Susan's Place Transgender Resources

i was just wonder how everyone got around to financing for therapy,hormones, srs etc etc. how did you plan? what insurance would be best? etc.

im just beginning my transition, it will be difficult esp. since im uninsured and working part time.

through this topic i am hoping to gain ideas from the member's posts and make this transition easier even if only a little, for me and for others who have the same questions as i.

-Jennifer.

I pay $20 a visit for my therapist

$70 an hour for electro

$20 a month for hormones.

The therapist and hormones are only going to last through this year as I graduate college in June so I don't know what I'm going to do at that point.  I'll probably invest in a single plan for health insurance.  My brother is having to do it right now because he just graduated so I'm going to talk to him or my parents sometime about how that works.

PS colleges have health coverage plans that automatically come billed into the schooling unless you petition otherwise.  So look into that, although if you're going to a JC or something they might not have the health services of a larger university that can provide hormones and etc once you get the recommendation from the therapist.

I didn't know if my parents would support me or not in the beginning so I worked to save up for my transition incase things just didn't quite work out.  In the end however they paid for a majority of my stuff and I have their full support.  I have been paying for my electro and therapy though recently because money has been getting tighter because my brother is moving and needs some extra help right now, which I totally understand so we had to compromise on that.

If you can get injections for hormones or something once you get to that stage, they're fairly cheap (like $50 for 6 months).  Therapy is probably going to be your biggest expense.  Before I found one that took insurance AND was a gender therapist I was dropping $130 a session which is so absurd to me.

[Laura91] i certainly hope i get lucky and dont have to pay too much as i am only doing this on a part time check. :[

[Becca] ----Im 19 yrs old , I live in California, in a small city 50 minutes off L.A.
My paychecks range anywhere from 230 - 310. i get payed every other week. Im not planning on spending much on Electro since i have very little facial hair. Im going to a Junior college right now hoping to transfer to a UC in about 2-3 yrs and take advantage of their SRS coverage. I live with my parents. Even though i do dislike needles i have chosen that i would like to take injections like [Shanetastic] said instead of orally administered hormones.
I dont smoke at all, dont drink either. Im already very feminine looking and sometimes while with my best friend [who is lesbian] people confuse me for her girlfriend lol.

yup well i cant think of anything else :P

I agree you are quite pretty  :-*

What's a UC and where can I find one? What is it that your'e worrying about financing? You seem to have your head on your shoulders and enough resources, so go girl. I guess the meds aren't that much, but yeah, being uninsured the labs could set you back a bit but it's not like you need them every week. 

aww thank you Becca! ^_^
i need to pluck those eyebrows tho havent done that in like 2 months haha

UC is University of California. most of the campuses offer to pay for transition. some even going up to 75k in coverage!! :OOOOO

what im worried is the therapist/bloodwork/hormones lol basically everything. i just need some guidance as to how i can get all that at the smallest price.

Quote from: BubbleTea on September 02, 2009, 12:13:39 AM
aww thank you Becca! ^_^
i need to pluck those eyebrows tho havent done that in like 2 months haha

UC is University of California. most of the campuses offer to pay for transition. some even going up to 75k in coverage!! :OOOOO

what im worried is the therapist/bloodwork/hormones lol basically everything. i just need some guidance as to how i can get all that at the smallest price.

UCs really pay for this stuff!?!?

If so I better get on that!

Yessum!! heres a link to the comparisons chart and all. their insurance is really good!


http://www.uclgbtia.org/transhealth.html (http://www.uclgbtia.org/transhealth.html)

http://www.uclgbtia.org/TransHealthUC09-10.pdf (http://www.uclgbtia.org/TransHealthUC09-10.pdf)

at first i couldnt believe what i was reading but its official :D

QuoteUnknown but not excluded.

If i do grad school at a UC which was what I was hoping maybe I could snag some benefits from them haha.  Even a little bit would help eh hehe

I'd hurry, UC is cutting costs at the speed of light -and with that, openings in programs, the local Sonoma State College turned away a record number of students this fall because they had cut 10% of the classes across the board. So people who had good grades and had been admitted, have been told there is no more room for them.  Its only a matter of time before some of this stuff falls under the axe also.  I would not be surprised to see a few of the campuses put into mothball status in the next few years, not the biggies like UCLA, or UC Berkeley, but Fresno and a few others might find it harder to keep on going.

yeah they are cutting back alot but UCLA will prob keep it around the same, they just approved coverage for transgenders like 1 or 2 months ago so no dramatic differences should be in the near future.
San Diego and San France are also good for coverage.

