Quote from: Jessica Merriman on October 01, 2014, 03:46:14 AM
UPDATE:

Well it's official! No one in this %#$@@%^$^$%#%## Government knows what is going on-------at all! Politicians have no clue about what the trans care lifting allows, Lobbyist's don't care because there is no cash in it for them and even Medicare itself is clueless. I keep getting transferred to people even stupider than the one's who answer the phones. I kind of figured this going into this battle, but at least I held out some hope however small. Long story short I will be dead of old age before I am complete. Very angry now, must breathe!  Still trying though with the E-mails and calls. 

I guess it will take someone popular to make us visible. Anybody know Brad Pitt or Denzel Washington? 

Jess, don't give up! Further more, do these two things. Sue Medicare/the government/whoever else needs it coming in order for action to be taken and lastly, try reaching out to trans people who are in the media like that women whose the star of the show called "Orange is the new black." Make sure to ask her if she knows anyone else like her who can help get the media's attention. Hell, for that matter, try taking this up with the news! Really, if a trans woman can get on the news for protesting outside of that mc d's then, shouldn't be TOO hard for you to do the same.

Hang in there and keep us up to date.

Laverne Cox is starting a new show "The T Word" a documentary. This one of the changes and hardships we face as well. This should be on her show. Getting to a place in our lives where hope should not die, but delayed is still not a fix. Always hoping for the best and hoping that if this has come this far for many Trans brothers and sisters, like me. Giving up is not an answer but talking to those who can help until we have answer is still the best thing to do.

Quote from: LadyStaci on October 01, 2014, 02:50:54 PM
Laverne Cox is starting a new show "The T Word" a documentary. This one of the changes and hardships we face as well. This should be on her show. Getting to a place in our lives where hope should not die, but delayed is still not a fix. Always hoping for the best and hoping that if this has come this far for many Trans brothers and sisters, like me. Giving up is not an answer but talking to those who can help until we have answer is still the best thing to do.

when does the show air?

http://www.edgeonthenet.com/166590
ACA Won't Really Cover Trans Surgery
by Winnie McCroy

"Although it is a wonderful step forward that our government has legitimized transgender healthcare, the Affordable Care Act's coverage, through Medicare, pays only a miniscule amount towards that coverage," said Dr. Sherman Leis, a transgender surgeon of international renown and founder of The Philadelphia Center for Transgender Surgery. "Unfortunately, most experienced transgender surgeons cannot even begin to cover basic costs from this reimbursement, let alone earn a reasonable amount for time and experience."

And there's an explanation from Dr Leis as to why he and other surgeons won't take Medicare.. Perhaps the answer is to lean on Medicare and how much they pay. You can't expect a surgeon to operate without covering costs.

Here's the other gotcha- would you really want the doctor who did take medicare (assuming there ever will be any), or even insurance in some cases, to do the most important surgery of your life, or would you rather pay someone more experienced out of pocket to increase the chances a better outcome?

The system is evil for giving us nothing more than lip service.

http://marcibowers.com/ftm/victory-medicare-to-cover-transgender-services/

The implementation of surgical coverage will be complex and deliberate. Contracts with Medicare administrators will need negotiation and roll out. Be patient.    This from Dr. Bowers web site if we could get more people talking the answers will come! A letter to the President! 

Quote from: LadyStaci on October 01, 2014, 11:57:08 PM
http://marcibowers.com/ftm/victory-medicare-to-cover-transgender-services/

The implementation of surgical coverage will be complex and deliberate. Contracts with Medicare administrators will need negotiation and roll out. Be patient.    This from Dr. Bowers web site if we could get more people talking the answers will come! A letter to the President! 

That's a load of rubbish. They expect us to wait for something that SHOULD have been implemented a while back? Rubbish. All that is, is an excuse to buy time and push our buttons. Te only thing that's REALLY going to get them to take action is by us taking action, certainly not "patience."

Quote from: Shana-chan on October 02, 2014, 12:46:02 AM
That's a load of rubbish. They expect us to wait for something that SHOULD have been implemented a while back? Rubbish. All that is, is an excuse to buy time and push our buttons. Te only thing that's REALLY going to get them to take action is by us taking action, certainly not "patience."

Yup, more lip service as usual.  I wish Dr. Bowers would tell it like it is.  The sad thing is that she is on my short list because there is a chance I can get at least some of it covered by insurance. She seems to love the media and portray herself a certain way to make herself the sweetheart of the trans community, but at the end of the day she's all business.  At least I know a local surgeon who is up front about his practice being about nothing more than a way for him to generate revenue.

I've inquired at Legacy Community Clinic in the Montrose area here in Houston, and I have to go in for eligibility. They are requesting my SSI reward letter, so I guess by showing them that I'll get a discount. I'm sort of taking a backwards approach by getting my HRT through informed consent, because the therapist I'll be talking to (via Skype) wants me to be on it for at least three months while we discuss dysphoria, how the HRT is affecting me, and the difficulties/challenges of social and family life. That route makes more sense to me instead of having to endure therapy for three months before having access. But for those who have to do that, don't think of it as an obstacle. Either way is just fine so long as you do seek out a gender therapist. Even though some of us may have supportive friends and family, a professional with a background in psychology is very important to have around.