Changing gender marker on passport at post offices

[Sydney_NYC]

Thank you both. I didn't let the SSA know about my gender change on ID. Do I have to do this?

You should for several reasons. Some states verify information with Social Security for Driver's License Information. Also so that information matches up with medical and tax information that will be important later in life and don't forget background checks.

[FTMax]

It can "ping" on other things. If you're ever in a hiring process with an employer for example, and they run a background check on you. It'll come back as something that was off about the background check.

In my state I was required to update with SSA prior to being allowed to update my driver's license to male, and I had to have a print out from SSA/my new SS card to show that the change had been made prior to them moving forward on my driver's license.

It was super easy to do, and the wait at my local SSA office was much shorter than expected. They were very pleasant and easy to work with.

[makipu]

Before I changed my gender marker I specifically asked if it would cause problems to other things and then told me that it shouldn't because they're separate.  Ftmax, where can I find out about the requirements for this? Since they didn't tell me anything specific at the driver's license center when getting it changed (other than the fact that I waited standing for half an hour after I gave them the filled application)

The thing with me is, I can't have my gender marker be changed to M on my health insurance since they will not cover F related problems. I basically would like everything except health insurance to say M.

[FTMax]

Hey Makipu,

Take a look at this link:

http://www.whitman-walker.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/VA-Name-and-Gender-Change-Guide-March-2015.pdf

I know it says Virginia, but since we're talking about SSA, it applies to every state. The info you're looking for is on page 8. If you're having trouble, I can email you copies of the stuff I used and you can edit it and take it in.

I signed up for health insurance through the marketplace after turning 26. At the point I signed up, I hadn't received any of my new documentation in the mail. So I signed up as my male name with a female gender marker. They have yet to ask for any kind of documentation about me (driver's license, passport). They have my social security number. Unless they ask, I am not planning to update them until after my future hysto.

[Sydney_NYC]

The thing with me is, I can't have my gender marker be changed to M on my health insurance since they will not cover F related problems. I basically would like everything except health insurance to say M.

This is no longer the case due to health insurance laws from Obamacare. Since 2013, it's illegal for an insurance company to deny a procedure that is typical for another gender that is on file. It falls under the clause that an insurance carrier can no longer deny a claim based on a pre-existing condition. Do note that many times an the doctor must enter an alternative code when submitting a claim. For example an trans woman with a Female gender marker may need a prostate exam (even after SRS) and the normal code may get kicked back due to the procedure not normally performed on a FAAB person. They will need to call the insurance provider and get the alternative code.

[iKate]

You should for several reasons. Some states verify information with Social Security for Driver's License Information. Also so that information matches up with medical and tax information that will be important later in life and don't forget background checks.

Generally though the system that employers use doesn't check gender marker anymore. This went away in 2009 or 2010 I believe. However it is still a good idea to keep it current.

[iKate]

Thank you both. I didn't let the SSA know about my gender change on ID. Do I have to do this?

As stated you should.

It's no cost to you other than the time spent to go down to the social security office. Just do it. When it's my turn I am going to change every last little thing. Why would I want that "M" next to my name anywhere?

[makipu]

This is no longer the case due to health insurance laws from Obamacare. Since 2013, it's illegal for an insurance company to deny a procedure that is typical for another gender that is on file. It falls under the clause that an insurance carrier can no longer deny a claim based on a pre-existing condition.

I never heard this before. Using the word "pre-existing" makes sense. But is this the case with all insurances? I currently have Medicaid.

[Sydney_NYC]

I never heard this before. Using the word "pre-existing" makes sense. But is this the case with all insurances? I currently have Medicaid.

Yes this is with all insurance (in the US) including Medicaid.

[makipu]

So are you saying that there is no reason why I should have to put up with my insurance saying F?  Otherwise I would have changed it as soon as I got my ID changed. How would I know if the doctors are willing to work with alternative codes?

[Sydney_NYC]

^^^^^

That's correct. If a doctor wants to get paid they will work with the insurance companies to get the code. It happens all the time with cis-patients. An example is a cis-male can get breast cancer. They have the same issue with the codes/ It's not that big of a deal since they have to work and sometimes fight with insurance companies on non trans related issues anyways.

[makipu]

I called and wanted to just check with with my doctor's office. I talked to the case manager who deals with the legal documentation changes. Unfortunately I was disappointed with what I heard.  While technically the doctors SHOULDN'T cause issues and deny previous gender specific procedures, they still do....  (at least from the other trans patients they see)  I specifically asked what if they use the alternative codes and he said it depends on the doctor and couldn't tell me more about it. 

Ftmax, thank you for that link. Especially hearing about the F. specific coverage not being guaranteed at all is making me keep the letter as well...  May I ask if you're going to have everything be removed when you have the hysto? Also, because you also have F in your insurance and M in other docs, has it not caused the slightest issue? 

By the way,  I went to the post office and the lady who worked there did give me bit of an  issue because she made me take longer (and be embarrassed about the whole needing to change gender; basically outing me)  due to her thinking of it being a "renewal" like Kittenpower said here. I even showed the paper to her but she still had to call and ask...I was highly embarrassed (as I hate having this condition) and I am never going to the post office that was closest to me because of this.