Moving for health insurance

[Payten]

I have a question for the community. I've just started transitioning, I live in Utah. Insurance through my work only covers HRT. Getting personal insurance here can cover SRS but costs $400+/month. I will need FFS at some point, I'm attractive but have very masculine facial proportions.

I heard that by law health insurance in MA requires coverage of FFS, electrolysis, etc. I'm considering moving there for this reason. I work in dispatch, which doesn't pay a ton. Saving up to move to another state is reasonable, saving up $50k for out of pocket facial surgeries (plus electrolysis, therapy, etc.) is not. If I were to move to Boston, do dispatch out there, and get personal health insurance, would this be a reasonable plan? If not, why so?

[Jessica]

Hi Payten 🙋‍♀️ Welcome to Susan's Place!  I'm Jessica, a transgender woman.  I live in CA and I am unsure of laws in MA.  I know there are women here that live in MA and may have the answer you need.  Insurance is changing in America slowly but surely.  It's because of the change in CA's laws is how I'm able to have the ability to be the real me.
I see your new here, so I'll post some links that may help you get better acquainted with the site.

Please feel free to stop by the Introductions Forum to tell the members about yourself!

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[Devlyn]

Hi Payten, welcome to Susan's Place! I live just outside Boston. I can't give advice on FFS or electrolysis. I  do know all insurers here must cover GRS. My orchi thread detailed all the expenses involved for me. I'm on a privately purchased plan from BCBS. My premiums were* $480/month, and my deductible was $6,350, so I paid around $12,500 for HRT and surgery. GRS would have cost the same, but with a longer wait. It can be tricky getting everything done in one deductible year. Not covered was the surgical consult at $175, and two psych letters at $155 each.

Hope this helps!

Hugs, Devlyn

* insurance premiums are up to $660/month for 2018 amd deductible is $7,500

[CarlyMcx]

Here in Cali, Kaiser covers FFS.  In Northern California they have been doing it for a while.  In So Cal we just started.  Therapists are starting to make referrals but no one has actually had surgery yet.

[Payten]

Glad to hear that is happening in Cali. Bumping to see if anyone from MA has an answer for me.

[Quinn]

Here in Cali, Kaiser covers FFS.  In Northern California they have been doing it for a while.  In So Cal we just started.  Therapists are starting to make referrals but no one has actually had surgery yet.

Hey Carly, I'm in SOCAL and have Kaiser was just talking to my Kaiser therapist again a few weeks ago and she had said they still do not cover FFS only HRT, BA and GRS  , I have an appointment with her next week and will ask her about this again. Have been researching FFS surgeons and was thinking about starting to get some quotes but if I can get Kaiser to Pay all the better.
Do you any reference i can use to talk to her with to show her that it is covered?

Paige