OK--I myself want to become a (literal) eunuch both for sterilization purposes and, if possible*, to help feminize both my body and my face. Thus, what I am wondering about is this--would my insurance cover my post-orchiectomy (post-castration) hormone replacement therapy (HRT)?
Any thoughts on this?
*I also strongly value my ability to get erections using my penis and to have penis-in-vagina sex, so yeah.
Most likely two things have to happen. Your policy has to indicate it provide coverage and the procedure has to be medically necessary. I suspect you will have difficulty getting insurance to pay for it.
Quote from: Dena on November 29, 2015, 11:54:26 PM
Most likely two things have to happen. Your policy has to indicate it provide coverage and the procedure has to be medically necessary.
OK.
QuoteI suspect you will have difficulty getting insurance to pay for it.
Why exactly do you say that, though?
Indeed, wouldn't my post-castration hormone replacement therapy be prescribed by a doctor and be considered to be medically necessary?
It took a while to get policies to cover gender reassignment and some still don't. I suspect so few want the type of surgery you are asking for that the policy and doctors will only declare it medically necessary for something like cancer. Just because you want the surgery may not be enough to get coverage.
Quote from: Dena on November 30, 2015, 12:03:09 AM
It took a while to get policies to cover gender reassignment and some still don't. I suspect so few want the type of surgery you are asking for that the policy and doctors will only declare it medically necessary for something like cancer. Just because you want the surgery may not be enough to get coverage.
I wasn't talking about getting coverage for the actual surgery, though. Rather, I was talking about getting coverage for the post-orchiectomy hormone replacement therapy.
Again it would be determined by how the policy was written and the reason for hormone replacement. If it was a recognized medical condition, it should be covered. If it's not a recognized medical condition, it may not be covered. Something we were told 35 years ago in our group, read the policy. Each policy is written differently and without the exact policy in hand, it's hard to say for sure.
Quote from: Dena on November 30, 2015, 12:20:51 AM
Again it would be determined by how the policy was written and the reason for hormone replacement. If it was a recognized medical condition, it should be covered. If it's not a recognized medical condition, it may not be covered. Something we were told 35 years ago in our group, read the policy. Each policy is written differently and without the exact policy in hand, it's hard to say for sure.
Wouldn't things such as osteoporosis be considered to be recognized medical conditions, though?
Should the policy consider it self mutilation, it might not be cover much as suicide is often excluded from life insurance policies. You have to have the doctor certify the reason for treatment and the doctor will put down the primary cause. To do anything less would be fraud and would risk their ability to practice.
To treat osteoporosis they would put you back on male hormones unless you had therapist certify you were transgender. Again, read the policy and don't ask me for insurance payment advice because each policy is different. Read it very carefully because I suspect you would have to pay most or all the cost out of pocket. If nothing else either meeting the deductible or the cost of the policy would be greater that the cost of HRT.
How about just asking your insurance company? Most of them have such labyrinthine policies anything we say here would be sheer conjecture anyway.
Quote from: Dena on November 30, 2015, 12:54:29 AM
Should the policy consider it self mutilation, it might not be cover much as suicide is often excluded from life insurance policies.
Why exactly would surgical castration be considered to be "self-mutilation" if a qualified doctor is the one who performed this surgery, though?
Also, it appears that at least some suicide exclusions in regards to insurance are illegal:
http://www.fiercehealthpayer.com/story/suicide-related-benefit-exclusions-may-be-illegal/2014-02-18
QuoteYou have to have the doctor certify the reason for treatment and the doctor will put down the primary cause. To do anything less would be fraud and would risk their ability to practice.
OK. Also, though, what about if I will tell a doctor that I got surgically castrated for sterilization purposes (because
all non-drastic forms of birth control, including vasectomies, can and sometimes do fail) and, if possible, to help feminize both my body and my face?
