For those who have had SRS, where did you go to get this stuff done? And was it covered under insurance? If not, was it really expensive? I'm a little worried about that. I can't afford another $400 bill. I am having surgery with Dr. Chettawut and he requires to have blood work and x ray sent to him 6 weeks before surgery. I'm not sure if I am able to go to a walk-in clinic for this or if I have to go to the hospital. I'm also not aware of any paperwork that I need to take with me in order to have this stuff done, which seems strange. Do I just walk in and say I need my blood tested for this, this, and that? Seems weird.
I didn't need an x-ray. My surgeon/hospital asked for a physical (which I got from my doctor, the same guy that prescribes my HRT), bloodwork, which I went to the lab my insurances uses, though my doctor's office could have done it also), and an EKG, which my doctor's office carried out.
I'll have to e-mail my doctor about it. His office is really far and I didn't want to have to travel there, but I suppose I could go to a lab nearby. I'm just concerned about the insurance because the blood work and x ray are preparation for a surgery that isn't considered medically necessary. That makes me assume it wouldn't be covered. I would rather not have to mention what surgery I'm getting. I'm dreading having to go.
Quote from: Dee92xoxo on July 02, 2014, 08:29:33 PM
I'm just concerned about the insurance because the blood work and x ray are preparation for a surgery that isn't considered medically necessary. That makes me assume it wouldn't be covered. I would rather not have to mention what surgery I'm getting. I'm dreading having to go.
I didn't have a problem. They were ordered by a doctor, and therefore the insurance company didn't care. When they order pre-op tests they don't need to tell what surgery the tests are fore.
When had my surgery I went to my prim care Dr. at the time and came clean, figured he's a Dr. so.... Then told him what my surgeon "Chettawut" needed, he ordered the tests, had x-rays and blood work covered, and I paid my co-pay. Now is not the time to be shy with a doctor, be frank with tell him what is up and be concise and to the point. I was nervous as hell too when I went and told him as I hadn't told him I was trans, lol the look on his face lol, anyway he said my x-ray was to check for pneumonia, and the blood work was to test for my general health and auto immune disorders. It went smoothly.
I went to my gp (clinic) for the preop physical and insurance didn't bat an eye when it came to paying for it. Paying out of pocket though might be a little more. CBC is reasonably cheap ($25 estimate) as is liver panel and PTT. The real cost is in the chest x-ray which can go from $65 to $150 depending on where (just like the cash price of blood labs).
Although to be fair the clinic I go to might as well be a hospital with the amount of services offered. Might need another trip depending on what clinic you go to.
I had it done as part of my yearly physical; I brought in the surgeon's list of bloodwork and my doctor ordered it, no problem with him or with insurance. But I *only* had bloodwork, no X-ray or EKG.