My endocrinologist billed things as "hormonal insufficiency," which got it covered without mentioning trans care. (My insurance plan actually did cover trans care, but I guess she was extra cautious?) Also, my bloodwork only cost about $120, so that price is eye-popping.
I'm wondering if it IS covered by insurance, and that's why the $3K price tag - because they know that insurance company/plan will only pay, say, 10% and they *actually* want to be paid $300 so they inflated the price to the point that would get them the reimbursement they needed. I've had other doctors who admitted they did that (and who charged uninsured patients the "break even cost" instead of the ridiculous insurance price). I second everyone else that if you tell the doctor you're worried about insurance, their office staff should be able to help explain if it's covered and/or they ought to offer a break on the cost if it's not.
You *should* be able to find your insurance policy and check to see if it has a specific listed exclusions page. Anything NOT on there is covered; if it doesn't specifically say "no transsexual care" or whatever, you should be fine. Like, for example, mine said "no coverage for treatment preparing for or including transsexual surgery." You may have to argue a bit (doctors and insurance companies both sometimes like to mess around and see what they can get away with) but you're covered. If it does list the exclusion, then you have a problem... and should contact the doctor to see what can be done from there.