QuoteTo treat osteoporosis they would put you back on male hormones unless you had therapist certify you were transgender. Again, read the policy and don't ask me for insurance payment advice because each policy is different. Read it very carefully because I suspect you would have to pay most or all the cost out of pocket. If nothing else either meeting the deductible or the cost of the policy would be greater that the cost of HRT.
OK.
Quote from: Ms Grace on November 30, 2015, 01:19:16 AM
How about just asking your insurance company? Most of them have such labyrinthine policies anything we say here would be sheer conjecture anyway.
OK, and will do! :) However, I think that I first need to ask my parents about this since I think that I and my parents still share the same insurance right now.
Have you seen a Dr. regarding this? If you are still on your parents insurance program, then you are probably under 26. You may find it difficult to even find a Dr. to perform it at your age. A vasectomy is virtually 100% effective, it doesn't come "undone", and would leave you with plenty of testosterone to maintain erections, vaginal sex, and prevent osteoporosis. If you then wanted feminization, you could use reversible drugs to lower your testosterone levels. An orchi seems like overkill for the results you are looking for, and not very effective for at least half of your requirements. Like having vaginal sex. Is there another reason you seem to be so insistent on an orchi? I say this with the highest respect, get to a sex therapist and make sure that there are not some other issues going on. These things are permanent, and what seems like eternity to a young male may seem like utter foolishness to that same male at 30 or 40. I suspect that any reputable dr. is going to ask you that same question and point out the same inconsistencies in your reasoning.
Quote from: Futurist on November 30, 2015, 01:43:34 AM
Why exactly would surgical castration be considered to be "self-mutilation" if a qualified doctor is the one who performed this surgery, though?
Also, it appears that at least some suicide exclusions in regards to insurance are illegal:
http://www.fiercehealthpayer.com/story/suicide-related-benefit-exclusions-may-be-illegal/2014-02-18
OK. Also, though, what about if I will tell a doctor that I got surgically castrated for sterilization purposes (because all non-drastic forms of birth control, including vasectomies, can and sometimes do fail) and, if possible, to help feminize both my body and my face?
Insurance policies are create by first deciding what they will cover. Next they figure out often they will have to payout then determine how much to charge from that. The policy is iron clad so they don't pay for anything they don't want to and any attempt to get around the contract is considered fraud and you can end up in legal trouble if you try to work around the rules.
Suicide often isn't covered because somebody could buy a policy and then the next day, kill themselves to provide for their family. Most of the time that clause expires after a few years but not always.
What you are asking to do is considered very out of the ordinary and if you want insurance to cover it, You first need to see a qualified therapist who can diagnose you for medically approved treatment. Most doctors will not perform surgery without what they consider a valid reason. A clear cut medical reason or a diagnosis from a therapist are valid reasons. That is why so many threads here involve therapy, because the surgeon and Endos need to be sure will will not regret treatment at a latter date. It's also why you should consider therapy as well.
A doctor who would preform surgery like this without a valid diagnoses would make me very nervous because they would only be doing it for the money and would not be considering the welfare of the patient.
Quote from: Cindy Stephens on November 30, 2015, 01:26:46 PM
Have you seen a Dr. regarding this?
Not yet, but I have made plans today to see a therapist about this on December 9. Hopefully this is going to work out and yield some productive results.
QuoteIf you are still on your parents insurance program, then you are probably under 26.
Yes, I am currently 23 years old.
QuoteYou may find it difficult to even find a Dr. to perform it at your age.
Actually, I already appear to have found a couple of doctors who would be willing to perform an orchiectomy on me (as in, surgically castrate me) if I will get one or two therapist letters and undergo some other requirements beforehand. :)
QuoteA vasectomy is virtually 100% effective,
Actually, No, it isn't. Rather, a vasectomy is only 99.95% to 99.98% effective. Thus, the law of truly large numbers indicates that there are
extremely high odds that there will be at least one vasectomy failure out of every 10,000 vasectomies. Indeed, that one vasectomy failure can just as easily be mine as it can be anyone else's.
