Susan's Place Transgender Resources

I am wondering if there is anyone here who has been able to use Medicare and Medicaid to pay for their top surgery. I met with my surgeon, and he told me that Medicaid does not always pay for the chest reconstruction aspect of it, and that he wasn't sure why??? I assume my Medicare will cover some of it, and they did confirm that they do. But MassHealth was not as clear, nor had an answer for me.
The chest reconstruction covers any liposuction and putting the nipples back on (nipple grafts). If MassHealth doesn't cover what would cost me $1500 to have done, I will be walking around looking like a poor woman who has just had a plain mastectomy and has no nipples. How on earth does that alleviate gender dysphoria for a trans guy???
I am on disability and have no savings. I don't have $1500. If MassHealth goes by the law, and the AMA considers Gender Dysphoria a medical condition, then why is MassHealth not obliged to pay for it? I don't get it. And if Medicare deems me eligible, why wouldn't MassHealth deem me as such?

Hello ThomasLaurent,  Thank you for interesting and informative Introductions Posting and thank you for joining Susan's Place... 
I see that you are new here and may have questions and concerns that I do not have the answers for but this is the right place for you to be to find out what others have done that may have been in your circumstances. 
Be aware that there are lots of members here that can identify with the issues that you brought up in your introduction posting. 

WELCOME to Susan's Place.  You will find this a safe and friendly place to share with others about your transition and to read about others transitions and their trials, tribulations, and successes in their transition journey. 
It is nice that you have signed up so you can share with others and involve yourself with some give and take with other members.
When frustrated or if you have a successful moment in your journey you can share it here if you wish and receive support from others and offer support to others. ....

***It's a very good chance that you might find that you will make some new friends here. 

Please come in and get involved at your own pace.  Be sure to look at the Links that I posted below, there is information about the site that will help you navigate around and best utilize the features here.
Again, Welcome.
Danielle


Here are some links to the site rules and stuff that all new members should be familiar with:

Site Terms of Service & Rules to Live By (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,2.0.html)	Standard Terms & Definitions (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,54369.0.html)	Post Ranks (including when you can upload an avatar) (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,114.0.html.)	Cautionary Note (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,82221.0.html)
Reputation rules (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,18960.0.html)	News posting & quoting guidelines (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,174951.0.html)	Photo, avatars, & signature images policy (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,59974.msg383866.html#msg383866)	Membership Agreement (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,216851.0.html)

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Oh, and another thing ThomasLaurent, please be certain to look over the important and informative LINKS that I posted at the end of my welcome message to you...   there you will find how to best utilize the Susan's Place site and the Forums.

****IMPORTANT:  So that many of the members will know that you are a new member here, and  therefore you will receive more give and take ... and sharing experiences,
please stop by the  Introductions Forum (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/board,8.0.html) to tell the members here about yourself!

Again, Welcome to Susan's Place!  Thanks for joining.
Danielle

Quote from: ThomasLaurent on April 24, 2018, 10:34:13 PM
I am wondering if there is anyone here who has been able to use Medicare and Medicaid to pay for their top surgery. I met with my surgeon, and he told me that Medicaid does not always pay for the chest reconstruction aspect of it, and that he wasn't sure why??? I assume my Medicare will cover some of it, and they did confirm that they do. But MassHealth was not as clear, nor had an answer for me.
The chest reconstruction covers any liposuction and putting the nipples back on (nipple grafts). If MassHealth doesn't cover what would cost me $1500 to have done, I will be walking around looking like a poor woman who has just had a plain mastectomy and has no nipples. How on earth does that alleviate gender dysphoria for a trans guy???
I am on disability and have no savings. I don't have $1500. If MassHealth goes by the law, and the AMA considers Gender Dysphoria a medical condition, then why is MassHealth not obliged to pay for it? I don't get it. And if Medicare deems me eligible, why wouldn't MassHealth deem me as such?

Glad to see you here, Thomas! 

Honestly, it makes no sense to do a mastectomy and just leave it "blank."  No nipples and with dogears?  Hunh?  :o  I don't think Medicare is quite THAT heartless...I hope.

I also hope your doctor is wrong, but make sure to look further into it yourself.  And be sure to NOT plan anything until you find out EVERYTHING!

I'm hoping its not like that here in my current state, especially since its seeming like I'm going to have to go the NYC to have anything done.  But then again, I'm just starting my research.

Ryuichi

Hi Thomas, welcome to Susan's Place!

Massachusetts requires all insurers to  cover transgender care. As my primary care physician said, sometimes they need to be reminded of that. I use Fenway Health, they have people who do all the insurance work for you. It's an LGBTIQ+ clinic, so you're always treated properly and with respect.

I'm a genderfluid person from Weymouth, nice to meet you.  :)

Hugs, Devlyn