I'm a bit on edge today.  About two weeks ago I accidentally discovered that my insurance, Anthem Blue Cross / Blue Shield, covers gender reassignment surgery.  That is they cover it up to a point.  If you were curious about the medical guidelines, here they are.  http://www.empireblue.com/medicalpolicies/guidelines/gl_pw_a051166.htm

Of course that's good news.  A few days later I visited Dr. Sherman Leis in PA to get some quotes and hopefully get the ball rolling.  He was a bit gruff and a little informal and the rumor about him not using gloves during examinations is true.  I'm just going to pray he uses them during surgery.  He pressed me very hard to do the penoplasty despite admitting the results were be merely cosmetic.  Which is interesting because he would have to deface another part of my body to get the flap of skin he'd roll up.  I'm sticking with the metoidioplasty because even if it's small at least it's my natural equipment. 

I also need top surgery and a full hysterectomy.  I'm certain the hysterectomy will be covered.  I am worried about the top surgery because I don't see any codes for that.  It would be strange if they covered bottom and not top.  Once the bottom is done I can legally change my gender which is good but I'll possibly feel even more incomplete than before. 

Even if they do cover both top and bottom there still will be a deductible I would have to meet, $3,000, before insurance covered anything.  After that they would cover approximately 75%.  So it's by no means free.     

The point is though, I don't know.  I just have to sit here and wait for what is of utmost importance to me.  It's almost worse knowing there is a chance it could be done but without any certain outcome.  To dangle it all within sight and then take it away would be hard for me to handle.  Yesterday I got a letter from the insurance company.  They approved a procedure which I didn't ask for.  It was 56805 clitoral repair which is technically an MTF procedure.  Was that a mistake?  Do they not know what's really going on with me?     

I have to wait until Monday to call the doctors office and possibly insurance and find out what's going on.   Just I hate this waiting and not knowing what is going to happen next.

Has anyone else used Anthem to covered any SRS surgeries and how did that go for you?         

Is that kind of talk really necessary?  If the procedure isn't for you just say so, no need to shame others.

It didn't occur to me that line would bother others.  It's just my personal opinion after all.  I'll take it down

Quote from: Squirrel698 on March 30, 2013, 03:55:11 PM
It didn't occur to me that line would bother others.  It's just my personal opinion after all.  I'll take it down

Thank you for editing that out.  It's best to realize when talking about an issue as sensitive as bottom surgery and people's bodies respectful language should be used.  Personal opinion is not an excuse to use crass, disrespectful language.  Opinions can be voiced in a respectful manner through the use of "I" statements, (ex: "I do not like the surgical results of [whatever procedure]") 

No problem.  This is a support website after all.  It's never my intention to hurt anyone.  I'll tread more carefully.

By the way if anyone really doesn't like that sort of language I would recommend they don't go to Dr. Leis.  He didn't shy around the topic at all. 

Here's a helpful guideline:

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,65184.0.html