(Hopefully) starting T but feeling nervous...

[DarkWolf_7]

I am meeting a new doctor in five days in hopes of starting T but I have been feeling a bit anxious lately about the whole thing. For one my insurance doesn't cover this so I will have to pay out of pocket and not sure what I will be able to afford.

And so for my first question for those who didn't have HRT covered were there any things part of the process you manage to get covered?

Also how many appointments did it typically take to be prescribed T (Or just more about what this process looks like, I know there is some blood tests but I don't know what other kind of testing is required)?

I am also having fears of the fact this can't really go unnoticeable. I am not sure how people normally react to someone under go transitioning and while most people I know aren't nosy I know a few people who would comment even on something like a pimple on my face (Yeah, not great people).

I guess I am feeling nervous and yet eager for the change because on one hand as I said people are going to notice and form their own opinions but on the other hand I have been feeling depressed since puberty and I am hoping this will at least alleviate some of that. But I have been hearing mixed things as some people felt better while others not so much.

[Ryan55]

I felt a lot better since starting T, my anixety levels went way down and I'm happier. I also feel more comfortable in my body, of course I still want the "man boobs" cut off, but a binder works well for now. T helped me feel more comfortable in my body, and as a person. I'm also not trying to make sure everything I do is masculine or manly. If i want to watch a chick flick, I'll watch it, I'm still a guy. Its perfectly normal to be nervous, I was to before I started T. My insurance covered the doctor visit and most of the actual T. My doctor visit didnt cost me anything and T I pay a $20 copay but it lasts me for like 3 or 4 months one vial. If my insurance didnt cover it, I think the T costs around $120. THe needles are pretty inexpensive, maybe a few dollars. I was prescribed T on my first appointment and I got my first shot on my first appointment too. Its up to the doctor, I had bloodwork done right there and a physical and answered some questions. (Took around 3 hours this appointment). Around 3 months your voice is going to start breaking. I noticed big changes around 3 or 4 months on T. Acne is bound to happen but if you tackle it early on, you might be able to keep it clear. I hope this helped.

[AeroZeppelin92]

Although I have health insurance (Tricare) I went through Planned Parenthood and they do not accept them. Tricare is military health insurance and the things they cover under transgender care is well, not much. So I pay out of pocket for transition related expenses.

I went to Planned Parenthood as they operate under the Informed Consent model, so I was prescribed testosterone on my very first visit after having a conversation with the doctor and made very clear I had done my research and was aware off all the risks.  The actual visit cost me about $60 and that included some lab work. I have my prescription filled via Stroehckers  Pharmacy and it costs somewhere around $65 (I can't recall the exact number) and one vial lasts me approximately 2-3 months. I also pay for follow up lab work out of pocket, although I could probably get it done for free at my university, I haven't bothered to ask, because I usually forget about the campus health clinic until after the fact.

I was also very nervous about starting HRT myself. Although I knew that I wanted it since the day I hit puberty the first time, I was nervous about the social impact it would have upon me and also family impact. Basically I just got to a mental place where I said "->-bleeped-<- it" and didn't care what other people thought, and focused on my own happiness. It's been the best decision I've ever made.

[FTMax]

I am personally not asking my insurance to pay for my hormones on the off chance that they will use it as grounds to not cover my future hysto. I have literally nothing to base this off of, other than personal fear.

They do pay for my doctor visits and the majority of my labwork. I pay a $20 copay to see my doctor and roughly $35 for every round of labwork. The copay is payed immediately at every visit. The $35 bill for labwork usually comes in the mail 1-3 months after the fact. Out of pocket, 5 months of injectable T costs me $65 with needles.

My doctor's office follows the informed consent model. I went in for an appointment with my doctor, we discussed starting T, she ordered my labwork, I went and did that the same day, and I came back in 3 weeks for my follow-up appointment (it was the next day she was available). I got my prescription that day. So two visits total plus labwork. My doctor's office has a LabCorp location on site, so I don't count that as a separate visit.

I told my family, boss, and close friends prior to starting HRT. I also came out on Facebook. BUT I have clients I see on a weekly basis, and while it's fairly obvious that something is going on with me medically, they have not said anything other than asking if I had a cold when my voice dropped.

[wkly1269]

My insurance doesnt cover T but I have one of those prescription cards that gives you discounts on certain medications. My T at cost was 96 bucks at CVS and with the discount it dropped to 65 bucks. so I  was pretty stoked to save 30 dollars when I was really only expecting to save like 10 bucks. I got prescribed T through planned parenthood and I work as a vet tech so i kind knew how to give IM injections.. just needed a refresher course on human anatomy.  So I have done my own injections from day 1.