Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Hi, I recently turned 65 and am enrolled in Medicare for the first time. I have been out as a trans woman for seven years and I'm hoping to finally get my GCS. Does anyone think that Medicare will continue to cover it after T***p takes office? I could never get my employer to approve it. I am at my wits end.
Thank you
Stephanie S :)

@StephShan
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              @LoriDee

Quote from: StephShan on December 01, 2024, 02:16:09 PM
Hi, I recently turned 65 and am enrolled in Medicare for the first time. I have been out as a trans woman for seven years and I'm hoping to finally get my GCS. Does anyone think that Medicare will continue to cover it after T***p takes office? I could never get my employer to approve it. I am at my wits end.
Thank you
Stephanie S :)
 (https://www.susans.org/index.php/board,8.0.html)

Hello StephShan,

I'm Lori Dee. Welcome to Susan's Place!

Thank you for joining the forum and contributing to the discussions.

We strive to make this a safe place to find information and share your thoughts and comments. Our members come from all over the world and have many experiences. No matter who you are, you are always welcome at Susan's Place. Perhaps some of their stories can help you, too.

In answer to your question, it does not look like it will be possible. Trump has stated very clearly that he intends to stop all taxpayer-funded gender-affirming care, including surgeries. At first, I was hopeful that he was just making campaign promises that he wouldn't keep. But his website lists his Agenda 47 (https://www.donaldjtrump.com/agenda47/president-trumps-plan-to-protect-children-from-left-wing-gender-insanity) which makes it clear that he intends to stop it "on Day One". That has us all nervous.

Of course, we have many support organizations standing by ready to file challenges in court to fight his agenda. However, that could take several years to resolve. All we can do is hang tough and wait to see what happens.

Clicking the HOME button will take you to a page where you can see the various sub-forums. Feel free to comment and share your experiences too.

Please keep in mind when posting that this is an ALL-AGES PUBLIC Forum and the internet never forgets. Do not post anything that you do not want to be made public.

Once again, Welcome to Susan's Place!

~ Lori Dee
Forum Staff

@StephShan
@Sarah B
@Northern Star Girl

Quote from: StephShan on December 01, 2024, 02:16:09 PMDoes anyone think that Medicare will continue to cover it

Welcome, Stephanie!

I have not come across anyone who expects Medicare to continue to cover trans health care. My wife's surgery is scheduled for Jan. 16 -- just in time.

We hope that any action won't be retroactive.

We can't predict what will happen, but some of us rushed to the post office to get a passport to make sure that we have a federal document supporting our name and gender.

I constantly remind myself that fear is Fictional Events Apprearing Real. In other words, anything can happen. I'm working on seeing the coming events as opportunities somehow. I'm bracing for worse than I dare imagine, and focusing on what makes me happy during each present moment.

I wish you courage. You're sure to find some here in this community.

Hello Stephanie

My name is Sarah B and I would also like to formally, Welcome you to Susan's Place!

I see that other members of Susan's have also welcomed you as well.

I can absolutely relate to the struggles of navigating surgery while dealing with the financial barriers. I was in a similar position when I saved up for my own surgery.  I almost didn't get it because I wasn't fully attentive to having the money ready.  It was upsetting only days before the surgery was to be done.  In the end, everything worked out and I know how much that can mean when you are working so hard toward something so important.

I also considered surgery in Thailand briefly when I changed my life around, I had no passport at the time and there was virtually no information or internet then.  Thailand surgery was not as established as it is today.  Thailand has since become a well regarded and much more affordable option for gender affirming surgeries.  If that's something you are open to exploring, it could be worth looking into.

As for concerns about Medicare coverage, while future political changes can feel daunting, any attempts to restrict transgender healthcare are likely to face immediate legal challenges as Lori mentioned.  In the meantime, finding ways to increase savings, even temporarily through an additional job can help prepare you for whatever lies ahead.

You've already shown so much resilience in your journey. Keep pushing forward you have the strength and determination to make this happen. There are people in your corner, cheering you on.

Once you feel comfortable here, it would be appreciated if you add a little bit more about yourself in the other forums and threads.  I would appreciate it very much as, I'm always interested in learning something new about new members

In addition members of Susan's will more than likely will discuss problems or issues that are similar to yours as most have experienced these issues as well.

Take care and all the best for the future.

Once again, Welcome to Susan's Place!

Best Wishes Always
Sarah B
Global Moderator
@Lori Dee
@Northern Star Girl
@StephShan

Quote from: Lori Dee on December 01, 2024, 03:57:34 PMIn answer to your question, it does not look like it will be possible. Trump has stated very clearly that he intends to stop all taxpayer-funded gender-affirming care, including surgeries.

I'm a long time post-op and it's not just surgery or transition related issues but ongoing needs I wonder about despite having my birth certificate changed.

I expect to retire sometime in 2025 and go on medicare and I wonder about my endo visits being covered under part B and getting my estradiol prescription covered under part D...

Also just to be on the safe side I just applied for a passport before the regime change, in case i want to do any international travel..  In some places, besides being embarrassing, having male on my passport or IDs could be dangerous!!!

Scary times for us...

