Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Community Conversation => Female to male transsexual talk (FTM) => Transsexual talk => FTM Bottom Surgery => Topic started by: CMD042414 on August 29, 2015, 11:26:20 AM

Title: Obtaining a "rider" for health insurance coverage?
Post by: CMD042414 on August 29, 2015, 11:26:20 AM
Hi guys,
My employer uses Aetna. I am in a union and I have tenure as I work in education. Is there anyone whose insurance package explicitly stated that GRS is not covered but were able to obtain a rider to waive the exclusion? It drives me crazy that Aetna is routinely hailed as a supporter of LGBT rights but fails to offer universal coverage.
Title: Re: Obtaining a "rider" for health insurance coverage?
Post by: Tessa James on August 29, 2015, 02:34:55 PM
I sure hope you will prevail and/or appeal any denial of care due to these discriminatory and exclusionary riders.  I am not sure about Aetna but at Kaiser they are group policies and we are unable to simply buy our way in, as an individual, if we happen to have a crappy plan.

Yes, it is very hypocritical for the big companies to tout their HRC platinum status as they kick us to the curb.

Keep it up Dude!
Title: Re: Obtaining a "rider" for health insurance coverage?
Post by: CMD042414 on August 29, 2015, 03:55:33 PM
I will certainly keep plugging away! I was under the impression that Kaiser had full coverage. Interesting...
Title: Re: Obtaining a "rider" for health insurance coverage?
Post by: AndrewB on August 29, 2015, 04:12:20 PM
Quote from: CMD042414 on August 29, 2015, 03:55:33 PM
I will certainly keep plugging away! I was under the impression that Kaiser had full coverage. Interesting...

Depends on the plan. Bigger companies can choose to cover it through Kaiser, but I'm not sure about individual plans or smaller businesses.
Title: Re: Obtaining a "rider" for health insurance coverage?
Post by: Tessa James on August 31, 2015, 12:26:31 PM
Quote from: AndrewB on August 29, 2015, 04:12:20 PM
Depends on the plan. Bigger companies can choose to cover it through Kaiser, but I'm not sure about individual plans or smaller businesses.

You got it Andrew.  If you live in California, Colorado or DC you are covered.  If you're group bought the right plan with the rider, you're covered.  And if we are unlucky about this draw we appeal the discrimination to the Insurance Division.

We will win!  Eventually :D.........