Quoteit doesn't come "undone",
False; after all, re-canalization can and sometimes does occur.
Indeed, the only thing that
might make me rethink my desire for surgical castration would be if a doctor is willing to remove my
entire vas deferens
and sign a legal contract where he or she promises to pay
all of my child support (regardless of how many unplanned pregnancies I will cause--after all, I myself am certainly a fan of polyamory) for 18+ years in the event that my
entire vas deferens will grow back and an unplanned pregnancy will occur. Anything short than that would be absolutely intolerable to me and would only make me even more determined to get surgically castrated (as in, get an orchiectomy). Seriously--after all, we have a strict liability theory of sperm in regards to child support here in the United States of America. :( Heck, vasectomy failure certainly
isn't a valid excuse in court to avoid paying child support. :(
Of course, if you
do find a doctor who is willing to agree to
all of these demands of mine, then please make sure to let me know about this doctor. :)
Quoteand would leave you with plenty of testosterone to maintain erections, vaginal sex, and prevent osteoporosis.
Do you know of
any way other than an orchiectomy (surgical castration) which is
guaranteed to
permanently stop
all of the sperm
production in my body, though? If not, then I am afraid that keeping my testicles is certainly
not an acceptable option for me. :(
QuoteIf you then wanted feminization, you could use reversible drugs to lower your testosterone levels.
Yes, I could, but this certainly
wouldn't deal with the sterilization issue. :(
QuoteAn orchi seems like overkill for the results you are looking for, and not very effective for at least half of your requirements.
Well, I presented an alternative for you--find a qualified doctor who is willing to both remove my
entire vas deferens
and pay
all of my child support (
regardless of anything) for 18+ years in the event that my vas deferens will grow back and an unplanned pregnancy will occur. Indeed, the figurative ball is now in your court. :)
QuoteLike having vaginal sex.
Well, if I will get desperate, I can try taking testosterone replacement therapy, using Viagra, and/or using a penis pump while seeking to feminize my body and face in other ways (such as with the help of laser hair removal and electrolysis, which I plan to do in any case). :) After all, I am certainly pragmatic in regards to this. :)
QuoteIs there another reason you seem to be so insistent on an orchi?
No, there isn't. While I certainly
do want to
strongly feminize both my body and my face, I would probably be willing to be more flexible in regards to getting an orchiectomy if we had less strict child support laws here in the United States of America. :( However, unfortunately this
certainly isn't the case in reality:
http://www.childsupportguidelines.com/articles/art199903.html
Indeed, the context of this person's article was so downright repulsive that I even e-mailed this person and told her about how her article (along with many other things) helped inspire me to get surgically castrated. Seriously.
Also, though, there is this:
http://www.salon.com/2013/11/02/make_fatherhood_a_mans_choice_partner/
"Further, the one group of "fathers" the state is willing to exempt from child support are sperm donors, sending the message that it's okay to have a kid and not support it if there was no sex, but if you get some pussy, you are going to pay. Let's not support that model."
Using Anna March's terminology, I want to "get some pussy" without being forced to pay child support for 18+ years afterwards. Indeed, a vasectomy certainly
isn't going to
guarantee this; rather,
only a properly performed surgical castration (orchiectomy)
is going to
guarantee this. If you have a problem with this, then go blame our current excessively inflexible laws in regards to child support rather than blaming me! :(
QuoteI say this with the highest respect, get to a sex therapist and make sure that there are not some other issues going on.
Will do! :)
QuoteThese things are permanent, and what seems like eternity to a young male may seem like utter foolishness to that same male at 30 or 40. I suspect that any reputable dr. is going to ask you that same question and point out the same inconsistencies in your reasoning.
