Insurance and orchiectomy

[Amy1988]

Ok well I got my burdizzo device or what ever the hell it's called and it's a pretty intimidating thing.  I took one look at it and tossed it.  So now my only option is orchiectomy.  One of the posters who replied to my post about the burdizzo mentioned she got an orchiectomy and her insurance paid for it.  Can someone tell me how to get my insurance to pay for one?  Someone mentioned something about the way it's coded by a doctor.   Any insight into this?  Or where can I get one cheap. 

[brianna1016]

Ok well I got my burdizzo device or what ever the hell it's called and it's a pretty intimidating thing.  I took one look at it and tossed it.  So now my only option is orchiectomy.  One of the posters who replied to my post about the burdizzo mentioned she got an orchiectomy and her insurance paid for it.  Can someone tell me how to get my insurance to pay for one?  Someone mentioned something about the way it's coded by a doctor.   Any insight into this?  Or where can I get one cheap.

hrt will chemically castrate you over time. From what i understand though it may not completely finish the job and anti androgens are required until srs or orchiectomy. So if you're on a budget you may want to consider just doing hrt. You sound kind of desperate and that isnt a good frame of mind to be in when it comes to radically changing your body.

Ok well I got my burdizzo device or what ever the hell it's called and it's a pretty intimidating thing.  I took one look at it and tossed it.  So now my only option is orchiectomy.  One of the posters who replied to my post about the burdizzo mentioned she got an orchiectomy and her insurance paid for it.  Can someone tell me how to get my insurance to pay for one?  Someone mentioned something about the way it's coded by a doctor.   Any insight into this?  Or where can I get one cheap.

[Miss_Bungle1991]

Ok well I got my burdizzo device or what ever the hell it's called and it's a pretty intimidating thing.  I took one look at it and tossed it.  So now my only option is orchiectomy.  One of the posters who replied to my post about the burdizzo mentioned she got an orchiectomy and her insurance paid for it.  Can someone tell me how to get my insurance to pay for one?  Someone mentioned something about the way it's coded by a doctor.   Any insight into this?  Or where can I get one cheap.

Well, it's VERY good to hear that you decided not to do this. I was the one that mentioned the orchi being covered by my plan. I had to have a bit of a talk with the urologist to get him to do it. He mentioned that the testicles were "healthy tissue". I replied: "Well, that isn't entirely accurate since I AM taking estrogen and that is going to weaken them, right?" I also mentioned that I didn't want to be on Spiro for the rest of my life and potentially damaging my kidneys. I also told him that I desired the orchi since GRS was NEVER going to be an option. Once I told him all of that he asked me: "Are you sure that want to do this?" five times in a row. I was laughing after saying "yes" the second time. I signed a few papers and that was it. I went in a few weeks later and had it done. I was in and out the same day. They coded it as a male procedure and that was how I got it covered since this hospital was in my insurance network and 90% of their patients for this procedure were Genetic Males. I was able to get my gender marker changed too, so that was a nice, unexpected bonus. All I had to pay was the $1100 for my insurance account and I was able to pay it off a bit at a time. I had it paid off in 8 months.

[TerriT]

Well thank God you didn't try to use that thing on yourself.

[Veronica M]

Oh Amy, you have no idea how pleased I am to hear you threw that thing away... My heart just sank when I read your intentions on your other post. I do feel for you and my heart goes out to you. This is not an easy thing and believe me I hate looking in the mirror myself at times. As long as I keep putting one foot in front of the other that seem to overcome those moments of hopelessness and believe me we all have them. If ever you need someone feel free to PM me... Please!

Anyway, a big hug from me for you sound decisions to toss that thing in the trash...

[Satinjoy]

I looked that thing up on wiki and almost fainted

I haven't tried the orchi thing yet, still learning what it does.

The meds have done fine for me although its a pain to have to pee so much.

[Jill F]

So my insurance isn't going to pay for it for several reasons.  The doc pretty much laid that one out for me today.  It probably "could be", but the amount of time and effort spent fighting them for the small amount over my deductible and the cost of lawyering up just isn't going to be worth it.

The good news is I'm going balls out the first week of June while they tweak my face just a little.

[Suziack]

Glad to hear that. I evaluated the various procedures that are available, and the one definite conclusion that I was able to reach was that "Burdizzo" was NOT something to even consider. Now, with your testimonial, there is proof!

[Amy1988]

So my insurance isn't going to pay for it for several reasons.  The doc pretty much laid that one out for me today.  It probably "could be", but the amount of time and effort spent fighting them for the small amount over my deductible and the cost of lawyering up just isn't going to be worth it.

The good news is I'm going balls out the first week of June while they tweak my face just a little.

If my insurance won't pay I think I can get a loan from my 401K which I think allows loans for medical procedures.