Insurance and post-op life

[AlexCallende]

Hi, everyone.

It's been a while since I've posted anything on Susan's.  So many wonderful (and sometimes sad) changes have occurred and I am trying to keep it positive.

I have a question for those who have had MTF SRS.  After you've completely transitioned (in paper), is it wise to declare on your private health insurance application that you've had SRS in the past 5 years?

I am currently out of work and was looking into getting some kind of individual insurance.  Does anyone here have any experience/encounter with this?

Thank you so very much!

Alex

[Stephe]

Hi, everyone.

It's been a while since I've posted anything on Susan's.  So many wonderful (and sometimes sad) changes have occurred and I am trying to keep it positive.

I have a question for those who have had MTF SRS.  After you've completely transitioned (in paper), is it wise to declare on your private health insurance application that you've had SRS in the past 5 years?

I am currently out of work and was looking into getting some kind of individual insurance.  Does anyone here have any experience/encounter with this?

Thank you so very much!

Alex

I'm going to assume you're in the US.

There are two problems here: if you don't disclose this and something major happens (breast cancer lets say), they will research your background, find this out and then dump you saying you lied, return your payments and not cover you. Then you will never find anyone to cover you because you have breast cancer. This happens quite often and they employ persons just to do this sort of investigating when a large claim comes in.

But, if you disclose this, they likely either won't cover you OR the rates will be insanely high. Trying to get insurance as a single party in the US today is a joke, unless you are 100% healthy, never had any type of illness and aren't too old. I've tried several times, just given up and hope nothing bad happens even though I am basically a healthy person. They always ask "Have you ever have psychiatric therapy?" of course we all have to even get on HRT and the insurance people consider this a "mental disorder" and have no interest in insuring us.

I'm not sure -what- the solution to the present state of health care in this country is but what we have now is totally broken unless you work for a large company that provides group coverage as part of employment. 

[Ms. OBrien CVT]

I'm going to assume you're in the US.

There are two problems here: if you don't disclose this and something major happens (breast cancer lets say), they will research your background, find this out and then dump you saying you lied, return your payments and not cover you. Then you will never find anyone to cover you because you have breast cancer. This happens quite often and they employ persons just to do this sort of investigating when a large claim comes in.

But, if you disclose this, they likely either won't cover you OR the rates will be insanely high. Trying to get insurance as a single party in the US today is a joke, unless you are 100% healthy, never had any type of illness and aren't too old. I've tried several times, just given up and hope nothing bad happens even though I am basically a healthy person. They always ask "Have you ever have psychiatric therapy?" of course we all have to even get on HRT and the insurance people consider this a "mental disorder" and have no interest in insuring us.

I'm not sure -what- the solution to the present state of health care in this country is but what we have now is totally broken unless you work for a large company that provides group coverage as part of employment.

Would not the health care act prohibit insurers from not covering preexisting conditions?

[Stephe]

But the health care act is evil haven't you heard?

Yes you are right, it would solve many of the problem as pre-existing conditions wouldn't apply. Nor would they be asking the sorts of questions the OP is concerned with. Nor would they be able to kick people like they do now when they have a big claim.  I guess it's bad for the insurance companies though, they have a lot of money to lobby with so some people are fighting against this change as "Being socialist", "It takes away our freedom" etc.. What I find odd are some of the people who are against this change are in my position of not having any health coverage because of the broken system we now have.

[Ms. OBrien CVT]

Of all the first world countries, only the USA does not have a national health care system.  And why?  Powerful insurance and pharmaceutic lobbyists.  And they floor the airways and media outlets will the "socialized" twisted lies.

[Ave]

Of all the first world countries, only the USA does not have a national health care system.  And why?  Powerful insurance and pharmaceutic lobbyists.  And they floor the airways and media outlets will the "socialized" twisted lies.

SOCIALIST THREAD!!!

[AlexCallende]

I'm going to assume you're in the US.

There are two problems here: if you don't disclose this and something major happens (breast cancer lets say), they will research your background, find this out and then dump you saying you lied, return your payments and not cover you. Then you will never find anyone to cover you because you have breast cancer. This happens quite often and they employ persons just to do this sort of investigating when a large claim comes in.

But, if you disclose this, they likely either won't cover you OR the rates will be insanely high. Trying to get insurance as a single party in the US today is a joke, unless you are 100% healthy, never had any type of illness and aren't too old. I've tried several times, just given up and hope nothing bad happens even though I am basically a healthy person. They always ask "Have you ever have psychiatric therapy?" of course we all have to even get on HRT and the insurance people consider this a "mental disorder" and have no interest in insuring us.

I'm not sure -what- the solution to the present state of health care in this country is but what we have now is totally broken unless you work for a large company that provides group coverage as part of employment.

Hi, Stephe.

Thank you for replying.

Yes, I am in the US, based in California.  I actually was able to get a Healthy San Francisco membership through my husband.  But I was still thinking that with the little money we have saved, it might be a good idea to get private health insurance, just in case.

My husband insists on declaring the SRS.  And since I am foreign-born, I actually never had to go to a psychiatrist here in the US in order for me to undergo SRS. 

I have tried to read the exclusions in the policy, and it does include "sex change" (rather crudely put, I think).  Though I am aware that they would still medically underwrite my application.

Would not the health care act prohibit insurers from not covering preexisting conditions?

That's correct, Ms. OBrien!  But that part of the "Obamacare" does not kick in until January 2014.  And provided that Mitt Romney doesn't win.

[sonopoly]

I'm in in the life insurance business (by necessity, not choice), and don't think srs shortens ones life and therefore shouldn't affect your rating.  I think the concern would be the hormones you are taking, as thosr might have an impact on life expectancy.  Not sure though about this.  I'll try to find out on Monday, if you'd like.

[Stephe]

I believe they are talking about health insurance, not life insurance.

[sonopoly]

Oops, sorry.  I wouldn't disclose for health insurance unless required.

Thanks, Steph for alerting me to my error!