Let me put it
extremely bluntly to you and to anyone else who is or will be willing to listen: I would be more likely to commit suicide than to regret getting surgically castrated. Seriously. After all, I have literally thought about getting surgically castrated for
every single day over the last
couple of years and I am
100% certain that it is the right and best decision for me. :) Indeed, I am simply responding to the current excessively inflexible laws in regards to child support in the best possible way. :) Frankly, if you have a problem with that, then again, please blame the people who came up with these laws instead of blaming me! :(
Also, though, I just hope that my insurance is going to be willing to pay for my post-castration hormone replacement therapy. After all, the alternative to this would be me
permanently experiencing nasty things such as osteoporosis. :(
Quote from: Dena on November 30, 2015, 02:21:58 PM
Insurance policies are create by first deciding what they will cover. Next they figure out often they will have to payout then determine how much to charge from that. The policy is iron clad so they don't pay for anything they don't want to and any attempt to get around the contract is considered fraud and you can end up in legal trouble if you try to work around the rules.
OK. Also, though, can't one change/switch one's insurance?
QuoteSuicide often isn't covered because somebody could buy a policy and then the next day, kill themselves to provide for their family. Most of the time that clause expires after a few years but not always.
OK.
QuoteWhat you are asking to do is considered very out of the ordinary and if you want insurance to cover it, You first need to see a qualified therapist who can diagnose you for medically approved treatment. Most doctors will not perform surgery without what they consider a valid reason. A clear cut medical reason or a diagnosis from a therapist are valid reasons. That is why so many threads here involve therapy, because the surgeon and Endos need to be sure will will not regret treatment at a latter date. It's also why you should consider therapy as well.
As I previously wrote here--I have scheduled either a counselor or a therapist appointment at my university for December 9. Indeed, I asked for and appear to have gotten an appointment with a counselor or therapist who knows a lot about transgender-related and non-binary related issues. :)
Also, by "very out of the ordinary," do you mean the sterilization part, the feminization part, or both of these things?
In addition to this, in regards to regret, as I previously said, I would be
much more likely to commit suicide than I am to
ever regret getting surgically castrated (and I am saying this as a person who loves life :)).
QuoteA doctor who would preform surgery like this without a valid diagnoses would make me very nervous because they would only be doing it for the money and would not be considering the welfare of the patient.
So what exactly would the diagnosis for me be? Male-to-eunuch gender dysphoria? Male-to-genderqueer gender dysphoria? Something else? If so, then what exactly?
Also, I would like to point out that the closest cis-woman equivalent of my desire for surgical castration for sterilization purposes would be a cis-woman wanting to get rid of her uterus and/or her ovaries in the hypothetical event of a global abortion ban with no rape exception anywhere worldwide and with no safe way to get a "back-alley" abortion anywhere worldwide.
Quote from: Futurist on November 30, 2015, 09:20:13 PM
Also, I would like to point out that the closest cis-woman equivalent of my desire for surgical castration for sterilization purposes would be a cis-woman wanting to get rid of her uterus and/or her ovaries in the hypothetical event of a global abortion ban with no rape exception anywhere worldwide and with no safe way to get a "back-alley" abortion anywhere worldwide.
Indeed, would any of you say that it would be irrational for a cis-woman in such a hypothetical scenario to want to get rid of her uterus and/or her ovaries? Completely serious question, for the record.
Women tend not to want that hype of surgery unless there is a medical need so you are talking a hypothetical question that there is no point in answering. A woman might get her tubes tied which is a much less invasive operation.
On the other side, you want a life where you can engage in sex with zero risk of a child being born without sexual protection. Have you considered the risk of STD?
Quote from: Dena on December 01, 2015, 08:42:40 PM
Women tend not to want that hype of surgery unless there is a medical need so you are talking a hypothetical question that there is no point in answering. A woman might get her tubes tied which is a much less invasive operation.
The thing is, though, that this hypothetical scenario appears to be the closest cis-women equivalent to my own desire for surgical castration for sterilization purposes.
QuoteOn the other side, you want a life where you can engage in sex with zero risk of a child being born without sexual protection. Have you considered the risk of STD?
