I was riding a a cloud the past week thinking I had a shot at surgery. I 've been content since starting to transition that I could probably never get GRS because of no insurance and broke. I'm sitting in my therapists office last week having a great time when out of nowhere my therapist started a conversation of how much I should go for the surgery. I just came under Medicare because of disability and she's telling me I should look into it. I had buried all hope of ever getting it because of my situation. Now she lights a fire and I feel quite burned. Wow I'm depressed. sorry for the rant. I got in contact with the surgeon's office that did the surgery for a Medicare patient in January and they sent the information , but I haven't told them yet about Medicare, but if Jessica statement is applying to all patients it's over. That's a pretty screwed up thing for a therapist to do.
transequality dot org/know-your-rights/medicare
Medicare covers medically necessary sex reassignment surgery.
For many years, Medicare did not cover sex reassignment surgery for transgender people due to a decades-old policy that categorized such treatment as "experimental." That exclusion was eliminated in May 2014, and there is now no national exclusion for transition-related health care under Medicare. This means that coverage decisions for transition-related surgeries will be made individually on the basis of medical need and applicable standards of care, similar to other doctor or hospital services under Medicare.
the problem is that doctors are refusing to accept Medicare as full payment because they don't believe it's sufficient payment.
ok, I think I jumped the gun a little . I just got an email from the doctor and their could be a ray of sunshine here. I waiting for a reply from the doctor , but the difference from what the cost is and what Medicare pays might be manageable.
Hugs for you, Stephanie. I hope it works out for you!
Yes, good luck Stephanie...
L Katy :-*
thanks
It's not just SRS, it's other stuff too. Medicare reimbursement rates are pitiful.
Medicare now appears to cover SRS in Oregon.
http://www.katu.com/news/local/Oregon-Medicaid-to-cover-gender-reassignment-271399591.html
I have no further details about this so cannot comment.