Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Community Conversation => Transitioning => Hormone replacement therapy => Topic started by: madirocks on July 24, 2011, 06:00:56 AM

Title: Costs?
Post by: madirocks on July 24, 2011, 06:00:56 AM
So, it looks like I'll be starting in a couple of months and I'm wondering an estimate of the costs. My insurance wouldn't cover something like this, so I'm going to have to save up for it.

Thanks in advance!
Title: Re: Costs?
Post by: AbraCadabra on July 24, 2011, 10:27:26 AM
Well, not too much help if I'd give you SA prices since US or UK may be different.

But you'd have to price:
- 2-3packs 28 Estrofem or say EstroPause, (all menopause items)
- 30 to 60 Spironolactone,  (Aldactone or generics)
- 30 Finasteride (Propecia, Fincar or other generic) and optional some
- Micronised progesterone in tabs or cream form for about 16 day or right through the month.

In total roughly 160.00 - 200 US$ depending whether generic and 2 or 3 packs of E and 30 or 60 Spiro

I hope this will fly by the censors as I did not provide any dosage specifics, which should come from your endo.
Axelle
Title: Re: Costs?
Post by: madirocks on July 24, 2011, 10:38:25 AM
Oh wow, that's much cheaper than I had expected.

Thanks Axelle! :)
Title: Re: Costs?
Post by: NormalGirlHere on July 24, 2011, 02:26:36 PM
I get spiro covered by my insurance and you will most likely start 1 pack estrofem then 2 then 3 to lower risks.
Title: Re: Costs?
Post by: Ann Onymous on July 25, 2011, 07:58:59 AM
Two things to consider that are rarely looked at: 1) many docs will have the bundles of pharmaceutical samples that they will provide their patients...some volunteer them, sometimes you have to ask.  2) the prescription does not indicate what the medication is being used for.  Thus, it is not generally going to throw up red flags with the insurance carrier. 

Also, what is listed in this thread is not always what is used and at least one of those items is not needed by everyone nor does eveyrone use the same medications. 
Title: Re: Costs?
Post by: madirocks on July 25, 2011, 09:39:30 AM
Quote from: Ann Onymous on July 25, 2011, 07:58:59 AM
Two things to consider that are rarely looked at: 1) many docs will have the bundles of pharmaceutical samples that they will provide their patients...some volunteer them, sometimes you have to ask.  2) the prescription does not indicate what the medication is being used for.  Thus, it is not generally going to throw up red flags with the insurance carrier. 

Also, what is listed in this thread is not always what is used and at least one of those items is not needed by everyone nor does eveyrone use the same medications.

Thanks for the advice! I'll definitely keep that in mind when I go in. And unfortunately I'm military, and they refuse to pay for any prescription unless they prescribed it.  ::)
Title: Re: Costs?
Post by: LilKittyCatZoey on July 25, 2011, 09:58:24 AM
Quote from: madirocks on July 25, 2011, 09:39:30 AM
Thanks for the advice! I'll definitely keep that in mind when I go in. And unfortunately I'm military, and they refuse to pay for any prescription unless they prescribed it.  ::)

thats no fair but i guess when your in our a couple trillion dollars of debt you can just play for everyone's meds
Title: Re: Costs?
Post by: JessicaH on July 25, 2011, 11:01:24 AM
You can do your HRT for $30-$40 a month in the US , pretty easily if you shop around.


ESTRADIOL TABLET (BRR)
Generic Alternative      30        50           100
Drug Description         $5.90    $7.18     $10.83

Walmart  Estrodiol (Estrace) $10 for 90 pills 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
FINASTERIDETABLET (NOR)
qty                             30         50         100
Generic Alternative   $20.74  $31.44  $57.58

Walmart- Finasteride  $9  30 tablets

Costco and Walmart online pricing only shows the  spiro which is 4-10$ for a 30-90 day supply. I'm not sure what their tabs cost but they probably arent that much more.

  Costco and SamsClub both offer significant cash discounts if you have their upgraded membership which is about $100 a year.  My sams membership saves me a LOT of money just on generic Adderal which only cost me $28 for 60  generic pills. Shopping around can save you a ton of money. Don't be a sucker! Shop around!
Title: Re: Costs?
Post by: AbraCadabra on July 25, 2011, 12:14:59 PM
Just goes to show the 3rd-world is getting taking to the cleaners by the pharma companies.

Estrofem R150-00 2x or x3
Spiro R220-00 30x
Fin R250 30x
Prog (oral) R185-00 30x

R 1105-00/28days = ~US$163.50 or ~170.00 / month

And so I learn this only needs be $30 -$40 in the US, sob.

Axelle
Title: Re: Costs?
Post by: LilKittyCatZoey on July 25, 2011, 12:54:54 PM
Quote from: Axélle on July 25, 2011, 12:14:59 PM
Just goes to show the 3rd-world is getting taking to the cleaners by the pharma companies.

Estrofem R150-00 2x or x3
Spiro R220-00 30x
Fin R250 30x
Prog (oral) R185-00 30x

R 1105-00/28days = ~US$163.50 or ~170.00 / month

And so I learn this only needs be $30 -$40 in the US, sob.

Axelle
lol thats my script haha
Title: Re: Costs?
Post by: madirocks on July 25, 2011, 04:27:36 PM
Quote from: JessicaH on July 25, 2011, 11:01:24 AM
You can do your HRT for $30-$40 a month in the US , pretty easily if you shop around.

ESTRADIOLTABLET (BRR)
Generic Alternative      30        50           100
Drug Description         $5.90    $7.18     $10.83

Walmart 2mg Estrodiol (Estrace) $10 for 90 pills 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
FINASTERIDE TABLET (NOR)
qty                             30         50         100
Generic Alternative   $20.74  $31.44  $57.58

Walmart- Finasteride  $9  30 tablets

Costco and Walmart online pricing only shows the 25mg spiro which is 4-10$ for a 30-90 day supply. I'm not sure what their 100mg tabs cost but they probably arent that much more.


  Costco and SamsClub both offer significant cash discounts if you have their upgraded membership which is about $100 a year.  My sams membership saves me a LOT of money just on generic Adderal which only cost me $28 for 60 30mg generic pills. Shopping around can save you a ton of money. Don't be a sucker! Shop around!

Excellent information. Thank you Jessica! :D :D
Title: Re: Costs?
Post by: mechakitty on July 27, 2011, 02:23:05 AM
I suppose I'm lucky that I got both my spironolactone and estradiol covered under my insurance, because my endocrinologist listed my condition as "hypergonadism" on the prescription. Still, being as such that my insurance plan stinks, I am still paying around $60 a month. Which, I guess, isn't terrible...

Cheers and love,
mechaakitteh
Title: Re: Costs?
Post by: Sarah Louise on July 27, 2011, 08:55:28 AM
Please DO NOT list dose levels of any Hormones, do not give links to anyplace that will fill HRT without a prescription.

Giving a MG of a pill can give a person the idea that is what the correct dose is.  We Do Not give out dosing information at Susans.  It is against the rules.