Hang on there--after all, I myself am certainly willing to wear a condom in order to protect myself from STDs as well as to have myself and
all of my future sexual partners get and share regular STD tests. :)
Quote from: Futurist on December 01, 2015, 10:13:53 PM
Hang on there--after all, I myself am certainly willing to wear a condom in order to protect myself from STDs as well as to have myself and all of my future sexual partners get and share regular STD tests. :)
A vasectomy and a condom and you still fear spreading your seed? You are really a safety first person. By the way, Aids sometimes takes a while to show up in the test so make sure your partner stay away from anybody for the several months it takes for an accurate test result.
Quote from: Dena on December 01, 2015, 10:21:48 PM
A vasectomy and a condom and you still fear spreading your seed?
Yes, of course. :( After all, the law of truly large numbers makes a vasectomy failure virtually inevitable for at least one person out of a large enough sample size; indeed, that one person can just as easily be me as it can be anyone else. :( Plus, condoms have like a 20%
annual failure rate if one takes user error into account (as I myself certainly always do, considering that I can certainly screw up). Thus, it certainly
wouldn't be surprising
at all for a vasectomy and a condom to simultaneously fail. :(
QuoteYou are really a safety first person.
Yes; of course! :) After all, unlike many cis-women, I myself certainly
don't have the
guaranteed option of abortion to fall back on in the event of an unplanned pregnancy. :( Also, I (would)
never rely on
any female-bodied person's word that she will get an abortion in the event of an unplanned pregnancy due to the fact that she can lie (after all, reproductive fraud can and sometimes does occur) or change her mind in regards to this later on. Also, the same certainly applies to adoption. In addition to this, though, please
don't (falsely) accuse me of sexism; after all, if (purely hypothetically) I was a fertile cis-woman, then I would
never rely on
any man's word in regards to adoption and would thus
always get an abortion in the event of an unplanned pregnancy. Thus, my own views and distrust in regards to this certainly
isn't sex-specific.
QuoteBy the way, Aids sometimes takes a while to show up in the test so make sure your partner stay away from anybody for the several months it takes for an accurate test result.
Exactly how many months, though? Also, isn't it
extremely hard to get AIDS even from unprotected penis-in-vagina sex with an AIDS-positive person? Or am I
completely misinformed in regards to this?
Quote from: Futurist on November 29, 2015, 11:47:40 PM
OK--I myself want to become a (literal) eunuch both for sterilization purposes and, if possible*, to help feminize both my body and my face. Thus, what I am wondering about is this--would my insurance cover my post-orchiectomy (post-castration) hormone replacement therapy (HRT)?
Any thoughts on this?
*I also strongly value my ability to get erections using my penis and to have penis-in-vagina sex, so yeah.
Without T your chances of "gettin' it up" far less penetrating are not guaranteed.
Also what state are you in? Some states would require them to cover you.
The insurance company may also not say "no" but they may require pre approval. My insurance will not cover more than 1mg without a doctor's explanation and pre approval. Prostate cancer and GID are two conditions I saw on the form.
That said, Walmart and target sell estradiol for $4/30 pills and $10/90 pills even without insurance. So there is that if you really need it. Prescription required of course.
Quote from: iKate on December 02, 2015, 04:11:28 PM
Without T your chances of "gettin' it up" far less penetrating are not guaranteed.
Can I find a good balance of both E and T, though?
QuoteAlso what state are you in? Some states would require them to cover you.
California.
QuoteThe insurance company may also not say "no" but they may require pre approval. My insurance will not cover more than 1mg without a doctor's explanation and pre approval. Prostate cancer and GID are two conditions I saw on the form.
Pre-approval from whom, exactly?
QuoteThat said, Walmart and target sell estradiol for $4/30 pills and $10/90 pills even without insurance. So there is that if you really need it. Prescription required of course.
What about for testosterone replacement therapy, though?
California? Girl please. Your insurer pretty much has to accommodate you.
