I am allergic to cotton seed oil, so my doc wrote me a script for estradiol with a sesame base 4x more expensive.

Insurance won't cover it because it is a trans thing.

But if I had a script for Oxy, they wouldn't bat an eye.

My doc is gonna' foot the bill because I see him so often, he gets a great hourly rate off of me, which my insurance pays for, because the doc does not list trans as the primary reason for the visit. My doc is awesome.

Still... it is SO upsetting that this medical condition, which is cured with hormones, and keeps me from being suicidally depressed is not covered. But acne treatment would be...

Same with being trans in the military. (I'm from US) We are banned from joining but that doesn't account for all the trans people already in. Funny thing is our allies UK, Australia & Canada.. allow trans people to serve and help with transitional healthcare costs. D on't make no sence

Definitely true on the military thing. I actually got my primary to refer me to an endo and it got denied by tricare. Seeing some one outside the army now and paying out of pocket, hoping that changes are manageable. Only have 6 months to a year left hopefully. Not interested in talking to any of my chain of command, there's stories of commanders not reporting anything but why risk it. Wish I was able to wait to start but that stopped being an option to me.

It is clear discrimination.

People view transition as a cosmetic thing.

It is a hormonal imbalance. If my thyroid was over/under active, I would be covered.

  Tori, if you don't mind my asking what are you taking that has cotton seed oil in it? I am on climara patches because of my age and a compensated liver that won't do well with most meds.  Pat

That's a very unfortunate allergy. Maybe you could tell them you're allergic to testosterone, then they might cover it!

Sub-dermal capsule implants maybe?

Quote from: Kaitlin4475 on January 18, 2014, 06:16:34 PM
Funny thing is our allies UK, Australia & Canada.. allow trans people to serve and help with transitional healthcare costs.

Wow, I never knew that!

Quote from: justpat on January 18, 2014, 08:11:59 PM
  Tori, if you don't mind my asking what are you taking that has cotton seed oil in it? I am on climara patches because of my age and a compensated liver that won't do well with most meds.  Pat

My injections. Estrodiol as well as many other injectables are mixed into various oils.

What blows my mind is sesame oil is 4x as much as cotton seed. Cotton seeds are tiny compared to sesame seeds. I cook with sesame oil. It is not THAT expensive. Supply and demand I guess...

Doc gave me the option to try the patch but I swim often... I see potential problems.

As for pills, that is always an option. It will just take a bit of trial and error to get my levels right.

Quote from: Ms Grace on January 18, 2014, 08:56:23 PM
That's a very unfortunate allergy. Maybe you could tell them you're allergic to testosterone, then they might cover it!

Sub-dermal capsule implants maybe?

I would love that option, but it is not cost effective. Not on my budget or with my insurance.

  Thank you Tori I had no idea they mixed it with an oil.I did self injected chemo for a year ,the chemo was in a powder form in one bottle and I mixed it with sterile water from another just before injecting .Then got prepared for 4 days of hell.That was 10 years ago and I am still here to start on another much more enjoyable journey.My faith got me through it. Pat

Couldn't he write a prescription order to one of those pharmacies that mix the oil and hormones in house? I forgot what they're called but I know it can be be done. It's a shame the bs we have to put up with just to get what others get with no problem.

Quote from: Janae on January 19, 2014, 01:12:18 AM
Couldn't he write a prescription order to one of those pharmacies that mix the oil and hormones in house? I forgot what they're called but I know it can be be done. It's a shame the bs we have to put up with just to get what others get with no problem.

Compounding Pharmacy

That is what he is doing. He should have it in time for my next shot.

He just tried to get it filled through my insurance and they said "Nope".

Quote from: Ms Grace on January 18, 2014, 08:56:23 PM
Quote from: Kaitlin4475 on Yesterday at 07:16:34 pm
Funny thing is our allies UK, Australia & Canada.. allow trans people to serve and help with transitional healthcare costs.

Wow, I never knew that!

Oh we are everywhere

Lieutenant Colonel Cate McGregor, the highest-ranking transgender individual in the Australian Army,  revealed a friendship she shared with Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

Quote from: Tori on January 19, 2014, 01:19:33 AM
That is what he is doing. He should have it in time for my next shot.