Well isn't that the damndest thing, it seems to good to be true. I'll hafta look into it some more. If grad school in California costs $50k more than here, it defeats the point.

Anyway tracking down clinics and therapists that work on a sliding fee scale is probably the best bet. Start at county mental health departments if your'e clueless, and they will probably be able to direct you to someone. Meds wise, my labs run around $200 for basic metabolics, testosterone total and free and serum estradiol. You don't really need the serum estradiol I just like to have it. You only need labs every 3-4 months anyway so it's not huge. Before insurance my spiro ran about $25 a month, and estradiol is $14. Look into generic Avodart, it's tons cheaper. I know it sounds like a drag but sweety hormones are the best thing since grape jelly and prolly the best money you'll ever spend.

It boils down to sacrifice and wanting it. I'm not suggesting you live like a hermit, but the difference between a $1 cup of coffee and a $8 cup adds up pretty fast over time.

The trouble with - or the best part of - cutting back is there are less spaces to enroll, making it much harder to get in, which in the case of UC (Berkeley) is pretty much limited to people in the top 1-2% of the graduating class to begin with.

Wow, I love California even more now.  I was already thinking about UC Irvine for Grad School only to see that for whatever reason they only give trans health care to undergrad.  Maybe that will change by the time I end up applying.

Except the 'out of state' tuition rate is astronomical, Harvard might be cheaper in the end.  California State Colleges and Universities were created for, and supported by, the people of the State of California for their kids, and its by intent that the residency requirements (perhaps the longest in the US) and out of state tuition rates are set so that out of state people really can't afford to go to school here.

Yep, and now with the budget cuts despite my GPA and extra curricular activities I still have to fear of getting into anywhere for Grad school.  Economy makes it suck for all of us, and I hope my ambitions aren't limited because of state budgets, which I have a feeling might be.

The current thought is that there is going to be about 10-15% fewer places in most programs come next academic acceptance time.

I don't have an insurance for GID, so I pay everything out of my pocket.
As for the surgeries, I'm using my savings.

Quote from: aurora17 on September 05, 2009, 01:28:36 AM
I don't have an insurance for GID, so I pay everything out of my pocket.
As for the surgeries, I'm using my savings.

about how much monthly do you end up putting towards transition?

i think i might have to go at this without insurance :[

Quote from: BubbleTea on September 05, 2009, 02:10:36 AM
about how much monthly do you end up putting towards transition?

i think i might have to go at this without insurance :[
[/quote
Currently between 1000 and 1500 USD a month. I'm paying for hormones, laser hair removal sessions and hairdresser, and saving at least 1000 USD a month for surgery.
I should be on schedule for paying the FFS next year.

Quote from: aurora17 on September 05, 2009, 02:21:35 AM

Quote from: BubbleTea on September 05, 2009, 02:10:36 AM
about how much monthly do you end up putting towards transition?

i think i might have to go at this without insurance :[

Currently between 1000 and 1500 USD a month. I'm paying for hormones, laser hair removal sessions and hairdresser, and saving at least 1000 USD a month for surgery.
I should be on schedule for paying the FFS next year.

wow thats alot :/ i dont know if i could afford that on a part time job lol...then again i dont really need hair removal or hairdresser. how much is just for hormones/therapy?
gotta find a way to make it work. ._.

Quote from: BubbleTea on September 05, 2009, 02:33:39 AM

wow thats alot :/ i dont know if i could afford that on a part time job lol...then again i dont really need hair removal or hairdresser. how much is just for hormones/therapy?
gotta find a way to make it work. ._.

For hormones, I pay for myself and for a friend, who cannot afford it. It amounts to around 200 USD/month on average.

Quote from: aurora17 on September 05, 2009, 02:21:35 AM

Currently between 1000 and 1500 USD a month. I'm paying for hormones, laser hair removal sessions and hairdresser, and saving at least 1000 USD a month for surgery.
I should be on schedule for paying the FFS next year.

That is more than I earn working fulltime.