And yes your doc can tailor your meds to keep your function. No I'm not really sure they can do so effectively if you have an orchi.
So why not simply have a vasectomy to prevent pregnancy and then take antiandrogen and estrogen? I don't know what your sexual goals are but if you want to have sex with women and avoid getting them pregnant while retaining the ability to have an election and feminize then this is the way to go, in my opinion.
But talk to your doctor as they will definitely know better. I dont have the fancy medical degree and stuff.
It's better if you produce your own T as testosterone is a controlled substance (anabolic steroid) and has stricter rules than estrogen. It may also be more expensive and then you'll be dealing with patches or shots as T is not available in pill form.
Pre approval from your insurance based on information supplied by the doctor. But it's California so that may not be necessary.
Quote from: iKate on December 02, 2015, 09:37:44 PM
California? Girl please. Your insurer pretty much has to accommodate you.
I'm not a girl, though. Rather, I am an aspiring eunuch/genderqueer person. :)
QuoteAnd yes your doc can tailor your meds to keep your function.
OK.
QuoteNo I'm not really sure they can do so effectively if you have an orchi.
Why exactly is that, though?
QuoteSo why not simply have a vasectomy to prevent pregnancy and then take antiandrogen and estrogen? I don't know what your sexual goals are but if you want to have sex with women and avoid getting them pregnant while retaining the ability to have an election and feminize then this is the way to go, in my opinion.
But talk to your doctor as they will definitely know better. I dont have the fancy medical degree and stuff.
The thing is, though, that vasectomies can and sometimes do fail. :(
QuoteIt's better if you produce your own T as testosterone is a controlled substance (anabolic steroid) and has stricter rules than estrogen. It may also be more expensive and then you'll be dealing with patches or shots as T is not available in pill form.
While it might be better, the problem with keeping my testicles is that I will still be able to cause an unplanned pregnancy (considering that even vasectomies can and sometimes do fail). :( Indeed, as far as I know, a properly performed orchiectomy
plus two successful semen analyses afterwards is the
only way for me to
completely eliminate the odds of an unplanned pregnancy.
Quote from: Futurist on December 03, 2015, 06:52:05 PM
I'm not a girl, though. Rather, I am an aspiring eunuch/genderqueer person. :)
Sorry about that. What's your preferred pronouns?
Quote
Why exactly is that, though?
Orchi is short for orchiectomy
Quote
The thing is, though, that vasectomies can and sometimes do fail. :(
While it might be better, the problem with keeping my testicles is that I will still be able to cause an unplanned pregnancy (considering that even vasectomies can and sometimes do fail). :( Indeed, as far as I know, a properly performed orchiectomy plus two successful semen analyses afterwards is the only way for me to completely eliminate the odds of an unplanned pregnancy.
Well if you decide to go that route there is a chance you may not be able to achieve an erection. Your doctor may then have to prescribe a small dose of testosterone because you aren't producing any. If your function is important to you you need to keep that in mind.
Quote from: iKate on December 04, 2015, 04:36:21 AM
Sorry about that. What's your preferred pronouns?
Male pronouns. :)
QuoteOrchi is short for orchiectomy
That doesn't address my question here, though.
QuoteWell if you decide to go that route there is a chance you may not be able to achieve an erection. Your doctor may then have to prescribe a small dose of testosterone because you aren't producing any. If your function is important to you you need to keep that in mind.
OK, and will do! :)
Quote from: Futurist on December 01, 2015, 10:51:57 PM
Exactly how many months, though? Also, isn't it extremely hard to get AIDS even from unprotected penis-in-vagina sex with an AIDS-positive person? Or am I completely misinformed in regards to this?
It is absolutely possible - all you need is a sore or cut around the sex organs, sexual fluids and/or blood and you a running a fairly huge risk. It's more likely for the female partner to get it but the male partner can also be infected in those circumstances.