-Karen

Quote from: Karen_A on December 01, 2024, 06:25:40 PMI wonder about my endo visits being covered under part B and getting my estradiol prescription covered under part D...

The key thing to remember here is that Hormone Replacement Therapy applies to all genders and sexes, especially people over 50. Once you are on it, it will be difficult to take it away.

The regime is targeting "children" (minors under 18) because it is easier to identify them as "not having a need" for hormone therapy. They are also targeting surgeries for the same reason at any age.

I have never had a passport in my life either. I traveled through Europe on my military ID card. But I have my paperwork filled out and will be applying very soon.

I may need to sell off some of my gold to finance a trip, but that takes time. If you sell more than $600 at a time, there is a ton of paperwork that needs to be done, asking questions about where I got it. (I'm not telling!) Then Uncle Sam wants his cut because then it becomes "income".

Quote from: StephShan on December 01, 2024, 02:16:09 PMHi, I recently turned 65 and am enrolled in Medicare for the first time. I have been out as a trans woman for seven years and I'm hoping to finally get my GCS. Does anyone think that Medicare will continue to cover it after T***p takes office? I could never get my employer to approve it. I am at my wits end.
Thank you
Stephanie S :)

I am a late transitioner at age 75. Medicare did not pay for anything when I had my surgery 9 years ago.

Depending on which state you live in, Medicare may or may not cover your needed surgeries. Medicare is administered by each state and places like California, New York and Massachusetts will cover much more than my home state of Florida.

The only way to find out for sure is to get a pre-authorization from your state's Medicare office.

One more bit of insurance advice: Don't ever consider a Medicare Advantage plan. Deny, Delay and Defer is the motto of Advantage plans.

@Dani
Hello Dani:
Great advice...  thank you for sharing. 
      NOTE: I have always appreciated any advice that you give.
HUGS, Danielle

Quote from: Dani on December 01, 2024, 10:04:40 PMI am a late transitioner at age 75. Medicare did not pay for anything when I had my surgery 9 years ago.

Depending on which state you live in, Medicare may or may not cover your needed surgeries. Medicare is administered by each state and places like California, New York and Massachusetts will cover much more than my home state of Florida.

The only way to find out for sure is to get a pre-authorization from your state's Medicare office.

One more bit of insurance advice: Don't ever consider a Medicare Advantage plan. Deny, Delay and Defer is the motto of Advantage plans.

Quote from: Dani on December 01, 2024, 10:04:40 PMDepending on which state you live in, Medicare may or may not cover your needed surgeries. Medicare is administered by each state...

The only way to find out for sure is to get a pre-authorization from your state's Medicare office.

I live in NY. Claims supervisors at 1-800-Medicare tell me that private, local contractors decide which claims to deny, and they write the checks, however, members and claims reps can't reach them. Only Medicare participating providers can access them. Only one of my health care providers was willing to try to access them to ask for some kind of assurance that a certain procedure would be covered. Hours later, he gave up.

QuoteOne more bit of insurance advice: Don't ever consider a Medicare Advantage plan. Deny, Delay and Defer is the motto of Advantage plans.

Even though Traditional/Basic Medicare isn't perfect, I have a longer list of reasons to warn everyone away from Medicare Advantage plans. Unfortunately, I might not get it posted before Open Enrollment ends this week. I'll set a reminder to start a discussion here on Susan's about it next year, and to send my notes to my senator who is a great Medicare advocate. In the meantime, you might want to consider looking into what Center for Medicare Advocacy offers (https://medicareadvocacy.org/).

Thank you to everyone who responded.  :)  I guess it doesn't look good :(

I'm not even considering medicare as an option. I've done all my processing to have it done, out-of-pocket, at GRC Montreal. Now I'm at the wait stage - waiting on them to finalize and schedule, mid next year, I hope.

Quote from: StephShan on December 02, 2024, 01:47:10 PMThank you to everyone who responded.  :)  I guess it doesn't look good :(

We have been stressed out by Fear of "what if...". We recognize that Fear is Fiction. No one can reliably predict the future. The future is full of possibilities, depending on many people's choices. We've heard many campaign promises and political declarations but they are all fiction until they happen.

We talked about this today. My wife's surgery is so important to us, we decided that we will let the surgeon and hospital be responsible for getting paid. They both assured us (before the election) that they are sure that her surgery will be covered by Medicare. If somehow Medicare doesn't pay after all, then negotiating with us will be in their best interests. I'm good at negotiating. I've gotten many great results.

So, earlier today, we chose to let go of the fear and use our power to focus on what makes us happy.

Faith,
You mentioned that you will have your surgery in Canada. If you are able or willing, I hope that you will share your experience after you've recovered.  It might become an option for me.
Thank you
Stephanie S  :)

Quote from: StephShan on December 03, 2024, 04:10:02 PMFaith,
You mentioned that you will have your surgery in Canada. If you are able or willing, I hope that you will share your experience after you've recovered.  It might become an option for me.
Thank you
Stephanie S  :)

sure, but I am old and feeble-minded .. I'll need a reminder  :D

Faith,
When it comes to old and feeble-minded, I'm always the first in that line.  ;)
Stephanie