Quote from: LordKAT on September 05, 2009, 02:43:06 AM


That is more than I earn working fulltime.

I'm using all my resources towards transition. I do not spend money on anything else.

I personally am funding my transition through a couple different means. 

1) Student loans.  I know I shouldn't be, but I am.
2) Part time job.  Doesn't give me a lot, but it covers my meds, gas, clothes, and SHOES!.
3) Parents.  I don't know if that is an option for you, but it could help.


I am under my parents insurance, so that helps a lot.



Costs?

Doctor visits
Cost about $300 per visit without insurance.  With insurance, $0 (although it should be $10, he hasn't billed me yet).

Hormones
With Insurance
- Sprionolactone costs $5
- Finasteride costs $5
- Estradiol costs $5
- Prometrium costs $15
- Total of $30 per month.
 
Without insurance
- Prometrium costs $32.72
- Estradiol costs $10
- Finasteride costs $42.89
- Spironolactone costs $55.88
- Total of $141.49 per month

Prices will differ based on different doses and medications (generic vs name brand) of course.  Also, it probably differs on where you go and where you live.  These are my costs, and yours will probably vary, but are probably a good place to start.

Blood Work
Runs about $450 without insurance.  $0 with insurance.

Again, it depends on what you are having tested and where you are going.  I can't find the bill from the blood work, but when I do I will update with the individual costs.

Therapy
I can't actually provide a price, as I don't know.  I get my therapy through my school, and it is covered under my tuition.

Hair Removal
Depends on the places you go, where you live, what your having done, and how you are removing it.

Laser cost $450 per session for my face and neck.
Electrolysis costs $60 per hour.

Name Change
$200 for the name change.
$5 for certified copies, per copy.  I bought 12, so $60. 

I should have bought more, say 15 or 20.  I didn't get most of them back when I sent them away, and everyone (aside from the DMV) wanted certified copies.  I have one left.



I hope that information helps.  Sorry for my post being a little long and drawn out.  That's just how I am.

BubbleTea,

First, you are very pretty! 

If you have insurance, find ways to work it.  Mine pays for Finasteride, has paid bleparoplasty, and is soon going to pay for most of my nose surgery.  They also pay for all my blood work and my endo visits, minus a copy of $35.  So there are ways.  Unfortunately, my therapist is not on my insurance, so I have to pay $140 for a visit.  Needless to say, I don't go so often.

Best of luck!

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fganjataz.com%2F01smileys%2Fimages%2Fsmileys%2FloopyBlonde-blinking.gif&hash=4545ddf8251cf9c32ae6074d56e48bc34a755857)Kristi

Quote from: Valerie Elizabeth on September 06, 2009, 10:36:38 AM
1) Student loans.  I know I shouldn't be, but I am.
2) Part time job. 

Seconded, student loans are a windfall. For the younger kids you might think about moving out of moms and having an adventure for a year before you start college, because the funding levels between "dependent" and "independent" students are pretty huge. It's hard to save those great big checks but you will if you want it bad enough.

I moved out of "moms" like 5 years ago.  I forgot the reason I am no an independent.  Might be for insurance.  Not sure right now.

I just assumed you were an independent student Valerie, I didn't mean to sound like that. Sometimes people come on complaining that they are hardly getting anythng from financial aid and that's the only explaination I can come up with.

I didn't think you sounded like anything, or whatever.


I know I don't get a lot of financial aid because of my parents.  I barely get any.  I have to pay for 90% of school on my own, which is a lot.  The other 10% is from the government, and a little scholarship from the school.  It is what it is.

The problem now is that it is harder to get student loans.  I should have come out years ago (I know everyone says that), but it would have made financing so much easier.  I would have been able to get the full amount I need at a really really low interest rate.  Sure, I can still get the money now, but it is A LOT harder, and the interest rates are much higher (although, still pretty low).

Oh well.

Oh, are you talking about extra outside loans on top of the Stafford or Perkins? I don't understand why you aren't considered independent, I think the stafford loan limit for independent students is like 12k a year.

Quote from: Valerie Elizabeth on September 06, 2009, 10:36:38 AM
I personally am funding my transition through a couple different means. 

1) Student loans.  I know I shouldn't be, but I am.
2) Part time job.  Doesn't give me a lot, but it covers my meds, gas, clothes, and SHOES!.
3) Parents.  I don't know if that is an option for you, but it could help.