Quote from: Ms Grace on December 07, 2015, 12:03:37 AM
It is absolutely possible - all you need is a sore or cut around the sex organs, sexual fluids and/or blood and you a running a fairly huge risk. It's more likely for the female partner to get it but the male partner can also be infected in those circumstances.
Thank you very much for this information! :) Also, though, do you please have any links to help educate me more in regards to this?
Education about HIV and safe sex is widely available. I suggest you Google it.
Quote from: Cindy on December 09, 2015, 01:53:04 AM
Education about HIV and safe sex is widely available. I suggest you Google it.
OK, and will do! :) After all, HIV and other STDs are certainly
extremely nasty things and I have already forgot some of the information from my middle school sex education class 11 years ago. :(
Quote from: Dena on November 30, 2015, 12:54:29 AMIf nothing else either meeting the deductible or the cost of the policy would be greater that the cost of HRT.
Also, can you please clarify this part, Dena?
Quote from: Cindy Stephens on November 30, 2015, 01:26:46 PMA vasectomy is virtually 100% effective, it doesn't come "undone", and would leave you with plenty of testosterone to maintain erections, vaginal sex, and prevent osteoporosis.
Frankly, the fact that vasectomy doctors are certainly
unwilling to pay
all of their patients' child support for 18+ years in the event of a vasectomy failure (and even in exchange for having their patients pay them several thousand dollars beforehand) is all that I need to know about the effectiveness of vasectomies. Indeed, since vasectomy doctors certainly
don't have (full) confidence in their own surgeries, how the heck can I myself have (full) confidence in their surgeries?
Quote
Quote from: Dena on November 30, 2015, 12:54:29 AMIf nothing else either meeting the deductible or the cost of the policy would be greater that the cost of HRT.
Also, can you please clarify this part, Dena?
I have Blue Cross and in my state the the cost of the insurance policy is $640 a month, up from about $400 as the result of the affordable health care act. My deductible on the policy is $3500. For a younger person, the cost of insurance might be about half that. It comes out to $11,000 a year I could pay out before the insurance company pays a dime. I have had blue cross for years in one form or another and so far they have never paid for any of my health related care. I never met the deductible or they had me on a HMO that didn't cover my doctor and they didn't have an Endo in the system I could trust.
$11,000 will pay for a lot of HRT
Quote from: Dena on January 14, 2016, 12:33:19 AM
Also, can you please clarify this part, Dena?
I have Blue Cross and in my state the the cost of the insurance policy is $640 a month, up from about $400 as the result of the affordable health care act. My deductible on the policy is $3500. For a younger person, the cost of insurance might be about half that. It comes out to $11,000 a year I could pay out before the insurance company pays a dime. I have had blue cross for years in one form or another and so far they have never paid for any of my health related care. I never met the deductible or they had me on a HMO that didn't cover my doctor and they didn't have an Endo in the system I could trust.
$11,000 will pay for a lot of HRT
Thank you very much for sharing this information, Dena! :)
Also, though, will my insurance cover my post-orchiectomy HRT if I will have/get a psychiatrist letter which states that my orchiectomy was medically/psychologically necessary for my own overall well-being?
Any thoughts on this?
The insurance company could question it as you will continue to have a male gender marker receiving female HRT. When dealing with the government or an insurance company, document everything because it might cost you if you don't. What you are asking for isn't common and procedures may not have been established to handle it. The more the medical community can show the need, the less hassle you will have with the insurance company.
Quote from: Dena on January 30, 2016, 08:35:08 AM
The insurance company could question it as you will continue to have a male gender marker receiving female HRT.
What about if I will take testosterone HRT, though? (While I might very well prefer estrogen, I certainly want to keep all of my options open in regards to this.)
Also, what about if I will provide proof to them that gender and gender expression certainly
isn't always binary?
QuoteWhen dealing with the government or an insurance company, document everything because it might cost you if you don't. What you are asking for isn't common and procedures may not have been established to handle it. The more the medical community can show the need, the less hassle you will have with the insurance company.
OK.