How to get hormones?

[drippin]

Hey guys and gals! I was just hoping someone here could help me out. I'm 18 and I don't really understand health coverage very well. I'm planning on going full time sometime between June and September depending on a few things. I'm ready to start hormones now but I'm unsure how to go about it. Hiding the effects of HRT is not an issue for me because my parents have no problem with it. I do have health coverage, thanks to my stepdad. According to my mom it's actually pretty good insurance. I live in Southern California & I have Kaiser Permanente. My question is not "does Kaiser cover HRT?" because I know it depends, but my question is, how do I go about getting prescribed hormones? I know I need to have a letter of recommendation, but what are the FIRST steps. I have an HMO plan so what do I do? Should I go to my GP and tell him that I need to see a therapist and then get referred to a psychiatrist? or vice versa? I really have no idea but I REALLY want to start hormones! I'm thinking if I can start them within the next few months, it would benefit me for when I go full time, if I've been on them for at least 4 months prior.


ANY info is appreciated!!
Please keep in mind I live in Socal, and I have a Kaiser HMO plan.

Thanks in advance!

[Silver]

See a therapist. At some point, you might get a letter verifying your GID so you can start HRT as I understand it.

[Janet_Girl]

And Yes Kaiser covers HRT.  I had Kaiser when I was working, and it was covered.  Talk to you GP and explain what is up and what you want.  But you most likely need  a letter from your therapist.

I did and my GP found a doctor that was trans-friendly and knowledgeable.

[drippin]

Thanks for the replies! So I should just come out with it to my GP thanks for clarifying. For some reason, I thought I should request to see a therapist first... Ok wow! So excited to hear that Kaiser covers it. If you don't mind me asking, Janet, how long did it take for you to get your hormones after telling your GP the situation?

[Janet_Girl]

I contact my GP and explained the situation.  Within a couple of weeks, I had an appointment with my HRT doctor.  He was very familiar with HRT and trans issues.  He sent me for blood work and wrote me a script after talking to my therapist.  Probable within a week of the first meeting.

[Alyssa M.]

Going through proper formal channels to get HRT tends to vary from one person to the next by quite a bit. You can check out the Standard of Care, but be aware that they are not applied in anything like a uniform manner, when they are applied at all, which means that you may or may not be able to get on HRT within the amount of time you are talking about.

If you're certain about wanting to start HRT as soon as possible, start by reading the terms of your insurance. Then talk to your GP and find out what you would need to do to get a prescription -- which probably means seeing an endocrinologist. Then contact the endo and see what they require; probably a letter from a therapist. Then you can find a therapist. I'd suggest asking around local support groups from people who have experience with that endo and therapists that are known to the endo, especially ones that take your insurace (if possible). And get on it! The administrative hassle, especially with your therapist, might take longer than you think.

Anyway, that's what I would do, and more or less what I did. Good luck.