Looking to start HRT - Endo/IC/Insurance Questions in Ill/Wis

[DarkenedTomorrow]

Hey

I'm 20 and looking to start HRT in the coming months. I'm having a heck of a time trying to find an endo in my area or an informed consent clinic. Everyone I ask (therapists/doctors) can't point me in the direction of anyone who can help me. So I was hoping someone here could possibly help me out with recommendations. I live closer to Madison, Wis. than Chicago despite being in Ill. So anything close to the boarder would be great. I have Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance.

Basically any questions you can answer would be great.

- Recommendations for Endos/Informed Consent places (who preferably take BCBS)

- What's the actual difference between going through an Endo and informed consent clinic? From the little I know, there are less hoops to jump through but people make it sound less safe.

- If given the choice, what one is the better option?

- Does BCBS cover well for this sort of thing?

Thank you!

[LordKAT]

As to insurance coverage, it varies from plan to plan, not company to company. You will have to check on your particular policy.

Informed consent clinic closest to you is Howard Brown, in Chicago.  http://www.howardbrown.org/

Personally, I drive to Madison for my endo. Milwaukee for therapist.

[KristinaM]

See if there's a Planned Parenthood clinic near you.  They do HRT by Informed Consent here in NC and follow the WPATH SoC.  They've been doing it here for about 4 years now, and it sounds like Planned Parenthood is a nationwide institution, typically for sexual awareness, health, pregnancy care/prevention, etc..., but they do a good job with HRT too.

[iKate]

Informed consent is not "less safe." If anything they are better because usually they have tons of experience with transgender HRT. A regular endo really sees mostly diabetic patients.

I go to Beth Israel in NYC and they do my primary care. They know what they're doing and haven't steered me wrong so far. My overall health has improved so much since I went under their care. Dr Rob and Zil are excellent.

[iKate]

As far as the actual process it varies from clinic to clinic.

In my case they asked a few questions such as if I'm seeing a therapist (they work with mine) and then they did a full physical and gave me paperwork to sign. They went through the risks such as DVT, breast cancer, mood swings etc, They do also have standard paperwork as with any doctors office. I was prescribed the same day but they may wait for labs to come back.

Others here like Callen-Lorde will do a 2 step process where you see their mental health professional and they ask a few questions like what you expect to get out of this, and explaining the risks, basically to see if you're sure. They may take 1-2 visits to prescribe you.

There's another one here called APICHA aimed at the Asian/Pacific Islander community and they do group orientations.

If you're already self medicating it is important to tell them. They will work with you and they shouldn't lecture you. After all you came in to their office to get on the straight and narrow path.

Congrats and good luck.

[DarkenedTomorrow]

As to insurance coverage, it varies from plan to plan, not company to company. You will have to check on your particular policy.

Informed consent clinic closest to you is Howard Brown, in Chicago.  http://www.howardbrown.org/

Personally, I drive to Madison for my endo. Milwaukee for therapist.

Thank you for the info.
If you'd be comfortable, could you give me the name of your endo please?