I'm moving to Seattle next week. And so I was thrilled to run across this little bit of good news! :)
Washington State Ends Discrimination in Trans Health Care
Excerpt:
Washington State insurance commissioner Mike Kreidler yesterday issued a clarification that all health insurance policies, both public and private, must cover transition-related care, and cannot discriminate against transgender residents of Washington.
Citing both Washington's 2006 nondiscrimination law and the Affordable Care Act, the Office of the Insurance Commissioner determined that blanket exclusions of transition-related care are illegal.
"Transgender people are entitled to the same access to health care as everyone else," said Kreidler in a Wednesday statement. "Whether specific services are considered medically necessary should be up to the provider to decide on behalf of their patient."
http://www.advocate.com/politics/transgender/2014/06/26/wash-state-ends-discrimination-trans-health-care
Oh, wow! That's exciting! Seattle's been on my short list for a while. I fell in love with it when I visited a couple years ago. At the time, I was still presenting as a guy (well, except for one of the events I went to in which I was more andro), but I felt welcoming vibes pretty much the entire time I was there. You spread the peace, love, & happiness, and you'll get it back in return! That's great about the insurance, though. I'd heard about Vermont & Massachusetts recently, but it looks like we got another one to add to list! ;D :icon_clap:
I'm planning a move back to California soon, but if I need an alternate place to go, I'll definitely look at Seattle or Olympia.
It sounds like Washington state is the place to be. Legalization and now "transification". I know its expensive, does anyone want or need a roomate? Other than the rain it is a beautiful city though.
Welcome to the Emerald City! The hitch is "Medically Necessary" we'll see how that plays out next year. But the winds of change and justice are blowing. Drop me a note when you get to town, I would love to get together and share a cuppa and smile.
Fair Winds,
Julie
Quote from: JulieBlair on August 16, 2014, 10:00:24 AM
Welcome to the Emerald City! The hitch is "Medically Necessary" we'll see how that plays out next year. But the winds of change and justice are blowing. Drop me a note when you get to town, I would love to get together and share a cuppa and smile.
Fair Winds,
Julie
You live in Seattle? I am sooooooooo jealous. Rain, my god the stuff of rainy days are what legendary emotions are all about. :embarrassed: Jesus, driving a truck over the road that was one of the best cities that I ever went to. Actually the West coast in general. that is the one place that I really felt free to be me. I didn't get near shy and guarded as anywhere else on the I 5 corridor. I don't know but I always felt I could be me uninhibited, than anywhere else in the US.
Believe me, If I ever get there I will let you know and you can get in touch with me. Coffee's good but Irish coffee's better. ;D
You live in the Emerald Isle? Then you know something about the damp too. I try to get somewhere new every couple of years. Now I have a destination.
Cheers,
Julie
Quote from: JulieBlair on August 16, 2014, 10:00:24 AM
Welcome to the Emerald City! The hitch is "Medically Necessary" we'll see how that plays out next year. But the winds of change and justice are blowing. Drop me a note when you get to town, I would love to get together and share a cuppa and smile.
Fair Winds,
Julie
We still have to do that too Julie, been dragging my feet on account of family busyness. With all this information about the insurance commissioner's decision we're likely to have a trans-stampede to the Emerald City, there goes my property taxes again! ;D
We'll get it together my friend. I'm busy too. As to taxes, for purposes of justice, I am glad to pay.
Julie
Quote from: JulieBlair on August 16, 2014, 11:19:12 AM
You live in the Emerald Isle? Then you know something about the damp too. I try to get somewhere new every couple of years. Now I have a destination.
Cheers,
Julie
No I live in the swamp unfortunately. but if you eve get o New Orleans give me a call and we can have coffee. You'll probably be wired after though. I love Cappuccino and the drip stuff they make down here, OMG. And not no little cups either.
Craziest few months of my life were spent in a shipyard in Morgan City. The Big Easy is my kind of town. I had tickets for the Jazz festival this year, but had to cancel and go to Alaska instead :( Maybe next year :)
Julie
Quote from: JulieBlair on August 16, 2014, 10:00:24 AM
Welcome to the Emerald City! The hitch is "Medically Necessary" we'll see how that plays out next year. But the winds of change and justice are blowing. Drop me a note when you get to town, I would love to get together and share a cuppa and smile.
