Hi all,
I just started my HRT in the "Trans*itions" program through the LGBT Center OC and thought I'd give give a report on the experience in case anyone was looking into this program, or if you were looking for somewhere to start HRT. It's all done by informed consent, so no letters required. Today will be my third day on HRT, and I've been so giddy the past few days, even with the minor side effects. It took me so long to start HRT, so it's been a huge relief for me. But onto the program.
They pretty much have a small network for the trans care. The doctor has her own office, but goes to the LGBT Center OC 2 tuesdays a month. Then the other part is the Garden Grove Community Pharmacy where you get your Spiro and Estradiol. The Estradiol is a bio-identical hormone, and given by weekly injection. I'm not sure if she has any other methods available, but the injections seem to work fairly well. The doctor explained that through weekly injections it's supposed to keep your hormones at a more steady level.
The LGBT Center said they set up the program to make everything more affordable and I believe it is. The Garden Grove pharmacy is really what makes it. If you have insurance they should cover spiro, and then it's $90 for a 5-6 month supply of Estradiol. Which seems to be a very good price, as last year my doctor said they would be closer to $100 a month out of pocket.
Her fee's are $150 for an initial consultation, then $50 for follow up consultations which are at the 1,3,6,9,12 months for the first year. In the beginning you pay for the initial consultation, get blood work done, then have another consultation for the blood results. Then you see her a month later. The fee for the initial consultation and follow up visits can be reimbursed by your insurance. You essentially pay her up front, then she sends you a bill, and your insurance reimburses you minus the co-pay. Laboratory fee's are $75 without insurance. If you have her do the injections it's $20 a visit. Otherwise you have to buy your syringes and needles either through her or at the pharmacy. Through her needles are $3 a peice, which is expensive. I believe the pharmacy sells syringes and needles for $12 or $13 for a 12 pack. I bought my first set of needles through her, and she actually gave me two sets of needles. One for drawing from the vial, and one for injection. So I'd have check with the pharmacy whether you would have to buy two sets of needles and syringes, or how exactly it works. Other than that her paper lists $20 for signing documents, and $35 for a 15 min. phone conversation.
If you can I would highly recommend injecting yourself, as it's much cheaper. The doctor teaches you how to inject yourself, and it really isn't that bad. It was a little freaky when she told me the needle needed to go in most of the way, but you hardly feel it. I didn't feel anything the first day, then the next it just felt like a little bruise.
Overall, the doctor is very nice and professional. She is an endocrinologist and seems to really know her field as far as I can tell. Her receptionist person doesn't seem to be very good though. When I was becoming a new patient she was really prompt to get back to me, and took the time to talk to me on the phone for a few minutes. After I became a patient I would called the office a few times and she seemed like she was in a hurry to get off the phone as soon as she was done answering the question I had. In addition to misspelling my government name on my prescription and a few other things. I want to give her the benefit of the doubt, as I've only been to her office once, but it doesn't seem like she's completely there for the patients. The doctor is really good, however, and that's what really matters to me.
The LGBT Center OC is in Santa Ana, the pharmacy is in Garden Grove, and her office is in Buena park right next to Knott's Berry Farm. All of them are pretty close to each other, but it would hard getting around in afternoon traffic, so I would try to go early. The pharmacy also has overnight delivery if you pay by debit/credit, so that's one less stop. I hope this was helpful for anyone looking into HRT, especially one that's not ridiculously expensive. If there's anything I left out, or if you have any questions let me know and I'll back to you as soon as I can.
Happy Holidays
http://lgbtcenteroc.org/services/transitions/