GRS surgeons and insurance

[Michelle S.]

Hey everyone!

Sorry to post if this has already been posted before!!

I'm only 8 months into HRT but I've known for years that I would like GRS. I'm a 24 year old college student with 2 kids and a good job but absolutely NO SAVINGS and horrible credit - I know shame on me for not saving and ruining my credit at 18! So my only real hope for getting GRS is through my dad's insurance which I can stay on til I'm 26 since I'm a college student. I will have met my surgery requirements by the time I turn 25.

So now I kind of feel like I'm under the gun to get a plan worked out quickly and I am having a lot of trouble finding resources. I'm fairly knowledgeable about the insurance side of things (what they cover, etc.) but there isn't a ton available on surgeons who accept insurance.  The little I've found is that:

1. Most surgeons DO NOT accept insurance?
2. The majority of those that do, require you to pay upfront and insurance reimburses you?
3. There are only like two that charge through insurance?

I'm really worried and any insight would be very, very appreciated!

Thanks,

Michelle

[bullwinklle]

This thread:

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,109227.0.html

is sticky-ed at the top of the SRS forum. There's quite a bit of information there about GRS and insurance that may answer your questions.

As far as doctors, you'd really have to ask them directly about how and what they accept. Maybe so few accept insurance for GRS because most insurances don't cover it in the first place, and/or it's too much of a hassle for them (the doctor) to deal with.

As far as reimbursement, that depends on your policy as well. You'd want to confirm with the insurance company how they handle things. If they will reimburse you, you may be limited to surgeons in your country.

If it is the case that your insurance policy will reimburse you, you might look into getting a loan co-signed by your parents (if they are willing). CareCredit, for example, has interest-free loans (assuming you qualify, make regular payments and pay off the loan before your term ends) for medical use.