Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Community Conversation => Transitioning => Hormone replacement therapy => Topic started by: JohnnieRamona on June 28, 2012, 03:25:37 PM

Title: No Health Insurance- Want to start HRT- What Should I Do?
Post by: JohnnieRamona on June 28, 2012, 03:25:37 PM
Good news, everyone! My divorce is final! The bad news? Now I don't have health insurance.

I'm only teaching part-time right now, and that job doesn't offer health insurance. Obviously I'm looking for a better job that offers insurance, but until then what are my options if I want to start HRT? D.I.Y. is an obvious option, but also a frightening one. Has anyone else on her dealt with this problem? At this point my only real option appears to be waiting until I can land a job with insurance, but I'm 37 and sick to death of waiting to get started.

Thoughts? Advice? Thanks!
Title: Re: No Health Insurance- Want to start HRT- What Should I Do?
Post by: Penny Gurl on June 28, 2012, 05:34:37 PM
Same boat again!.. except I'm in the seperation part of the divorce.. IF you live near Chicago, Howard Brown Health center works on a sliding scale and the onsite Walgreens even provides a discount on meds!  It's very aforable and they work mostly with the LGBT community.  They have many tans patients and can even be your primary health care provider.  You don't have to live in Chicago to use them and some people do travel out of state.  But most importantly it's a SAFE and Afordable place. Besides you really should have your T and E levals checked. They will even walk you through the blood work and explain evrything. I know the pain of not feeling there's an Option, but you need to persue a safe transition and self medication is a guessing game, and then what IF something bad happens?
Title: Re: No Health Insurance- Want to start HRT- What Should I Do?
Post by: Devlyn on June 28, 2012, 06:00:02 PM
Remember that discussing your DIY option is not an option on this site. Hugs, Devlyn
Title: Re: No Health Insurance- Want to start HRT- What Should I Do?
Post by: CryssL on June 28, 2012, 09:43:48 PM
I don't have health insurance and I've been on HRT for just about a year.  My endocrinologist works on a sliding scale, and my prescriptions are not that expensive.  Just gotta do some research to see what options you have in your area.
Title: Re: No Health Insurance- Want to start HRT- What Should I Do?
Post by: crazy old bat on June 28, 2012, 10:05:01 PM
cut out stuff you really can do without in your budget and scrimp on everything to afford it. That's what I do to afford hrt and have done for the last almost 9 years. I haven't had health insurance since the early 90's, but luckily, I have a killer immune system.
Title: Re: No Health Insurance- Want to start HRT- What Should I Do?
Post by: bullwinklle on June 28, 2012, 11:40:30 PM
I have no insurance. I went through my doctor (family medicine) for the blood work (~$125-$250 out of pocket), and he prescribes my hormones. Walgreens has a discount program for people without insurance and not on government-funded insurance (Medicad, etc). It cost something like $20 and provides a 90 day supply of Spiro and Estrogen for about $40 and $12 respectively. The Spiro used to be cheaper, but they just raised the price. Still, it's not exorbitantly expensive out of pocket.