Contemplating SRS in early 2014

[Jamie D]

I definitely had my heart set on Brassard and paying for it out of pocket, but today I spoke with Anthem Blue Cross and they had a no deductible + 4,000 max out of pocket HMO plan.

They (Anthem) also publicly released benefit options for gender transition, which includes SRS and hormone therapy (among other things) as covered medical treatments. The woman I talked to was able to pull it up, but she did not know at first and tried to tell me that SRS is a cosmetic procedure. She stood corrected and was really nice about it.

She's checking to see if any of my medical doctors (general medicine, endocrinologist, brassard) would be directly covered by the HMO plan including the newly released benefits. I have a feeling it will turn up zilch, but worth a try I guess.

I also just got an email back from Brassard's office; they do not deal with any insurance companies.

So, I don't know. It's looking like I may just get the cheapest insurance possible to be legal with obamacare- unless I want to consider McGinn or another US surgeon (if I could even get coverage out of state). I will probably end up just doing it the original plan: of out of pocket with Brassard. It's a very important surgery to me, which means I'd be happier having my preference in doctor versus just being less $$.

Could you submit your receipts from Brassard, or another doctor, and receive a partial reimbursement from the insurance company, under the out-of-network "usual, customary, and reasonable" clauses?

[Jennygirl]

So I decided that I really don't give a crud if insurance + Bowers is a lower cost. I had my heart set on Brassard and I'm going to stick to that. Not that I don't think Bowers would do an excellent job, I just know that Brassard is perfect for me and I do not want to be second guessing a single part of this decision.

If I work really hard I should be able to do it in April anyway, so here I go!

I just emailed their office, going to try to get my date scheduled ASAP. Hopefully the wait period isn't too long. I would love to still be able to make it to burning man this year

[Catherine Sarah]

Good on you, Jenny. Go for it girl.

Huggs and all the very best
Catherine

[mrs izzy]

So I decided that I really don't give a crud if insurance + Bowers is a lower cost. I had my heart set on Brassard and I'm going to stick to that. Not that I don't think Bowers would do an excellent job, I just know that Brassard is perfect for me and I do not want to be second guessing a single part of this decision.

If I work really hard I should be able to do it in April anyway, so here I go!

I just emailed their office, going to try to get my date scheduled ASAP. Hopefully the wait period isn't too long. I would love to still be able to make it to burning man this year

Wait time for Brassard,  i think they are running around 3 month.

Isabell

[Jennygirl]

Good on you, Jenny. Go for it girl.

Huggs and all the very best
Catherine

thank you!!

Wait time for Brassard,  i think they are running around 3 month.

Isabell

Yeah that's what they said the last time I emailed them some months ago. Hopefully it's still like that!

I called my mom today on a break at work and to my surprise she seemed really excited to talk about it. She wants to come to Montreal at some point and fly me back to Ohio where she wants to take care of me for a while. I get all warm and fuzzy thinking about it and had to share

[Jill F]

Aww!

My mom came to take care of me for a week a couple of years ago after some pretty gnarly surgery.  It was so awesome having my mom here to make sure I was OK, like when I was a kid with the flu.  Moms rock.   

My mom is from Ohio too. 

I wish you all the happiness in the world.

[mrs izzy]

Having the extra help at home is a good thing. Your first few weeks home are full of your personal care and does not leave much time for other things in life.

Just a personal note, if you can come to montreal a few days before hand the old part of the city is worth the look. Not sure after you will be up much to walking around.

Just remember to keep me up to date on your trip. I would love to stop by and say hello while you are here in Montreal.

Hugs. I think you will be happy with your Dr. Brassard and staff.
Isabell

[Jennygirl]

Aww!

My mom came to take care of me for a week a couple of years ago after some pretty gnarly surgery.  It was so awesome having my mom here to make sure I was OK, like when I was a kid with the flu.  Moms rock.   

My mom is from Ohio too. 

I wish you all the happiness in the world.

Ha what are the chances. Both live in LA and both have moms from Ohio! I think we should stsrt booking our plane tix together for trips home during holiday seasons!

Having the extra help at home is a good thing. Your first few weeks home are full of your personal care and does not leave much time for other things in life.

Just a personal note, if you can come to montreal a few days before hand the old part of the city is worth the look. Not sure after you will be up much to walking around.

Just remember to keep me up to date on your trip. I would love to stop by and say hello while you are here in Montreal.

Hugs. I think you will be happy with your Dr. Brassard and staff.
Isabell

I will definitely be updating in this thread, or I may make a new one when I get a date confirmed. Having a day or two to have a look at the city sounds like a lot of fun!



I'm literally working my butt off right now to save up for this. This week was a 74 hour week for me, and I'm sitting at my work desk as I type this- 11:30pm on a saturday night. Luckily the project is kind of cool and I don't mind The other freelancers are nice, too... not one has any clue that I am trans either which is a first!

I don't think I've ever been this motivated to make 20k in my life. I know I haven't, actually. Cheers to achievable goals!

[Cindy]

Hugs to you Jenny!

[Heather]

I'm literally working my butt off right now to save up for this. This week was a 74 hour week for me, and I'm sitting at my work desk as I type this- 11:30pm on a saturday night. Luckily the project is kind of cool and I don't mind The other freelancers are nice, too... not one has any clue that I am trans either which is a first!

I don't think I've ever been this motivated to make 20k in my life. I know I haven't, actually. Cheers to achievable goals!

Keep it up girl you'll get there if anybody can do it you can.

[Jennygirl]

[LizMarie]

I just saw this! I hope it all works out for you!

[calico]

Way to go!!!!! When I got back home my mom while not being able to come to me , brought me to her so I could have some much needed recovery time.  It turned out to be very helpful for healing, both physically and emotionally.  And for her as well , it allowed some very much needed bounding and reconciliation. Your strong, and I am sure you will do just fine! Keep us all up to date on how things are progressing. And remember to hold onto all your receipts so you can use them for your tax at the end of the year (just because current insurance isn't covering your surgeon of choice doesn't mean you cant use him or a trip as a tax deduction )

[Jill F]

Jenny, I hope they can reattach your butt after working it off!

If not, I can spare a bit for you now.

[Jennygirl]

Thank you Liz and calico

I FINALLYjust got partially paid, so tomorrow I am going to call Brassard's office in the hopes of putting down a deposit / setting up a date!

I will either be looking for anything before May (pretty much ASAP) and if there aren't any openings I'm shooting for mid September. I have to time the recovery juuust right! Still quite a few things I wanna do this year!

Jill, you know I would never let any of my butt be taken away. There's just no way I would allow that to happen.

[Jennygirl]

Holy 2K posts! And this is definitely the thread I wanna be doing that in