I think I need to have a hard talk to my therapist this Tuesday

[stephaniec]

I was riding a a cloud the past week thinking I had a shot at surgery. I 've been content since starting to transition that I could probably never get GRS because of no insurance and broke. I'm sitting in my therapists office last week having a great time when out of nowhere my therapist started a conversation of how much I should go for the surgery. I just came under Medicare because of disability and she's telling me I should look into it. I had buried all hope of ever getting it because of my situation. Now she lights a fire and I feel quite burned. Wow I'm depressed. sorry for the rant. I got in contact with the surgeon's office that did the surgery for a Medicare  patient in January and they sent the information , but I haven't told them yet about Medicare, but if Jessica statement is applying to all patients it's over. That's a pretty screwed up thing for a therapist to do.

[Laura_7]

transequality dot org/know-your-rights/medicare

Medicare covers medically necessary sex reassignment surgery.
For many years, Medicare did not cover sex reassignment surgery for transgender people due to a decades-old policy that categorized such treatment as "experimental." That exclusion was eliminated in May 2014, and there is now no national exclusion for transition-related health care under Medicare. This means that coverage decisions for transition-related surgeries will be made individually on the basis of medical need and applicable standards of care, similar to other doctor or hospital services under Medicare.

[stephaniec]

the problem is that doctors are refusing to accept Medicare as full payment because they don't believe it's sufficient payment.

[stephaniec]

ok, I think I jumped the gun a little . I just got an email from the doctor and their could be a ray of sunshine here.  I waiting for a reply from the doctor  , but the difference from what the cost is and what Medicare pays might be manageable.

[rosetyler]

Hugs for you, Stephanie.  I hope it works out for you!

[katrinaw]

Yes, good luck Stephanie...

L Katy 

[stephaniec]

thanks

[iKate]

It's not just SRS, it's other stuff too. Medicare reimbursement rates are pitiful.

[LizMarie]

Medicare now appears to cover SRS in Oregon.


http://www.katu.com/news/local/Oregon-Medicaid-to-cover-gender-reassignment-271399591.html


I have no further details about this so cannot comment.