Let's definitely make it happen. Shan and I have been talking about going to Ingersoll and hanging out. You up for that? Or we could just get together elsewhere...start our own "Susans in Seattle" club. Hey, I like the sound of that. :)
Okay :) Seattle Susan's has a nice ring to it. Emerald City Girls is a trans and cross dressing party group I if you're into the club scene. Nice people, but I'm past staying out all night and then going to work. Stamina just isn't there anymore. Ingersoll is a pretty cool resource in this town, and if you want get active, an affiliated organization is the Gender Justice League.
Seattle is amazingly LGBTQ friendly and accepting. I think you'll like it here.
See you soon.
Julie
Quote from: Jess42 on August 16, 2014, 08:42:05 AM
It sounds like Washington state is the place to be. Legalization and now "transification". I know its expensive, does anyone want or need a roommate? Other than the rain it is a beautiful city though.
The rain and the traffic. When I was working up there as a Field Tech for Nextel a good third of the day was spent in stop-and-go traffic.
I DO have to admit to jealousy toward those who are transitioning nowadays. Washington is not the first state to require transition related expenses be covered by insurance. Oregon and California are two others.
Transition will never be easy for anyone but with the support from outside the gender community, the anti-discrimination protections in law and a greater degree of acceptance from the cis-world - its a heck of a lot easier today than it was in the 80s!
I live in Seattle, too. I've been to the support group at Ingersoll, it's a very nice group.
My prescription for Estrogen patches was denied by my insurance. When I complained to the insurance commissioner, the insurance company's response was that they don't have to follow the laws because the state is self-insured, even though my insurance is through UMP, Uniform Medical Plan, for state employees.
So basically what they said is the state doesn't have to obey state laws.
BTW, I'd love to meet more Seattle trans-women.
Quote from: - Rachel - on September 29, 2014, 10:49:23 AM
I live in Seattle, too. I've been to the support group at Ingersoll, it's a very nice group.
My prescription for Estrogen patches was denied by my insurance. When I complained to the insurance commissioner, the insurance company's response was that they don't have to follow the laws because the state is self-insured, even though my insurance is through UMP, Uniform Medical Plan, for state employees.
So basically what they said is the state doesn't have to obey state laws.
BTW, I'd love to meet more Seattle trans-women.
Eventually myself, KatieJ and Christopher will be seeing you there. I used to attend several years ago but quit until now, see you there eventually Rachel.
I need to move to WA state! I love Alaska but there's nothing like this on the horizon. :(
Quote from: Wynternight on September 29, 2014, 11:04:43 AM
I need to move to WA state! I love Alaska but there's nothing like this on the horizon. :(
Alaska, now I get Wynternight, it all makes sense. Did you and StevieAK ever connect?
Quote from: Shantel on September 29, 2014, 11:00:56 AM
Eventually myself, KatieJ and Christopher will be seeing you there. I used to attend several years ago but quit until now, see you there eventually Rachel.
It's like we're starting our own non-virtual Seattle chapter of Susans!
I'm finally in Seattle full-time now, so I think I'll be ready to get started at Ingersoll in the next few weeks.
Quote from: Shantel on September 29, 2014, 11:12:25 AM
Alaska, now I get Wynternight, it all makes sense. Did you and StevieAK ever connect?
We haven't met yet but we text and have talked on the phone a few times.
Quote from: Wynternight on September 29, 2014, 12:01:45 PM
We haven't met yet but we text and have talked on the phone a few times.
Good, she seems like a nice gal!
Quote from: Wynternight on September 29, 2014, 01:38:19 PM
She is. :)
Present company included of course! Don't want you ladies way up north to feel estranged from those of us in the lower 48.
Quote from: Shantel on September 29, 2014, 01:44:30 PM
Present company included of course! Don't want you ladies way up north to feel estranged from those of us in the lower 48.
