Monetary means played a large role in accessing gender-affirming healthcare. Hormones and therapy often were covered by insurance (if you had it) but surgeries and other medical procedures were not. Some opted to not pursue desired aspects of transition because of monetary limitations and others simply turned to less reliable sources when official channels were cost prohibitive.
[1] Dallas Denny, “Deciding What to Do About Your Gender Dysphoria: Some considerations for those who are thinking about sex reassignment,” pamphlet, 1991, Digital Transgender Archive, https://www.digitaltransgenderarchive.net/files/m900nt641.