FTM's and Transitioning

[DamonK]

Originally Posted by Linus

Actually, DamonK is in the same boat as me. You have to get two doctors to write that it's a medical necessity. Although Aetna covers it, it doesn't explicitly say just go and do. There are some hoops to go through. My company recently switched to Aetna (thank you Anthem for trying to jack up rates 800%!) and the doctor I'm seeing (out of network) is good and very trans friendly but I may try to find a doctor that is in network and trans friendly (not always possible). At the least, this doctor I'm going to ask if she can recommend a surgeon or two since she's known to the transmen community here.

I'd like to go to the one that Theo recommended but I don't know if that would then be covered by insurance or not.

Exactly. And since the docs work at a catholic based place, it makes it even harder for me.

[Linus]

Originally Posted by DamonK

Exactly. And since the docs work at a catholic based place, it makes it even harder for me.

Since the therapist is trans friendly would they perhaps know of a doctor that is also trans friendly that could help?

[Greyson]

To the guys who may be getting the "Run Around" from your insurance companies regarding Top Surgery. I experienced some of the same frustrations. I am not trying to be insensitive to your plight and here is how I got around it. I decided to save up the money and pay out of pocket. It took a few years to put the money together but in the end, for me, it was gratifying. I took back the control over my own body.

I know this may not be an immediate solution while you are negotiating your way through the maze of documentation, paperwork required by medical providers. It may seem impossible to save that kind of money, the cost is approximately $10,000 but just putting something aside may also offer you some sense of control over your own individual life and the direction your life moves forward. Good luck.

[Thinker]

Originally Posted by Greyson

To the guys who may be getting the "Run Around" from your insurance companies regarding Top Surgery. I experienced some of the same frustrations. I am not trying to be insensitive to your plight and here is how I got around it. I decided to save up the money and pay out of pocket. It took a few years to put the money together but in the end, for me, it was gratifying. I took back the control over my own body.

I know this may not be an immediate solution while you are negotiating your way through the maze of documentation, paperwork required by medical providers. It may seem impossible to save that kind of money, the cost is approximately $10,000 but just putting something aside may also offer you some sense of control over your own individual life and the direction your life moves forward. Good luck.

Same here. Insurance coverage was not ever going to be an option for me.....not at that particular point in my life anyway. And like you, I totally get how daunting (and possibly impossible) it may be. I gave up everything but the basics for a while in order to save the money.

I also know of a guy who said 'screw it' and took out a loan. He got himself in a position with his budget where he could make the monthly payments and went for it.

In the meantime, I wish you all the very best with your efforts to make this happen.

[T D]

Same for me, I have no intentions of even trying to get my health care insurance to pay for top surgery. It's just not going to happen. Soooo, working on getting the money together to pay for it myself. Kaiser does have someone on board now in S.F. who can perform such surgeries, but it's like their cosmetic surgeries where the patient is responsible for the costs. Not covered by insurance.

[Jet]

Originally Posted by T D

Same for me, I have no intentions of even trying to get my health care insurance to pay for top surgery. It's just not going to happen. Soooo, working on getting the money together to pay for it myself. Kaiser does have someone on board now in S.F. who can perform such surgeries, but it's like their cosmetic surgeries where the patient is responsible for the costs. Not covered by insurance.

Other than that, how's your progress, TD?

[DamonK]

Well, like I said.. the doc is trans-friendly. It doesn't mean he's THAT trans-friendly, and quite frankly, top surgery is the least of my worries.

The health related one, which also will lead to transition, is.

[Leigh]

I went today and paid for My name change so within 4-6 weeks I'll officially be Matthew

[Sam]

Originally Posted by T D

Same for me, I have no intentions of even trying to get my health care insurance to pay for top surgery. It's just not going to happen. Soooo, working on getting the money together to pay for it myself. Kaiser does have someone on board now in S.F. who can perform such surgeries, but it's like their cosmetic surgeries where the patient is responsible for the costs. Not covered by insurance.

this is exactly where i started. we had the best insurance. and although they picked up all Avery's surgeries, because he was born with cleft/cranio, instead of fighting i just finally did it on my own.

insurance doesnt even pay for the T. i pay out of pocket for everything.

there is a dr in nyc that does some surgeries for a fraction of the cost if you can prove you dont have the resources and sometimes doesnt charge you at all.

[Packin'Boi]

Originally Posted by Sam

this is exactly where i started. we had the best insurance. and although they picked up all Avery's surgeries, because he was born with cleft/cranio, instead of fighting i just finally did it on my own.

insurance doesnt even pay for the T. i pay out of pocket for everything.

there is a dr in nyc that does some surgeries for a fraction of the cost if you can prove you dont have the resources and sometimes doesnt charge you at all.

I'd like to know who this doc is in NYC... do you have anymore info,Sam?

[Sam]

Originally Posted by Packin'Boi

I'd like to know who this doc is in NYC... do you have anymore info,Sam?

Packin, good to see you.

I will find out his name. i read the story a few months back about him doing a free surgery to a ftm from philly.

i will find it and put it out here.

it said if i remember correctly he does 3 a month for the "less fortunate"

i just took it as the ones that can only go so far, with wanting/needing surgery

[Thinker]

Originally Posted by Thinker

Same here. Insurance coverage was not ever going to be an option for me.....not at that particular point in my life anyway. And like you, I totally get how daunting (and possibly impossible) it may be. I gave up everything but the basics for a while in order to save the money.

I also know of a guy who said 'screw it' and took out a loan. He got himself in a position with his budget where he could make the monthly payments and went for it.

In the meantime, I wish you all the very best with your efforts to make this happen.

This article reminded me of the conversations here about saving for something so meaningful.

A "spending fast"!!!! I love it!

http://money.cnn.com/2011/01/14/pf/a...x.htm?hpt=Sbin

[Logicaly]

So I went into the doctor's today for a follow up, they have done tons of blood work lately and while my cholesterol is a little high, 9 points over what they would like, I got my first T prescription today!

I just need to wait for it to arrive in the mail, and I have an appointment on Tuesday to learn how to self inject, and for my partner to do it as well.

In the mean time, I also need to work on getting my cholesterol down more.

[atomiczombie]

My voice is really changing now. People are noticing and commenting. Yay!

Way to go Logicaly, good luck with the T.

[Rufusboi]

Originally Posted by Logicaly

So I went into the doctor's today for a follow up, they have done tons of blood work lately and while my cholesterol is a little high, 9 points over what they would like, I got my first T prescription today!

I just need to wait for it to arrive in the mail, and I have an appointment on Tuesday to learn how to self inject, and for my partner to do it as well.

In the mean time, I also need to work on getting my cholesterol down more.

Logically

Glad to hear you were prescribed T.

After having all my blood work I also found out I had high cholesterol. When my doctor prescribed my T six months ago he also prescribed cholesterol pills. The last time I had a check-up with blood work my cholesterol was lower and my T level was fine. Get your cholesterol lowered and you will be fine.

Rufus

[theoddz]

I don't remember if I've posted this before and if I have, I'm sorry for being redundant.

A good natural, non-prescription way to control cholesterol is Niacin . You can buy it over the counter at any drug store, health food/vitamin store or...ugh...Walmart. You should get the timed release or long acting type, such as "Niaspan". A typical therapeutic dose of this stuff is usually around 500 mg. Twice a day. Even the sustained release stuff can cause hot flashes or flushing, but if you stick to it, your body should get used to it after awhile. I found that my cholesterol went down appreciably after adding niacin to my diet.

Good luck to everyone fighting the cholesterol war!!

Theo