FFS w/ Dr. Spiegel in 10 days

[Devlyn]

My surgery with Spiegel (five procedures) was booked for three weeks away. I live close by so I took the subway in and gave Katie a check for $40,095, the full amount of the surgery, and the next day a friend of mine brought to my attention that I might be able to get it covered by insurance. I called Katie up and asked her to look into it, and within a week insurance had approved, she'd voided my check for $40k, and I wrote her a new check for $3500. Just like that... $36.5k saved thanks to a friend's word of advice. Can you imagine how happy I was??

If anyone is curious, I purchase insurance privately directly from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. Here is their policy: https://www.bluecrossma.com/common/en_US/medical_policies/189%20Transgender%20Services%20prn.pdf

Nice savings! I'm in Weymouth, are you south, north, or west of Boston?

Hugs, Devlyn

[Danielle11746]

My surgery with Spiegel (five procedures) was booked for three weeks away. I live close by so I took the subway in and gave Katie a check for $40,095, the full amount of the surgery, and the next day a friend of mine brought to my attention that I might be able to get it covered by insurance. I called Katie up and asked her to look into it, and within a week insurance had approved, she'd voided my check for $40k, and I wrote her a new check for $3500. Just like that... $36.5k saved thanks to a friend's word of advice. Can you imagine how happy I was??

If anyone is curious, I purchase insurance privately directly from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. Here is their policy: https://www.bluecrossma.com/common/en_US/medical_policies/189%20Transgender%20Services%20prn.pdf

Wow that's great insurance paid for your surgery.  I just looked on empireblue for NY and it doesn't cover ffs, I wonder why in MA the same company covers it where in NY they don't?

[deeiche]

Wow that's great insurance paid for your surgery.  I just looked on empireblue for NY and it doesn't cover ffs, I wonder why in MA the same company covers it where in NY they don't?

Could be a Massachusetts state requirement.  Beyond minimums set by US Fed ACA everything else it left to the individual state.

[Alaia]

My surgery with Spiegel (five procedures) was booked for three weeks away. I live close by so I took the subway in and gave Katie a check for $40,095, the full amount of the surgery, and the next day a friend of mine brought to my attention that I might be able to get it covered by insurance. I called Katie up and asked her to look into it, and within a week insurance had approved, she'd voided my check for $40k, and I wrote her a new check for $3500. Just like that... $36.5k saved thanks to a friend's word of advice. Can you imagine how happy I was??

If anyone is curious, I purchase insurance privately directly from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. Here is their policy: https://www.bluecrossma.com/common/en_US/medical_policies/189%20Transgender%20Services%20prn.pdf

Wow, maybe I need to look into moving to MA! My company is headquartered in Hopkinton so it isn't that far of a stretch... hrmm.

[BrandiMcC]

I'm one week post op today with Spiegel. I can confirm he does accept insurance, but I too am in state, so I'm thinking it's a Massachusetts thing.  I have Harvard Pilgrim healthcare. I had my forehead, nose, jaw, chin, trachea done, because that's what my insurance covered and there was room for slight improvements with all of them. My brow was the biggest dysphoria inducer for me, and I'm happy to report that I'm now sporting a flat as a pancake forehead.  That being said, the pain is intense, and the swelling and discomfort are no joke. My chin and jaw are still huge. I don't know how I'm going to go back to work in ten days.  I saw the Dr. today and he said everything looks great, so I guess that's good. Ugh,this jaw swelling though, it's killing me!!

[SerenaOhSerena]

I'm honestly thinking of moving to Boston and getting Blue Cross and BlueShield insurance to get FFS with Spiegel if it as good as you say it is. I'm making plans to perhaps reside in the area for a year. I honestly cannot think of any other surgeon I would like to perform my surgery and it would definitely save on expenses. Are there any other insurance companies that cover the cost of FFS? There's definitely none in NC (they only cover GRS) and I am currently trying to move from NC anyway.

[Debra]

I'm one week post op today with Spiegel. I can confirm he does accept insurance, but I too am in state, so I'm thinking it's a Massachusetts thing.  I have Harvard Pilgrim healthcare. I had my forehead, nose, jaw, chin, trachea done, because that's what my insurance covered and there was room for slight improvements with all of them. My brow was the biggest dysphoria inducer for me, and I'm happy to report that I'm now sporting a flat as a pancake forehead.  That being said, the pain is intense, and the swelling and discomfort are no joke. My chin and jaw are still huge. I don't know how I'm going to go back to work in ten days.  I saw the Dr. today and he said everything looks great, so I guess that's good. Ugh,this jaw swelling though, it's killing me!!

glad it went well! Hope recovery goes quick and easy for you =)

[Ok2BHuman]

Hello- Do you have followup pictures posted? How do you like the results? Hope you are doing well.

[GothGeek]

Hey, FYI for everyone, I just tried to setup a consultation with Dr. Spiegel at Boston Medical and they told me that Dr. Spiegel is not accepting new patients. I called his office and they confirmed that in order to be covered by insurance for the procedures I do need to go through Boston Medical. They mentioned something about Boston Medical not signing the acceptance form for new patients or something, he wasn't really clear on why but he confirmed that there is nothing that can be done about it.. Apparently this could change over time.. I have the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts ppo plan and so this is really depressing news for me because I was excited about being able to get these procedures covered by my insurance, and its the only way I could possibly afford it. 

[Danielle11746]

Hey, FYI for everyone, I just tried to setup a consultation with Dr. Spiegel at Boston Medical and they told me that Dr. Spiegel is not accepting new patients. I called his office and they confirmed that in order to be covered by insurance for the procedures I do need to go through Boston Medical. They mentioned something about Boston Medical not signing the acceptance form for new patients or something, he wasn't really clear on why but he confirmed that there is nothing that can be done about it.. Apparently this could change over time.. I have the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts ppo plan and so this is really depressing news for me because I was excited about being able to get these procedures covered by my insurance, and its the only way I could possibly afford it. 

Look into Dr Yaremchuk, he is in Boston and did FFS on a GF of mine

[Jacqueline]

Hey, FYI for everyone, I just tried to setup a consultation with Dr. Spiegel at Boston Medical and they told me that Dr. Spiegel is not accepting new patients. I called his office and they confirmed that in order to be covered by insurance for the procedures I do need to go through Boston Medical. They mentioned something about Boston Medical not signing the acceptance form for new patients or something, he wasn't really clear on why but he confirmed that there is nothing that can be done about it.. Apparently this could change over time.. I have the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts ppo plan and so this is really depressing news for me because I was excited about being able to get these procedures covered by my insurance, and its the only way I could possibly afford it. 

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[LebanesePrincess]

Has any one had any experience with the Massachusetts health car le and getting FDA covered ? What's the process ? Moving to mass soon !