:-*
So this is why everything went thru so smoothly. When I was ready for hrt I expected to run into roadblocks of some sort, but not a single problem along the way. Maybe I should stay current with current events. To my defense though I do live way up here in NW WA with only a flintsone tv so its not my fault, uh oh the bird says he's tired so gotta go. Dani
I wasn't aware either regarding it and live somewhere much further south. Then again I don't watch much local or national news for that matter. I thought it was odd that the transsexualism code was being approved when in the past it would be flat denied. If it wasn't for having gone to support group over in the Seattle area and then dealing the social worker through the insurance I wouldn't have known that even SRS is covered through the insurance now because the insurance plan still clearly states things the other way.
Mariah.
Quote from: Newgirl Dani on October 12, 2014, 08:45:02 PM
So this is why everything went thru so smoothly. When I was ready for hrt I expected to run into roadblocks of some sort, but not a single problem along the way. Maybe I should stay current with current events. To my defense though I do live way up here in NW WA with only a flintsone tv so its not my fault, uh oh the bird says he's tired so gotta go. Dani
As it turns out, that is true along the entire west coast US. 5 states and DC so far, I think one more state soon.
It only rains all the time on the West-side of the state. Over here in Eastern Washington it rarely rains.
Even dryer down here in the Tri-Cities part of Washington.
Quote from: Natalie on October 12, 2014, 09:53:15 PM
It only rains all the time on the West-side of the state. Over here in Eastern Washington it rarely rains.
I just moved to Seattle. But I've spent my whole life in Arizona and California, so I'm ready for the rain. I've had enough sun...we're going to see other people for a while.
And how great is it that the laws are turning favorable just when I'm ready to take advantage of it. I feel very fortunate. :)
I loathe California. I am also sick of the summers, hot weather and enjoy the bitterly cold winters here at WSU.
I moved to near Walla Walla six years ago from Texas and haven't had one ounce of regret. Wanted to get to an area where there were 4 seasons and a supportive environment. Now if the Federal Government would catch up with the state of Washington! :D
Just a heads up! I started a new thread topic regarding the removal of the transgender exclusion for Federal employees eligible to enroll in the 2015 Foreign Service Benefit Plan offered by American Foreign Service Protective Association. Such exciting news for all!!
Is this for all federal employees???
DAMN IT ALL!! Not for all federal employees. The VA isn't covered. THIS SUCKS!!
How the hell can the VA be so happy to hire transgendered employees as stated in the mission but offer exclusionary insurance? THIS IS CRAP!! >:( >:(
Yea, sorry! According to the afspa.org website...
Employees from the following agencies will be eligible to choose from this plan:
1. Department of State
2. Department of Defense
3. Agency for International Development
4. Foreign Commercial Service
5. Foreign Agricultural Service
6. Department of Homeland Security
7. Central Intelligence Agency
8. National Security Agency
9. Office of Director of National Intelligence (ODNI)
10. Executive Branch civilian employees assigned overseas or to U.S. possessions and territories; and the direct hire domestic employees assigned to support those activities.
So, not ALL federal employees, but I'm sure more agencies will follow soon enough!
Quote from: Wynternight on October 16, 2014, 12:38:52 AMHow the hell can the VA be so happy to hire transgendered employees as stated in the mission but offer exclusionary insurance? THIS IS CRAP!! >:( >:(
Because unlike banning discrimination the cisgender population has a tangible interest to exclude transition-related procedures in the insurance (since albeit by not much it would raise everyone's premiums).
Quote from: tgchar21 on October 16, 2014, 09:17:11 AM
Because unlike banning discrimination the cisgender population has a tangible interest to exclude transition-related procedures in the insurance (since albeit by not much it would raise everyone's premiums).
They just got rid of the exclusions for one sector of federal employees so why not the rest?
