Activism and Politics > Politics
USG Employees: FEHB and transition
msrobyn-alice:
Hello all,
I would be interested in hearing from USG employees in transition about their experiences with FEHB health insurance. OPM has ruled that transgender employees enjoy all possible non-discrimination protections, but the notorious "transgender exclusion" remains in all FEHB insurance policies. In my case, it took the Foreign Service Benefit Plan (I'm with the State Dept.) nearly a year to add things up and start denying most everything from quarterly blood tests to speech therapy. (I am currently well over a year on HRT and nine months into RLE.) I expected this, of course, and always knew I would be out-of-pocket for most everything beyond the common cold. I've saved for GCS at the expense of TSP retirement savings.
So, what have been your experiences, both bad and good? Shall we hope for a change in FEHB policies?
Best to all,
Robyn
peky:
--- Quote from: msrobyn-alice on August 04, 2012, 10:46:50 am ---Hello all,
I would be interested in hearing from USG employees in transition about their experiences with FEHB health insurance. OPM has ruled that transgender employees enjoy all possible non-discrimination protections, but the notorious "transgender exclusion" remains in all FEHB insurance policies. In my case, it took the Foreign Service Benefit Plan (I'm with the State Dept.) nearly a year to add things up and start denying most everything from quarterly blood tests to speech therapy. (I am currently well over a year on HRT and nine months into RLE.) I expected this, of course, and always knew I would be out-of-pocket for most everything beyond the common cold. I've saved for GCS at the expense of TSP retirement savings.
So, what have been your experiences, both bad and good? Shall we hope for a change in FEHB policies?
Best to all,
Robyn
--- End quote ---
I made some inquires through my channels, and the voice in the aisles is that negotiations on future coverage are centered on details of the covergage.
If Mr. Obama is reelected chances are SRS, HRT, and other procedures will be covered in FY14 or FY 15 at the latest.
However, if Mr. Romney gets elected the chances of getting some coverage are no good. Moreover, it is very likely that Romney would attempt to undo all of Mr. Obama's protection rules.
Voting against the GOP is more crucial than ever.
msrobyn-alice:
I have heard the same through-the-grapevine hopes for FY14. Let's hope they are more than hopes.
At a recent conference of USG LGBT activists that I participated in, the considered opinion was that things had gone too far for a Romney administration to undo "LGBT rights are human rights." Deemphasize, yes; but officially undo, no. As to health benefits, however, I agree with you totally. A GOP administration would put the stake through transgender coverage until the GOP gets voted out.
When it comes to this year's election, I tell all my friends and family to "vote for me" by voting Democrat. If not for this administration and Secretary Clinton, I would not be writing these lines today.
Jamie D:
--- Quote from: peky on August 04, 2012, 11:00:20 am ---I made some inquires through my channels, and the voice in the aisles is that negotiations on future coverage are centered on details of the covergage.
If Mr. Obama is reelected chances are SRS, HRT, and other procedures will be covered in FY14 or FY 15 at the latest.
However, if Mr. Romney gets elected the chances of getting some coverage are no good. Moreover, it is very likely that Romney would attempt to undo all of Mr. Obama's protection rules.
Voting against the GOP is more crucial than ever.
--- End quote ---
Peky, this is totally unsubstantiated speculation. Any regulations promulgated by the Executive branch of the government must conform to the laws on the subject passed by the Congress.
peky:
--- Quote from: Jamie D on August 04, 2012, 02:15:09 pm ---Peky, this is totally unsubstantiated speculation.
--- End quote ---
JamieD,
Exactly which statement is "unsubstantiated speculation" ?
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