Transition on a HSA.

[kariann330]

So I recently hired in....no more temp to hire bs. Well I got my health insurance and got some questions. Cigna gold plan, is it Trans friendly or no? Also with an HSA are they more open to covering more then an HMO or PPO would be?
I looked through all of the documentation that came with my cards and found nothing about transgender care. I also tried asking HR and while they don't know about the health care, they did assure me that they have a very strict nondiscrimination/harassment policy so if I do have any problems while transitioning to notify them immediately, so I feel a little more comfortable transitioning at work now.

[Ducks]

Sorry to say that the IRS will not recognize any 'cosmetic surgery' except reconstruction following a medical treatment that is covered such as mastectomy or the like.  While publication 502 of the IRS does say things we would all agree are true, such as promoting (or not) the normal function of the body, they won't cover SRS, FFS, VFS or TS.  I am  not a lawyer but have looked into this in the past.  It is the IRS, not your new employer, who decides.

http://www.irs.gov/publications/p502/ar02.html#en_US_2013_publink1000179065

[Christinetobe]

What Ducks says is true as far as a HSA is concerned.  As far as your actual health plan you need to look at the exclusions in the plan.  Most plans specifically exclude SRS. There are some however that do not.  Sometimes you can at least the medication covered depending on the icd-9 code your physician uses for a diagnosis.  If they specifically were to write transgender it may be kicked back, if they wrote hormonal imbalance it may slide through.  Now I am not saying to commit insurance fraud but you are treating a hormonal imbalance that is particular to you.

[mrs izzy]

GRS, and hormones are IRS tax deductible.

A HSA is a great way to save up for ones GCS. That is what I had and used it for all my insurance GD exclusions.

It will not cover BA that is out of pocket.

Things are changing an soon GD will not be able to be excluded.

Isabell

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php?topic=138160.0


Edit ira meant IRS hate this auto correct

[Ducks]

GRS, and hormones are Ira tax deductible.

A HSA is a great way to save up for ones GCS. That is what I had and used it for all my insurance GD exclusions.

It will not cover BA that is out of pocket.

Things are changing an soon GD will not be able to be excluded.

Isabell

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php?topic=138160.0

The IRS ruling was to allow it to be tax deductible.  It is a far cry from that to actually paying for GRS using HSA.  This is mainly because "Distributions from an HSA that are used to pay qualified medical expenses are not taxed." (I think)  There are numerous requirements for HSA and the tax situation can be tricky. Best to talk to a tax attorney or directly to the IRS to get the official story. 

I really hope they change the rules soon.  I am pretty sure you can pay for medication (hormones) and therapy but again, check with a lawyer.

[mrs izzy]

HSA funds can be used for any medical needs. Not cosmetic unless it is to fix from accident, disease or complication.

It always been the choice for us in the know. One way to save money for ones health needs and skirt the exclusions.

Health insurance exclusions are not tax law exclusions.

Anyway, everyone has there options and own choices of there own needs.

Izzy

[Ducks]

HSA funds can be used for any medical needs. Not cosmetic unless it is to fix from accident, disease or complication.

It always been the choice for us in the know. One way to save money for ones health needs and skirt the exclusions.

Health insurance exclusions are not tax law exclusions.

Anyway, everyone has there options and own choices of there own needs.

Izzy

Ah, you're from Montreal.  I have no idea what the law is in Canada, I was only referring to the US.  Man that would be nice if it was true here too.  Sorry for the confusion, I was responding to kariann330 who is from Ohio.