My understanding is that the Office of Personnel Management issued a letter to all providers which stated that they had to remove or confirm the exclusionary language from the plans. I've been anxiously waiting for the new plan brochures to verify that that is happening. OF course I just found the 2015 Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan and the language is unchanged from last year. At least open season is coming up!!!!! OR, maybe we can find someone willing to file a class action lawsuit against the FEHB providers!!! >:-) >:(
Quote from: SarahJ on October 16, 2014, 11:28:43 PM
My understanding is that the Office of Personnel Management issued a letter to all providers which stated that they had to remove or confirm the exclusionary language from the plans. I've been anxiously waiting for the new plan brochures to verify that that is happening. OF course I just found the 2015 Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan and the language is unchanged from last year. At least open season is coming up!!!!! OR, maybe we can find someone willing to file a class action lawsuit against the FEHB providers!!! >:-) >:(
I'm going to the EEOC person at the VA clinic today and showing them this. I'm going to ask who I need to speak to fix this at the VA. If I need to be the trans-Crusader for the VA then so be it. If this FSBP can cover transition related costs for a large group of federal employees then I see no reason why it can't be done for others.
Quote from: Wynternight on October 17, 2014, 08:18:22 AM
I'm going to the EEOC person at the VA clinic today and showing them this. I'm going to ask who I need to speak to fix this at the VA. If I need to be the trans-Crusader for the VA then so be it. If this FSBP can cover transition related costs for a large group of federal employees then I see no reason why it can't be done for others.
Good luck, keep us updated on this because there are a lot of veterans here who would be interested!
Quote from: Shantel on October 17, 2014, 08:39:31 AM
Good luck, keep us updated on this because there are a lot of veterans here who would be interested!
I definitely will.
Quote from: Wynternight on October 17, 2014, 11:08:29 AM
I definitely will.
You Go Girl! As Shan notes there are big numbers of veterans that are needing resolution of this senseless discrimination. There is good research out there that indicates the cost to cover our "medically necessary" care is negligible relative to the numbers of insured. Part of the hang up for many of us is how the various insurance and medical providers interpret medically necessary. I am currently in the appeal and review process to get what I need. I was part of a conference call with the director of the Charing Cross clinic in London and while the NHS has some issues the coverage seems very comprehensive, routine and is not busting any banks.
I sent detailed emails to our local EEOC staff member who also happens to be on the VA National LGBT group. She is going to ask them for direction on this and will get back to me.
best wishes with altering the course with the va or AK, wynternight, I have relocated from Kodiak to Bellingham about 20 years past now and have with resistance from many been able to get some treatment locally even if there are laws requesting assitance or non discrimination we have a major lack of people trained or experienced in medical needs of Transexuals, so for the best care a good amount of services require travel to more populated areas. at least here though there are roads that can get me there (tehe). I do enjoy the Northwest and find it very easy to get along socially and with work, but not without having to deal with the same issues as else where just less often
I recently received an e-mail from Equal Rights Washington that stated,
"Earlier today, the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) voted to support transgender inclusive healthcare for public employees in Washington. The PEBB coordinates and purchases health insurance for Washington's 350,000 state workers and retirees.
Beginning on January 1st, 2015, hormones, mental health, and other non-surgical healthcare services will be provided for the treatment of gender dysphoria (a well- recognized medical condition in which the sex a person is assigned at birth does not match the gender they know themselves to be). Beginning on July 1, 2015, coverage will include benefits for surgical services for the treatment of gender dysphoria..."
WooHoo!
Jaysis. I'm moving to WA.
Quote from: - Rachel - on October 20, 2014, 08:22:03 PM
I recently received an e-mail from Equal Rights Washington that stated,
"Earlier today, the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) voted to support transgender inclusive healthcare for public employees in Washington. The PEBB coordinates and purchases health insurance for Washington's 350,000 state workers and retirees.
Beginning on January 1st, 2015, hormones, mental health, and other non-surgical healthcare services will be provided for the treatment of gender dysphoria (a well- recognized medical condition in which the sex a person is assigned at birth does not match the gender they know themselves to be). Beginning on July 1, 2015, coverage will include benefits for surgical services for the treatment of gender dysphoria..."
WooHoo!
Link, or more info? The city I work claimed (~2 months ago) that they are exempted because they are self-insured...I don't want to change policies but I might have to!
