Community Conversation => Transitioning => Hormone replacement therapy => Topic started by: S.Heidi on March 02, 2010, 06:55:06 PM Return to Full Version

Title: Hormones
Post by: S.Heidi on March 02, 2010, 06:55:06 PM
I feel I've been looking everywhere for an estimate. I hope this isn't a silly question. But would anyone have an estimate on the cost of HRT?
Title: Re: Hormones
Post by: Flan on March 02, 2010, 07:35:37 PM
spiro at target is $67 a month (where I live) and estrogen about $10 a month (I say "about" since being part of the $4 generics, it depends on rx)

(guesstimates for labs)
blood tests for total and free T: $109
free estrogen: $76
potassium: $13
other tests vary

hope that helps
Title: Re: Hormones
Post by: Nicky on March 02, 2010, 08:55:53 PM
In New Zealand it is mostly subsidised. I pay about $5 for 3 months of spiro. My estrogen patches run at about $60 for 3 months (pills could be much cheaper). There is the prescription cost which is around $5 dollars for 3 months.

My blood tests are all free. 
Title: Re: Hormones
Post by: girl_ashley on March 02, 2010, 10:18:09 PM
I have insurance through my employer which only has plans that discriminate against transgender services.  My care provider is coding it as "endocrine disorder".  I am only currently on the lower beginning dose, so costs are likely to go up once dosage is raised.  My costs are:

Dr appointments and blood tests:  $20 copay
Spiro:  $5 Rx copay (rest covered by insurance) for a month supply
Estrogen (injectable):  ~$40 month (out of pocket, not covered by insurance)

I am in the east coast US.
Title: Re: Hormones
Post by: Kay on March 02, 2010, 10:28:22 PM
It will depend on your dosage/prescription, method of adminstration, location, insurance, and where you purchase it.
.
Often, if it is covered by insurance, they won't allow you to get more than 1 month at a time.  This is so they can charge the filling fee every month. 
Still, if you can get it covered by insurance, it's better than paying full price.
Usually though, it isn't covered by insurance.  (mine isn't)
.
So I get 3 months at a time when I have my scrip filled.
I get pills.  (So I can't attest to the cost of injectibles, patches, etc...)
.
I just started HRT in January, so I'm on a beginning dosage.  If they increase the doseage, the costs will increase too.  From what I've read of typical doseages of Sprio and Estradiol, the maximum I may have to pay (depending on my doctor's judgement) would be double the below costs (Progesterone would likely stay the same.  Also, my doctor told me that I would only be on progesterone for 2 years, so after that point my costs will decrease slightly.)
.
At the clinic's pharmacy, a 3 month scrip was
$45 for Medroxyprogesterone
$250 for Spiro
$60 for Estradiol
.
Another girl here recommended that I try Walmart, and their prescription program.  It looks promising, at about half the cost:
.
$122 for 3 months of Spiro
$10 for 3 months of Estradiol
$30 for 3 months of Medroxyprogesterone
A different girl here suggested that I talk to my doctor about changing how the Spiro was prescribed (same dosage, but larger quantity of smaller pills), so that it could be acquired more cheaply through their prescription program.  Sounded like a good idea too. (So the Sprio cost could possibly go down from the above...don't know yet)
.
As far as location, I'm in the upper Midwest (USA).
.
I don't know how much a blood test may cost you.  My doctor doesn't appear to think them necessary.  I'm not quite sure how I feel about that.  I may ask for one later anyway.
.
You can also expect regular doctor appointments.  Every 3-6 months for the first couple of years. (or so I've heard)  Insurance generally won't cover these either, so that's probably another $130 (or more, depending on how they classify the visit) every time you go in.   (Some doctors  will code things in a way such that insurance will cover it...for a while at least.  So aside from a co-payment, this may not be an issue)
.
Hope this helps,
.
Kay