He just tried to get it filled through my insurance and they said "Nope".

Yeah, compounding is always more expensive... 

Quote from: Cindy on January 19, 2014, 01:25:33 AM
Oh we are everywhere

Lieutenant Colonel Cate McGregor, the highest-ranking transgender individual in the Australian Army,  revealed a friendship she shared with Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

So was that friendship before and/or after transition? Abbott doesn't strike me as the LGBTIQ friendly type (despite his lesbian sister)...

Still friends, she was his speechwriter and came out to him when still employed as a him. Tony Abbott is a complete political animal who won't follow his beliefs, just ones that suit politics, I think the word is a hypocrite

Quote from: KittyKat on January 18, 2014, 07:10:33 PMDefinitely true on the military thing. I actually got my primary to refer me to an endo and it got denied by tricare. Seeing some one outside the army now and paying out of pocket, hoping that changes are manageable. Only have 6 months to a year left hopefully. Not interested in talking to any of my chain of command, there's stories of commanders not reporting anything but why risk it. Wish I was able to wait to start but that stopped being an option to me.

I managed to get the therapist covered, because she was willing to "disguise" the treatment, but my GP isn't; I'll have to pay for hormones out of pocket. Hopefully she'll prescribe me generics so I can go to WalMart and get each prescription filled for $4. Otherwise, it's be likely over $80 per.

It really sucks that insurance has to decide what we do and don't need. If you're allergic to a drug they cover, they should cover one that is comparable that you're not allergic to, no matter what the cost. That's called taking care of your customers.

Quote from: Ms Grace on January 19, 2014, 02:26:19 AM
Yeah, compounding is always more expensive... 

Not necessarily, especially in the states.

I realize my first post was a bit misleading.

My insurance does not cover any hormones. The doctor takes the hit, purchases them himself and administers them to his trans patients. I think he does it free of charge.

When he saw the cost of a new mix, he tried to get my insurance to cover it, they didn't. So the doc is buying it at the higher price for just one patient. Me.  It is cool of him, and I would feel bad but he gets to see me every two weeks to give me a shot. It is a quick visit and I imagine he is able to bill the insurance company for 30 minutes or an hour each time I visit. So I do make him some pretty easy money. And he works around the insurance limitations by explaining my visits however he does.

I know I am covered for Spiro because I have high blood pressure. I don't know the language used to get my visits and injections covered. But hey, I am covered, as long as the insurance company is told the right thing.

As far as swimming and the patches, I use the tape that surgeons use to cover surgical areas with over my patches (3.5 day). It is cut to fit and has excellent adhesive qualities, but doesn't rip your skin off when it comes time to remove it. I cut the adhesive about 1" bigger than the patches and it works great. Makes a great protective cover for the patches as well and keeps them on when being rubbed by clothing, etc.

Quote from: Tori on January 19, 2014, 03:09:21 AM
I realize my first post was a bit misleading.

My insurance does not cover any hormones. The doctor takes the hit, purchases them himself and administers them to his trans patients. I think he does it free of charge.

When he saw the cost of a new mix, he tried to get my insurance to cover it, they didn't. So the doc is buying it at the higher price for just one patient. Me.  It is cool of him, and I would feel bad but he gets to see me every two weeks to give me a shot. It is a quick visit and I imagine he is able to bill the insurance company for 30 minutes or an hour each time I visit. So I do make him some pretty easy money. And he works around the insurance limitations by explaining my visits however he does.

I know I am covered for Spiro because I have high blood pressure. I don't know the language used to get my visits and injections covered. But hey, I am covered, as long as the insurance company is told the right thing.

That sucks.  My endo made it clear to me that she will only treat my situation as gender dysphoria, so I've been denied coverage for bloodwork, hormones and doctors visits under my old policy.  Now, I have better insurance that doesn't discriminate, but I really feel your pain because it cost near $1,000.  At the very least, it seems like your doctor is in your corner and it's awesome that he is paying for the shots.