Dunno how to (anything)

[Xhianil]

So here's where  I am, I am on a HSA plan with Aetna, in the SW corner of fort Worth, but I honestly don't know how to take advantage of the stuff I have, and lack face to face support to help me. Searching online just serves to confuse me as well as frustrate, I just need to know how I can help myself.

[Laurie]

Hi Xhianil,

  Your post tells us that you have insurance and where you are but beyond that there is no information on just what help and support you are needing. What is it you need help with doing? Plaese give us a bit more to go on I don't know if there are any mind readers here.

Hugs,
   Laurie

[Xhianil]

Find a therapist, a trans friendly primary care physician, all that stuff, it's overwhelming and hard to figure out.

[Laurie]

Find a therapist, a trans friendly primary care physician, all that stuff, it's overwhelming and hard to figure out.

First thing to do Xhianil, is to take a deep breath and calm down. Yes, all this stuff can be overwhelming. You should look into just what your insurance covers for transgender services. That will give you an idea whether or not to begin your search for one that is in your network or not. If you already have a primary care physician I would start there as you should be familiar with them. As professionals they should help you find a gender therapist. A gender therapist will be very helpful in helping you go further.


   It's a start.

Hugs,
  Laurie

[Xhianil]

First thing to do Xhianil, is to take a deep breath and calm down. Yes, all this stuff can be overwhelming. You should look into just what your insurance covers for transgender services. That will give you an idea whether or not to begin your search for one that is in your network or not. If you already have a primary care physician I would start there as you should be familiar with them. As professionals they should help you find a gender therapist. A gender therapist will be very helpful in helping you go further.


   It's a start.

Hugs,
  Laurie

Don't have a primary care physician. I looked it up and they added in it this year, or rather they removed the exclusion on it. It also mentions not cosmetic, best I can figure that means FFS or a boob job or something.

[Laurie]

   To be non cosmetic means they will only cover things that are of a medical necessity. That means a doctor has to certify the is is medically necessary for your health and/or well being. Electrolysis, facial surgery, breast augmentation etc would not be covered normally.

  Does your insurance have a service number? You could give that a call and ask what the do and do not cover and how you go about finding  doctors they accept for the services they do cover.

Hugs,
   Laurie

[Xhianil]

   To be non cosmetic means they will only cover things that are of a medical necessity. That means a doctor has to certify the is is medically necessary for your health and/or well being. Electrolysis, facial surgery, breast augmentation etc would not be covered normally.

  Does your insurance have a service number? You could give that a call and ask what the do and do not cover and how you go about finding  doctors they accept for the services they do cover.

Hugs,
   Laurie

They just refer to castlight to find care, problem is I've had nothing but bad experience being transgender in Texas, and I can't afford to pay for a non-transfreindly doctor turning a perscription for HRT down.

[Dena]

This is a two step process. Do your best to find a doctor who will take your insurance but you can't, make your copayment  or pay a doctor not covered by your insurance out of your Health Savings Account. Make the payment directly to the doctor by check or debit card. My insurance didn't cover anything transgender related so I paid for HRT and voice surgery out of my HSA.

You don't pay taxes on money deposited to a HSA and you can't take medical expenses paid for with a HSA off your taxes as a medical expense. A HSA is a way to pay medical expenses getting the medical deduction without needing to meet the minimum deductible before you can claim a deduction. You will have to use a long form and file an 8889 when you do your taxes.

[RobynTx]

Give the Planned Parenthood in North Dallas/Plano a call. They have phone numbers and such for resources in your area.

[DawnOday]

Aetna's transgender services are called out here and is fairly straight forward. http://www.aetna.com/cpb/medical/data/600_699/0615.html

This from the Human Rights Campaign http://www.hrc.org/resources/finding-insurance-for-transgender-related-healthcare

You may have to move to Austin where it seems to have plenty of resources not found in the rest of the state. Luckily it is only a three hour bus ride away if you wish to stay put. Make sure to bring your hand held game console as it is a long boring ride, with nothing to see, as I found out a couple of years ago.

[DawnOday]

They just refer to castlight to find care, problem is I've had nothing but bad experience being transgender in Texas, and I can't afford to pay for a non-transfreindly doctor turning a perscription for HRT down.

However in some cases like Kaiser pre reassignment genital electrolysis is paid for. But facial electrolysis is not. Orchi's and voice coaching are also paid for. GRS is also likely to be paid for if you can establish the need. Facial reconstruction is considered cosmetic.

[Sarah_P]

I had spoken to a friend of a friend that transitioned (FTM) in Dallas, and he said there were a number of transgender services in that area. I never did get the links from him, but this may help:
http://www.renee-baker.com/transgender-counseling-dallas/transgender-group/

I think GEAR may be the group he was/is with.

[Southergirlsam]

If you where in Houston I would recomend you to my gen practice doc they are very trans friendly they offer counselling/ therapy have an endocrinologist and will do post-op care.