I also was denied hormone coverage after the original announcement and filed a complaint with the insurance commissioner. My complaint was forwarded to the insurance company which used the same lame excuse. The State was self-insured, so the State didn't have to obey state (of Washington) laws. I was ready to seek legal advice for filing an appeal, when I read this:
"Transgender state employees in Washington will soon be assured of getting health coverage, including office visits, hormonal treatment and mental health care.
Coverage could begin as soon as January 2015 under a plan approved by a state board Thursday. Coverage of surgical needs will have to wait another six months, to July 1.
The unanimous vote by the Public Employees Benefits brings an end to exclusions that some employee health plans used to deny services for transgender people. The vote drew immediate praise from advocacy groups, including a few people who attended the meeting and broke out in applause when the vote was recorded."
read the whole article (http://www.thenewstribune.com/2014/07/31/3311271_pebb-votes-to-add-transgender.html?rh=1)
Here's another article about the announcement (http://www.hrc.org/blog/entry/washington-state-to-implement-transgender-inclusive-healthcare-for-public-e)
edit: Here's the PDF of the press release (http://www.pridefoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/7.31.14-Coalition-for-Inclusive-Healthcare-PEBB-statement-FINAL.pdf)
Good job Rachel, looks like you've been doing your homework!
Moving to Washington has always been my endgame. Ever since Twilight (don't hate me) I've wanted to move there because of the weather. I mean, definitely not to the town that was filmed in... way too may crazy fans... but somewhere in the general area. I love overcast and weather that isn't too hot or too cold, so it's pretty much ideal. And it's super liberal there in the NW part, so that's awesome. I don't fit in at all in Oklahoma with everyone being super conservative religious fundamentalists... it's super scary living here as a transgender too.
I'm looking for a job here in Oklahoma right now but after I get one and save up a bit of money I'll move to Washington, probably in the Seattle area. Definitely gonna have to find a roommate considering how high I hear the cost of living is over there.
I've got a question for all of you girls transitioning in Washington... What all is covered? I found this which lists medically necessary procedures...
QuoteWhat Medical Treatments are Required?
According to the World Professional Organization for Transgender Health (http://www.wpath.org/), medically necessary procedures transsexuals usually must undergo include
- Psychological counselling, for the initial diagnosis, for guidance through the transition, and to obtain the letter required for surgery
- Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) to adjust their body to their new gender role
- Doctor's office visits in support of HRT. This includes lab work and other monitoring of the HRT.
- Permanent facial hair removal for transsexual women. This will usually include laser treatments and/or electrolysis on the face and neck, and possibly on the body.
- Breast augmentation (or prosthesis) for trans women.
- Bilateral mastectomy and chest reconstruction for transsexual men..
- A hysterectomy may also be medically indicated for trans men.
- In many cases, genital reconstruction (also called sex reassignment surgery) is also indicated for both trans men and women.
- Skin flap hair removal.
- Penile and testicular prostheses, as necessary for trans men.
- Certain facial plastic reconstruction as appropriate to the patient.
Nongenital surgical procedures are routinely performed... notably, subcutaneous mastectomy in female-to-male transsexuals, and facial feminization surgery, and/or breast augmentation in male-to-female transsexuals. These surgical interventions are often of greater practical significance in the patient's daily life than reconstruction of the genitals. [Monstrey S, De Cuypere G, Ettner R,.(2007) . Surgery: General Principles. In Ettner R et al (eds) Principles of Transgender Medicine and Surgery. New York:Haworth Press:2007.p.90.] These procedures are not optional, but may be required to save a life. They are also required by mosts states before personal documentation, such as the drivers license and birth certificate, can be updated with a new gender marker, permitting the person to live a normal life.
Are hormones, doctor visits, lab work, breast implants, hair removal, facial feminization, and SRS all really covered?
Some things are. For me that means SRS, Doctor's visits (co pays), lab work, HRT (co pay), therapy, and if I wanted a BA they would cover that. You maybe able to find some that cover other things on the MtF side but you would need to look around. Each company handles it differently. Hugs
Mariah