Community Conversation => Transsexual talk => Female to male transsexual talk (FTM) => Topic started by: MTTTA@18 on April 05, 2013, 08:52:56 PM Return to Full Version
Title: Newby and needs help!
Post by: MTTTA@18 on April 05, 2013, 08:52:56 PM
Post by: MTTTA@18 on April 05, 2013, 08:52:56 PM
Hey you guys I'm new to the transgender world and I have no knowledge on many things.
So to start with my 2nd post is it true that you have to get a therapist and how long would you say you have to attend?
I really don't want to spend so much money on a therapist nonetheless not have enough for the cost of each secession.
I am trying to add all costs so I can start saving as quick as possible. Your knowledge would be much appreciated. :)
So to start with my 2nd post is it true that you have to get a therapist and how long would you say you have to attend?
I really don't want to spend so much money on a therapist nonetheless not have enough for the cost of each secession.
I am trying to add all costs so I can start saving as quick as possible. Your knowledge would be much appreciated. :)
Title: Re: Newby and needs help!
Post by: Magnus on April 05, 2013, 09:14:01 PM
Post by: Magnus on April 05, 2013, 09:14:01 PM
All I can tell you is my own experience in the process...
I was with Kaiser Permanente. I got absolutely NOWHERE in the process until after I'd told my general physician (which I'd been trying to avoid because I didn't want them to drop coverage, as I know most of them do when this comes up. So the absolute LAST thing I wanted was for this to get on the records... it did anyway though).
Before I had to do that, I'd already attempted to get the process started a year before through their "mental health" program. Well, that was a mistake the guy didn't even remember me two weeks after the first 'visit' and was trying to snowball me into taking advantage of the other services and things that I totally wasn't there for and really didn't need and just yeah, it was a huge waste of my time and $25 a pop. So I had given up and didn't go back.
A year later, when I'd finally mustered up the courage to mention it to my GP (something that took me a lot of alcohol to even say to my parents, that was an experience...), she went ahead and contacted the Endocrinologist I was going to see for an unrelated and metabolic problem and from there it went. I didn't even know the process had begun until after I was already in it (which I was still in denial it was actually happening).
They set up an appointment for me after that consult with the Endo, this time with an ACTUAL doctor in the "mental health" program, which was my assessment (didn't even know that's what it was at the time but there you are). I there expressed my preference to NOT go through therapy (because I truly didn't need it and it would be of no benefit to me, personally) before starting T, explaining that I'd already pretty much been socially transitioned my whole life on account of never being "socially feminized" and such like that and I got a call back the same evening to say I was approved (she'd contacted my Endo to let him know I was good to go for TRT) and that was that.
Two weeks later, back at the Endo, I got my first dose.
And then, we lost Kaiser Permanente directly after that (it was a benefit from my mom's work and they laid her off), so I got onto the county health program and we're now paying for my T out of pocket (about $92 per 10ML vial here) which is roughly $5 every two weeks/dose. But labs and visits are covered. Not bad.
Your mileage may vary, but that's how it went for me through Kaiser.
Without insurance? I have no idea. You can probably expect to put down about $300-500 out of pocket for the therapy alone if you chose that route (usually with no guarantee at the end that you'll get your approval) or can't find a doctor willing to do "informed consent", though. I'd almost guarantee that.
I was with Kaiser Permanente. I got absolutely NOWHERE in the process until after I'd told my general physician (which I'd been trying to avoid because I didn't want them to drop coverage, as I know most of them do when this comes up. So the absolute LAST thing I wanted was for this to get on the records... it did anyway though).
Before I had to do that, I'd already attempted to get the process started a year before through their "mental health" program. Well, that was a mistake the guy didn't even remember me two weeks after the first 'visit' and was trying to snowball me into taking advantage of the other services and things that I totally wasn't there for and really didn't need and just yeah, it was a huge waste of my time and $25 a pop. So I had given up and didn't go back.
A year later, when I'd finally mustered up the courage to mention it to my GP (something that took me a lot of alcohol to even say to my parents, that was an experience...), she went ahead and contacted the Endocrinologist I was going to see for an unrelated and metabolic problem and from there it went. I didn't even know the process had begun until after I was already in it (which I was still in denial it was actually happening).
They set up an appointment for me after that consult with the Endo, this time with an ACTUAL doctor in the "mental health" program, which was my assessment (didn't even know that's what it was at the time but there you are). I there expressed my preference to NOT go through therapy (because I truly didn't need it and it would be of no benefit to me, personally) before starting T, explaining that I'd already pretty much been socially transitioned my whole life on account of never being "socially feminized" and such like that and I got a call back the same evening to say I was approved (she'd contacted my Endo to let him know I was good to go for TRT) and that was that.
Two weeks later, back at the Endo, I got my first dose.
And then, we lost Kaiser Permanente directly after that (it was a benefit from my mom's work and they laid her off), so I got onto the county health program and we're now paying for my T out of pocket (about $92 per 10ML vial here) which is roughly $5 every two weeks/dose. But labs and visits are covered. Not bad.
Your mileage may vary, but that's how it went for me through Kaiser.
Without insurance? I have no idea. You can probably expect to put down about $300-500 out of pocket for the therapy alone if you chose that route (usually with no guarantee at the end that you'll get your approval) or can't find a doctor willing to do "informed consent", though. I'd almost guarantee that.
Title: Re: Newby and needs help!
Post by: Nygeel on April 05, 2013, 09:29:35 PM
Post by: Nygeel on April 05, 2013, 09:29:35 PM
Therapy depends on where you live, age, and what's available. A therapist will likely take more time if you are not mentally prepared for hormones. Costs vary based on region.
Title: Re: Newby and needs help!
Post by: randomroads on April 06, 2013, 11:47:58 AM
Post by: randomroads on April 06, 2013, 11:47:58 AM
In the US we have Informed Consent. That's the route I'm going but I just made my first appointment so I can't say whether it's going to work or not. I've talked to several MtF that have done it here in the States and it worked well for them.
Just another option for you to consider.
Just another option for you to consider.