So finally decide to call and find out about HRT... frustration!

[abd789]

After a few weeks I decide to sit down and make some phone calls to try an find a way to begin HRT

called every endo in my area (6)  2 were closed for good, 2 numbers were bunk, one doesnt deal with trans the other seemed snotty and corrected me by saying "We are a gynecologist, we treat women"

I called my insurance, the lady wanted to help me with a prim care, but seemed to not want to talk about "trans", wouldnt/couldnt answer any questions, just kept referring me to PCP... yet wanted me to say I was happy with her service... "is there anything else I can do" YES< ANSWER MY QUESTIONS!

she couldnt tell me if trans is covered
she couldnt tell me who to see
she couldnt even help me get logged into my online account plan, which hasnt worked for 3 months!

my pyschologist doesnt want to help me either
I thought she and I could spend a session figuring out what/where, etc.... nope....

Im stumped
I am having a rough day/week with my issues and Im pretty certain I need to take more steps....just dont have a clue

[KarynMcD]

she couldnt tell me if trans is covered

I asked once. They said, "it depends on how it's billed"

she couldnt tell me who to see

They're not going to know. They only have access to the same list you do. And if she kept mentioning talk to your PCP. Talk to your PCP. You might need to have a referral before seeing and endo.
If your PCP won't help you, find a new one.

she couldnt even help me get logged into my online account plan, which hasnt worked for 3 months!

Website support is often separate from plan support. There should be a something mentioned on the site on what to do if you are having troubles.

my pyschologist doesnt want to help me either
I thought she and I could spend a session figuring out what/where, etc.... nope....

You are paying them to help you. If they don't want to help, find a new one.

Where are you located?

[stephaniec]

what country you live in? Small town or big city?

[iKate]

What Stephianie said.

My HRT is billed as primary care, because it is primary care. I also have an endocrine disorder and gender identity disorder listed under my list of health issues.

[Deborah]

Or just post your nearest big city.  I have to travel 100 miles to a city to find Dr's with this experience.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[gamerchic_kaylee]

my pyschologist doesnt want to help me either
I thought she and I could spend a session figuring out what/where, etc.... nope....

You might want to looking at other therapist that have expertise in gender identity and working with the transgender community.  Talking about HRT should be one of the topics you discuss in your sessions.  At my last therapy appointment I gave you my priorities - HRT being one of them - and right away, we'll be talking about that in our next appointment and already gave me a list of doctors she's worked with in the past.

Why are you paying this psychologist if they aren't going to help you?

It's hard to find the right people, but once you get someone with experience and is willing to help the path gets easier.

Good luck!

[jenifer356]

with many insurers the PCP is all important - need them to provide scripts for referrals to endo and therapists - if you find a PCP that is trans friendly they can do magical things in helping to remove roadblocks - same with therapist - once you hook up with a trans friendly one the rest of the journey just seems so much easier

good luck
be well

jenifer

[KristinaM]

If you're state follows Informed Consent practices, try contacting a nearby Planned Parenthood office.  Some of them offer transgender care.  Not all apparently, but some/most do it seems.

[abd789]

Thanks for the replies, they got me thinking... which is what I needed

Im in NE Ohio, btw

I do not have a PCP... Im not a "go to doctor" kind of person....

It seemed as though the insurance rep was avoiding what i asked and not confirming or denying anything, I think she was just roadblocking.... thats a good word...
"Is there anything else I can do for you..." YES, answer my question like a normal human.... but I guess its 2015, that doesnt happen anymore

I will look for a PCP that is trans friendly, good start, but guessing I will have to travel quite a ways
I am in a small town, which sucks totally, I use to live in Minneapolis and Denver.... everything you needed was there
as well as trans friendly hangouts.... here we have the corner hick bars....dont go in there....

Yes, my therapist is frustrating me.... I pay a copay, 30 bucks which just changed with the new insurance, it was zero for mental.... but yes, she is nice, but not earning her money

[jenifer356]

cleveland or pittsburgh should have clinics with informed consent policies in place - You should check those possibilities - might be a little trek but the road might be easier to travel

be well
jenifer

[Roni]

As others have stated, switch to a gender psychologist/therapist right away. I was able to get a referral to an endocrinologist that dealt with trans patients through my gender therapist.

[Rachel]

Pennsylvania is informed consent. North West PA is like North East Ohio so Pittsburg may be a good place to look for a LGBT doctor. 

[abd789]

I do appreciate the replies, I may come off as bitchy or whiny sometimes, but its my frustration coming out...and me posting and sifting through replies gets me thinking in the right direction

so.... now I have to "break up" with my therapist.... 

Ive never been good with breakups....

[gamerchic_kaylee]

so.... now I have to "break up" with my therapist.... 

Ive never been good with breakups....

Should be an easy breakup, just stop making appointments   Realistically, I understand.  I always hate awkward situations, or just situations that make me uncomfortable.  I'm a type of person that wants to please everyone, and feel bad when I turn my back to someone that has helped me even in the smallest way.  That whole loyalty thing.

I wish you all the best luck with your journey and finding the right people that will help you ... HUGS!

[Roni]

I do appreciate the replies, I may come off as bitchy or whiny sometimes, but its my frustration coming out...and me posting and sifting through replies gets me thinking in the right direction

so.... now I have to "break up" with my therapist.... 

Ive never been good with breakups....

How I went about it was I cancelled a scheduled appointment with my therapist ahead of time... and then just completely stopped making appointments with her lol. If they contact you to ask if you would like to schedule new appointments, just say you are facing financial problems and can't. They more than usually won't contact you after that anymore. No breaking up needed!

[JoanneB]

You might want to looking at other therapist that have expertise in gender identity and working with the transgender community.  Talking about HRT should be one of the topics you discuss in your sessions.  At my last therapy appointment I gave you my priorities - HRT being one of them - and right away, we'll be talking about that in our next appointment and already gave me a list of doctors she's worked with in the past.

Why are you paying this psychologist if they aren't going to help you?

It's hard to find the right people, but once you get someone with experience and is willing to help the path gets easier.

Good luck!

THIS

Yes, finding endo's that will accept trans patients is difficult. But a local therapist "should" have leads! 

Have you been to any "local" TG support groups? When I was living in rural West Virginia I needed to drive 90 miles for the closest group. It was another hour plus to either Washington DC, or Pittsburgh for groups or gender clinics.

BTW - the closest endo that took TG's was another 30 miles away, halfwayish between DC and Hagerstown, MD

My HRT doc is also my PCP. Any doctor can prescribe drugs.  What insurance will cover and how much fighting you need to do varies. Aetna, no prob. BCBS, some back and forth and a doctor to doctor consult and they covered mine.

[Randi]

If you are going to have to travel, and it's not too hard to get to Chicago, check out:

Howard Brown Health Center
4025 N. Sheridan Road
Chicago, IL 60613

They do informed consent, work with insurance, have a sliding scale and a pharmacy next door.  You can be on hormones within 3 visits, and they possibly could be set up to be very close together, so you can do it in one trip.

If it's easier to get to Philadelphia, try the Mazzoni Center there.

More info here:  https://www.susans.org/wiki/index.php/Informed_consent

Thanks for the replies, they got me thinking... which is what I needed

Im in NE Ohio, btw

I do not have a PCP... Im not a "go to doctor" kind of person....