I am under my parents insurance, so that helps a lot.



Costs?

Doctor visits
Cost about $300 per visit without insurance.  With insurance, $0 (although it should be $10, he hasn't billed me yet).

Hormones
With Insurance
- Sprionolactone costs $5
- Finasteride costs $5
- Estradiol costs $5
- Prometrium costs $15
- Total of $30 per month.
 
Without insurance
- Prometrium costs $32.72
- Estradiol costs $10
- Finasteride costs $42.89
- Spironolactone costs $55.88
- Total of $141.49 per month

Prices will differ based on different doses and medications (generic vs name brand) of course.  Also, it probably differs on where you go and where you live.  These are my costs, and yours will probably vary, but are probably a good place to start.

Blood Work
Runs about $450 without insurance.  $0 with insurance.

Again, it depends on what you are having tested and where you are going.  I can't find the bill from the blood work, but when I do I will update with the individual costs.

Therapy
I can't actually provide a price, as I don't know.  I get my therapy through my school, and it is covered under my tuition.

Hair Removal
Depends on the places you go, where you live, what your having done, and how you are removing it.

Laser cost $450 per session for my face and neck.
Electrolysis costs $60 per hour.

Name Change
$200 for the name change.
$5 for certified copies, per copy.  I bought 12, so $60. 

I should have bought more, say 15 or 20.  I didn't get most of them back when I sent them away, and everyone (aside from the DMV) wanted certified copies.  I have one left.



I hope that information helps.  Sorry for my post being a little long and drawn out.  That's just how I am.

Wow, thanks alot Valerie! i know that prices arent the same everywhere but this gives me a good view of how much i will need to pay. I might be able to get insurance through my mom. they offered her a plan a few days ago, i'll see how that goes. Its supposed to be thru HealthNet whis is supposed to cover some of the costs for transition..

Quote from: Kristi on September 06, 2009, 10:45:31 AM
BubbleTea,

First, you are very pretty! 

If you have insurance, find ways to work it.  Mine pays for Finasteride, has paid bleparoplasty, and is soon going to pay for most of my nose surgery.  They also pay for all my blood work and my endo visits, minus a copy of $35.  So there are ways.  Unfortunately, my therapist is not on my insurance, so I have to pay $140 for a visit.  Needless to say, I don't go so often.

Best of luck!

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fganjataz.com%2F01smileys%2Fimages%2Fsmileys%2FloopyBlonde-blinking.gif&hash=4545ddf8251cf9c32ae6074d56e48bc34a755857)Kristi

Thanks Kristi!
haha a cousin of mine has your name also xD
i was just wondering, what is the Finasteride used for? would i need it too? i thought i would only need oestrogen and spiro...   ???

Spironolactone blocks a lot of your testosterone but not all. Finasteride and it's big sister Dutasteride keep most of that tiny little bit that's left from hurting you. The idea is to stop as much of the masculinising effects of testosterone as possible, and the effects of fin/dutas-teride really help with that. It's actually a really interesting process to read about with words like DHT and active metabolites, and definitely worth reading up on before you start putting them in your body.

I read somewhere once that two years worth of Avodart costs about as much as an orchiectomy, and thought that was a rather interesting concept. Using generic avodart I haven't looked into it but it's a good approach too I guess. I dunno how orchis go though, is it the same qualifiers as an srs letter or? Now that I think of it the price of avodart has probably come down too with generic competitors showing up, but it's still an idea.

BubbleTea, sorry to get out of subject but I would have jumped on you if you were a straight male.  >:-) You're so cute. Oops, sorry sister I think I'm becoming lesbian...

Quote from: Shelina on September 11, 2009, 04:19:17 AM
BubbleTea, sorry to get out of subject but I would have jumped on you if you were a straight male.  >:-) You're so cute. Oops, sorry sister I think I'm becoming lesbian...

lol alright that scared me hahah. i'll just take that as a compliment :P how bout the new photo :D

Quote from: BubbleTea on September 11, 2009, 05:48:34 PM
lol alright that scared me hahah. i'll just take that as a compliment :P how bout the new photo :D

Eww no more, your feminine face and big boobs freaks me off. LOL!  ;D