Community Conversation => Transitioning => Topic started by: ChrissyRyan on July 23, 2025, 10:39:53 AM Return to Full Version

Title: How good is your medical coverage for transgender related services?
Post by: ChrissyRyan on July 23, 2025, 10:39:53 AM
How good is your medical coverage for transgender related services?  What does it cover?  Surgeries?  Medicine?  Doctor's visits?  Hair treatment?  Wigs?  Breast implants?  Voice training?  Psychological services?

Is it bought on the open market or paid for by a third party at least in part (such as by employment, self employment, retirement, Medicare, Medicaid, military/VA, union, etc.).  Or perhaps you live outside of the USA and you are covered by a government health care plan, such as in the U.K.

Please keep in mind the question asks for how good the transgender medical coverage is, NOT the fact that you may have HIGH deductibles and HIGH out of pocket limits to meet for any type of medical or pharmacy or psychological services.  That is another matter in itself.

I hope your coverage is reasonable and affordable.  If you live outside of the USA, I hope your wait times to receive care and medicines are reasonable under your government provided health care.


Title: Re: How good is your medical coverage for transgender related services?
Post by: Northern Star Girl on July 23, 2025, 11:05:15 AM
It is providing above average coverage,
I very seldom see billings for my doctor and other medical related visits.
Title: Re: How good is your medical coverage for transgender related services?
Post by: big kim on July 23, 2025, 11:23:50 AM
Not bad though I waited 20 months to see Charing Cross  Hospital .  I'm British  and  we have the NHS.I had hoped  waiting  times  would have got better  than 1989. No real complaints  from  me apart from the  initial  wait
Title: Re: How good is your medical coverage for transgender related services?
Post by: Alana Ashleigh on July 23, 2025, 11:29:48 AM
I'm very lucky to have very good health insurance where I work. My deductible is very low. My hrt consultation with PP, and my hrt prescriptions at my pharmacy was less than $30.
Title: Re: How good is your medical coverage for transgender related services?
Post by: Lori Dee on July 23, 2025, 11:54:27 AM
Department of Veterans Affairs puts limits on transgender care
Veterans who weren't already receiving transition-related medical care won't have access to it, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced.
Link to Source (https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-politics-and-policy/va-will-no-longer-provide-transgender-care-veterans-rcna196802)
NBC News - Jo Yurcaba
March 17, 2025, 4:30 PM MDT

Transgender veterans will no longer be provided hormone therapy through the Department of Veterans Affairs, unless they were already receiving such care through the department or the military, the VA announced Monday.

The reversal of the decade-old policy comes just days after the VA rescinded a 2018 directive that required the department to treat trans veterans "with respect and dignity." The directive required coverage of mental health care, hormone therapy, pre-surgery evaluation and care after surgery as medically necessary. The VA has never covered gender-affirming surgery for veterans.

The rescinded directive also required health care providers to address veterans by their gender identity, which included using their requested pronouns and preferred name.

In addition to ending coverage of hormone therapy for veterans who weren't already receiving it, the VA will also no longer provide gender-affirming prosthetics, wigs or letters of support for veterans to access transition-related surgery outside of the VA.

Veterans who receive care in VA facilities will also be required to use "intimate spaces," such as bathrooms and locker rooms, in accordance with their birth sex, the VA announced.

----------------------------

The VA made the diagnosis of Gender Dysphoria. The VA promised treatment. They were happy to provide Mental Health services and hormone therapy. They cancelled my voice training and my annual wig allotment. I asked three of my doctors (Primary, Psychologist, and Gynecologist) for surgery recommendation letters. All three said it was not a problem. They agreed that VA Policy cannot stop them from writing letters of any kind. Last month, I again asked for the letters. I still have not received any, and there is no copy of any in my medical records.

Yeah, thank us for our service. Lots of talk and very little action.
Title: Re: How good is your medical coverage for transgender related services?
Post by: KathyLauren on July 23, 2025, 03:45:09 PM
I am very happy to have full government-funded medical care, including transition procedures.  My surgery was fully covered, including travel expenses.  I paid for my own therapy appointments, but only to get a shorter waiting list.  If I had been patient, I could have had that covered too.  My wife's pension plan covers 75% of prescription costs, so my HRT is mostly covered.
Title: Re: How good is your medical coverage for transgender related services?
Post by: Allie Jayne on July 23, 2025, 06:53:15 PM
Australia has subsidised medications (for most HRT needs) and poor contributions (approx 10%) towards surgeons fees. Practically, all gender related surgeries are carried out in private hospitals, so paid insurance is needed to cover hospital costs, and patients need to cover gap fees (usually AUD$25K to AUD$50+K).

There is a public avenue to surgery, but the waiting time is over 5 years, and very few people actually make it. Those surgeries are carried out in private services and are subsidised. Doctors visits incur a gap fee, but those on government concessions are usually free.

Hugs,

Allie
Title: Re: How good is your medical coverage for transgender related services?
Post by: Lori Dee on July 23, 2025, 08:38:32 PM
It is interesting how various countries handle healthcare for their citizens.

We have a long way to go, but maybe someday everyone will have full coverage.
Title: Re: How good is your medical coverage for transgender related services?
Post by: ChrissyRyan on July 23, 2025, 09:00:15 PM
The estradiol tablets is likely the least costly transgender generic medicine expense.