Is this expensive or about normal?

[BeverlyAnn]

My therapist gave me the name of two endocrinologists to check with about appointments.  I called the first one because I recognized her name as the doctor several friends went to.  I thought the receptionist was a little abrupt when she realized I was being referred for HRT but maybe she was just busy.  However, she told me that an intake appointment is $400-$800 and no medicare or insurance.  Does that sound a little on the expensive side or is this just something I need to get used to.  I'm checking with the second endo tomorrow to see if he is accepting new patients, his costs and when he has appointments available.

[lost._.at._.sea]

I don't know much about other doctors but the initial appointment for the HRT doc I'm going to is $300 and $150 for every appointment thereafter. Appointment are every 3 months for the first half year. Then every 6 months to refill prescriptions.

No insurance or anything. And labs are $100.


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[JLT1]

I'm in MN USA.  Its  $45.00 -$60.00 for the consult and they take insurance.

Jen

[Dena]

The intake will require a full physical with all the blood work so the cost may not be that out of line. I don't know if forwarding the medical records from your other doctor will help reduce the cost or not. In my case, my Endo was my primary care doctor and as I didn't have insurance that would cover him, I would expect to pay that much for a full physical.

[Missy D]

Living in Britain, I'm fortunate in that I can get private consultants to work with the NHS to provide things like blood tests and general GP appointments for free.

Which is nice  - although it looks like things are going to end up going the same way over here as they are in America, such a shame!!! But to actually see specialists I have to pay; the endocrinologist appointment cost £200.00. I don't know what that is in Dollars, however follow up visits cost less. It was similar to see a psychiatrist and obtain my diagnosis of 'full transsexual'.  It's true....

So maybe a little bit cheaper; although I'm not paying for some of the extras that you'll have to. I do have to say, not trying to boast or anything because I'd be doing the Dr's down otherwise, that I have been seeing some of the best available. Certainly in the UK and also in Europe. I don't know how specialised the service you've got is?? Maybe it's really good so better worth it?

[Cindy Stephens]

Do you need an actual endo?  I use my internist who has extensive background treating transsexuals.  My appointments, physicals and bloodwork all go through the insurance system just fine.  My HRT does not.  I assume that it is because most of what I have done is standard Doctor stuff that would have been paid for anyways.  I have never had the extensive blood work questioned.  As soon as it gets placed as "tests and physical for transgender services" I'm sure my policy wouldn't pay.  Absolutely no lies were involved in this, only a rigorous following of the rules.  I believe that his background, interest, and care is more than adequate for this purpose and I personally feel quite comfortable with him.

[Deborah]

My first endo appointment was about $450.  That included buying their insurance for $250 since mine won't cover any of it, a $30 copay, and half the cost of the blood test.


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[JLT1]

My primary did the full physical and she coordinated preliminary blood work up.  It was all covered under insurance.  I had a letter from her and my psych sent to the endo before I went.  All the endo did was talk to me for five minutes and I got a prescription. 

Jen

[Jenna Marie]

That sounds about typical for no-insurance price - my endo is $500 for an office visit and another $300 to the lab - but the part where they won't TAKE insurance is a little weird. (Assuming that's what you/she meant.) I've never heard of a doctor who refused to even try billing insurance.

My endo does in fact take insurance, and afterwards I'm actually paying only a $30 copay for the visit and about $50 for the labs (her lab is so expensive that my insurance passes a portion of the cost on to me, so I keep trying to use my GP's lab, but that's a separate issue).

[BeverlyAnn]

I just talked to the second endo's office.  They are out at Emory University, his fee is $500 plus labwork and they do take Medicare if it will cover it.  Same procedure as the other endo, Erin has to fax them the letter and then I can make an appointment.  He's booked up a couple of weeks more than the first one I called.  On his website, U.S. News and World Report listed him in their top endocrinologists and he is the co-author of a tome entitled Endocrine Treatment of Transsexual Persons.  I think I'm going to use him.  There is a health center in downtown Atlanta which caters especially to the LGBT community and have a lot of services for transgender people.  They do informed consent but they appear to be really backed for appointments.  A friend has an appointment with them for HRT and hers is in June.

[Deborah]

There is a health center in downtown Atlanta which caters especially to the LGBT community and have a lot of services for transgender people.  They do informed consent but they appear to be really backed for appointments.  A friend has an appointment with them for HRT and hers is in June.

Hey, if that's Intown Primary Care that's the place that I use and I have been extremely happy with their service.  They gave me a prescription at the first appointment before the blood test came back a couple of days later.  I'm pretty sure though that they do require a psychologist/counsellor letter though.  They did for me.


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[BeverlyAnn]

Hey, if that's Intown Primary Care that's the place that I use and I have been extremely happy with their service.  They gave me a prescription at the first appointment before the blood test came back a couple of days later.  I'm pretty sure though that they do require a psychologist/counsellor letter though.  They did for me.

This one is Piedmont Avenue Health and Wellness in Midtown and they do informed consent according to my friend.

[Deborah]

Intown is also very good and works with lots of trans. http://www.intownprimarycare.com

My psychologist originally recommended it and in my experience you can get appointments pretty quickly.


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[JLT1]

  On his website, U.S. News and World Report listed him in their top endocrinologists and he is the co-author of a tome entitled Endocrine Treatment of Transsexual Persons.  I think I'm going to use him. 

Hi

I just read the bulk of the associated guidance from his tome.  He's good.  He's probably worth the money.  Mine is not.

I'm the endocrine system subject matter expert at a fortune 100 company.  I don't approve lightly.  I down loaded a copy.  That has some information I knew existed but hadn't found...

Hugs

Jen

[BeverlyAnn]

I just read the bulk of the associated guidance from his tome.  He's good.  He's probably worth the money.  Mine is not.

I'm the endocrine system subject matter expert at a fortune 100 company.  I don't approve lightly.  I down loaded a copy.  That has some information I knew existed but hadn't found...

Hugs

Jen

I started not to include that info about him.  I am happy I did now if it helped.