How expensive can HRT be? Also recommendations for gynecologists in Ohio?

[TheMissingM]

Alright so I figured it'd be good to ask about hormone prices without insurance because I won't be able to apply for insurance until I get my name change finalized(Makes more sense to do it this way, my SSN card got destroyed in a house fire and I'm literally in the process of mailing out my name change paperwork.)

So I was wondering if anyone here has any experience in the state of Ohio(more specifically Canton) with gynecologists or doctors in general who can manage HRT? What the fees usually follow?

I'm pretty new to this whole thing so admittedly I am pretty confused on how this works, what's the general process of finding a gynecologist in your area that is knowledgeable about trans? How expensive can it be without insurance(As in, should I wait until I get my new SSN card..?) I've tried doing research already but I haven't exactly called anyone yet because I haven't gotten my letter of recommendation yet.

Mostly I just want to be prepared.

[FTMax]

Hi MissingM,

You're not really looking for a gyno. What you want is an endocrinologist - they can prescribe, administer, and monitor HRT. To that end, any general practitioner can as well, but you are more likely to encounter reluctance or discomfort with doing so if they aren't already working with trans folks. I'm not local to Ohio, but I pay with a combination of insurance and out of pocket in one of the most expensive places in the US. Here is what I've paid for my first year on HRT:

November 2014
- Initial Visit (meet with doctor, go over history, talk HRT, referred for bloodwork, signed forms): $20 copay
- Initial Bloodwork (included 5 tests): $38 after insurance, originally billed at $550
- Follow-Up Visit (get prescription): $20 copay
- 3 months of T gel: $32 - out of pocket

March 2015
- First Quarter Visit (review bloodwork, how everything is going, get another prescription, meet with nurse): $20 copay
- First Quarter Bloodwork (included 3 tests): $28 after insurance, originally billed at $257
- 5 months of depo testosterone injections & syringes: $65 - out of pocket

April 2015
- Second Quarter Visit (review bloodwork, how everything is going, get another prescription): $20 copay
- Second Quarter Bloodwork (included 4 tests): $34 after insurance, originally billed at $377 (I needed one more test done as part of a pre-surgical clearance)

July 2015
- Third Quarter Visit (review bloodwork, how everything is going, get another prescription): $30 copay (switched insurance)
- Third Quarter Bloodwork (included 3 tests): $10 after insurance, originally billed at $257
- 5 months of depo testosterone injections & syringes: $72 - out of pocket

I'll have one more visit this year that should cost $30 copay + $10 lab work + $70ish for testosterone. I am planning to have them start billing my insurance for my T, so that amount may go down. May not. I haven't had to use it at a pharmacy yet, so we'll see. My dates are a little screwy because I had surgery in April and needed to see my doctor for paperwork and pre-op tests.

[TheMissingM]

Oh goodness, I feel like a total idiot now... I did a bit of research and Gyne and Endo both came up wasn't exactly sure.. Yikes..

Well thank you for listing your experiences and how much you've paid on each visit. It's looking like I might need to get insurance before I can even proceed with this step, namely cause of the visits themselves and the blood work.

[Mariah]

Your not wrong. Some actually prescribe HRT for Trans patients and they do HRT for CIS patents too. It's why it shows up when searching. You need to figure out who in your area prescribes HRT to trans patients and then go from there. Hugs
Mariah

[Venus]

My therapist said it was about $500/year when I was talking to him today.

[FTMax]

My therapist said it was about $500/year when I was talking to him today.

Perhaps just for hormones out of pocket. Definitely not if you're paying for doctor visits and labs out of pocket. One round of tests for me would've been $550 without insurance.

[iKate]

Anyone with a DEA license can prescribe HRT for you. My primary care who does my HRT and everything else is a nurse practitioner. That said she is extremely knowledgeable about HRT and is trans herself.

You don't need an endo specifically and most time they are seeing diabetics and not trans people.

Cost wise insurance covers mine but out of pocket it would have been around $800 for the first visit and $150-$200 a visit after that. Some clinics like Callen Lorde in NYC bill sliding scale so you pay only what you can afford.

[TheMissingM]

Thank you everyone for your answers.

Well mostly I was just asking so I could plan things out, I'm right now trying to seek employment and I need to start my therapy.. but it doesn't hurt to know a general price range in advance.

As for insurance, once I get my name change finalized I'll be getting a new SSN card(lost my old one in a house fire..) and then going for applications. Sounds like it definitely helps out with the costs and I've already done a fair share of research as to what providers are good towards transgender clients.