changing gender marker in Australia

[Inji]

Hi guys,

not sure if this is the right place to post this, but I really wanted to know if there are things I need to consider before changing my gender marker on documents... I'm mostly concerned with Medicare.

I'm on T, but still pre-op, and will want top surgery and hysto later.
If I changed my gender marker pre-op, will this affect things when I go to surgery?
I'm not on private insurance.

Any help is appreciated !

[Ms Grace]

Medicare is covered by Commonwealth legislation so it won't matter all that much which state you live in. Cindy is the South Australian expert so hopefully she can fill you in. To be honest I don't know how much of those procedures you would be able to get covered by Medicare. If you go through the public system you might but I hate to think how long the waiting list would be.

I've changed my gender marker with Medicare but then I don't see them paying much if any off my GRS.

Hopefully Cindy has a more useful answer than me!

[Inji]

Thanks Ms Grace! 

I decided to go ahead and change it today, and it's all good now! 
People in the office are very nice and helpful.

[Cindy]

Get private insurance!

Being a male on Medicare won't affect anything as far as getting reimbursement but the waiting list is .............forever.

[Inji]

Thanks Cindy! 
I've been looking for private insurance already, and will definitely get one soon.

[Cindy]

Thanks Cindy! 
I've been looking for private insurance already, and will definitely get one soon.

Remember it will be a 12 month wait once you get cover, and check that they will cover your desired surgeries. Some funds list gender surgery under 'psychiatric' conditions which needs to be selected as an additional cover. They are just trying to get out of paying.

[jdowellc]

I found out from my ex-private health insurer (HBF) that they didn't cover any trans surgeries. I changed my gender marker with them then asked the same question. They said they also don't cover legal males who require chest surgery (for gynecomastia - an actual male condition) so HBF sucks. I've cancelled my policy. I don't know if the same gynecomastia procedure would be covered by other providers but it might be worth looking into. I thought it might be a loophole to getting chest surgery covered.
Other than that, changing gender marker counts for very little in WA (but was still necessary for me psychologically).