appointments at UHS

  • Gender-affirming services and hormone therapy appointments with a primary care provider can be scheduled through MyUCBerkeleyHealth. Visit the Transgender Care page for more details.
  • If you need assistance, call (510) 642-2000 and select Option 2 to schedule an appointment. Please specify "Trans/Gender Diverse Care" when requesting an appointment.  

Referrals 

Referrals are not required in order to seek care outside of the Tang Center. Some outside providers may require a referral from your primary care physician at UHS prior to scheduling an appointment with their office. If you receive a referral from a UHS provider, we strongly recommend that you schedule a free consultation appointment with the SHIP Trans Care Benefits Team to discuss the SHIP gender-affirming benefits, how to locate in-network providers and go over any questions you may have. 

Benefits & Coverage

Service In-network Out-of-network1,2
Hormone therapy $15 co-pay per office visit 50% after deductible
Electrolysis or laser hair removal (full body) 1, 3 20% after deductible 50% after deductible
Tracheal shave 1 20% after deductible 50% after deductible
Bottom surgery, top surgery, hysterectomy, or gender affirming facial surgery (including facial feminization surgery) 1, 2 20% after deductible 50% after deductible
Speech therapy (vocal training) or physical therapy 1, 4
  • $15 co-pay; then 20% after deductible or
  • 20% after deductible
 50% after deductible
Fertility preservation
  • $15 co-pay for consultation 
  • 20% after deductible for fertility preservation expenses and annual storage costs 1, 2
 50% after deductible

1Deductible: Subject to the plan year deductible of $450.

2Pre-certification: Pre-certification is required prior to receiving services to determine medical necessity for all inpatient gender-affirming services and outpatient services with out-of-network providers (with a letter of support from a qualified mental health professional). Failure to obtain prior-approval will result in claims being denied. The provider of service may request pre-certification by calling Aetna Student Health Customer Service at (866) 639-3703.

Note: Pre-certification is not required for outpatient services with in-network providers.

3Electrolysis & laser hair removal:

  • Laser hair removal may be performed by a dermatologist in the Aetna Open Choice PPO network.
  • As there are limited in-network electrolysis or laser hair removal providers, services rendered with an out-of-network provider will be covered at the in-network benefit level of the actual charge.
  • Laser hair removal and electrolysis services cannot be performed simultaneously for the same body area at the same time. However, laser hair removal and electrolysis services can be performed simultaneously for separate body areas. 

4For in-network speech therapy or physical therapy:

  • Claims billed with a primary medical diagnosis has a $15 co-pay per visit, then covered at 80% after the deductible is met.
  • Claims billed with a primary mental or behavioral health diagnosis are covered under the “Mental Health Other Outpatient Treatment” at 80% after the deductible is met.

To learn more about your benefits, contact the SHIP Trans Care Benefits Team at (510) 642-5700 or Aetna Student Health Customer Service at (866) 639-3703.

Travel & Lodging 

Aetna will reimburse the member and the member’s travel companion for travel and lodging expenses when traveling at least 100 miles or more is needed to the nearest provider to access eligible health services in connection with an authorized gender affirming surgery performed at a hospital or surgery center.

Before incurring travel and lodging expenses, contact Aetna Student Health Customer Service at (866) 639-3703 and Aetna can guide you through the process and confirm if you are eligible for this benefit.

Benefit  Coverage
Travel expenses for each surgical procedure Limited to 6 trips
U.S. domestic travel expenses (roundtrip coach airfare, bus fare, or train fare) to 48 contiguous states Up to $250 for each person
Lodging expenses $100 maximum per day, up to 21 days per trip for each person
Other reasonble expesnes (i.e., mnileage, parking, and toll) $25 maximum per day, up to 21 days per trip for each person

For more information about benefits and exclusions, refer to the Aetna Plan Design and Benefit Summary.

Finding Providers 

The SHIP Office also maintains a list of in-network providers specializing in gender-affirming services near campus.

To find more providers outside the Tang Center, visit the Aetna website and log into your member account or search as a guest in the "Open Choice PPO" network under "Student Health Medical Plans in California".

Reimbursement

Gender-affirming Services

If you receive services with an out-of-network provider, you may file a claim for reimbursement within 1 year from the date of service. Follow the steps below:

  1. Complete the Aetna medical form 

  2. Provide an itemized statement with date of services, billed amount, and provider information 

  3. Provide proof of payment 

  4. Submit the claim by:

    • Fax to (859) 455-8650

    • Mail to Aetna, PO Box 981106, El Paso, TX 79998

Travel and Lodging Expenses

  1. Contact Aetna at (866) 639-3703 to obtain the travel and lodging claim form 

  2. Provide itemized, legible copies of all applicable receipts. Credit card slips are not acceptable. 

  3. Submit the claim tby:

    • Fax to (859) 455-8650

    • Mail to Aetna, PO Box 981106, El Paso, TX 79998

Surgery Cost-sharing

  • In-network providers: SHIP members are responsible for the $450 plan year deductible and 20% co-insurance, up to the in-network out-of-pocket maximum of $5,000 per plan year.
  • Out-of-network providers: SHIP members are responsible for the $450 plan year deductible and 50% co-insurance, up to the out-of-network out-of-pocket maximum of $10,000 per plan year. Please note, all charges over the allowable amount are the member’s responsibility and does not contribute to the out-of-pocket maximum.

If you don't have SHIP

SHIP Gender-Affirming & Fertility Preservation Providers

Fertility Preservation Benefits Flyer

Questions?

  • Contact the SHIP Trans Care Benefits Team at (510) 642-5700 or by sending a secure message in MyUCBerkeleyHealth.

More Information