Hi, all! I don't post much, but have been looking over the forum for info on this. I'm doing some inquiries into surgeons right now, and would love some thoughts or decision-making experiences with US-based surgeons. Because of health insurance-related stuff, I'm only considering McGinn, Meltzer, Bowers, and Crane. Not all of them take insurance equally, but the medical center at school will work with our insurance provider to arrange pre-approval for these (we hope).

Right now, I have a consultation with McGinn (and generally like the information I've managed to find about her). I think Bowers is very competent and dedicated, but her timeline is really long right now, and may not work with my schedule. I'm considering Meltzer, but have qualms about going to AZ for two surgeries in a matter of months. And I just don't know enough about Crane, and doesn't seem like there's that much good information.

I'm interested in the vaginoplasty procedure.

Some questions I have:

- (Primary question) I realize there is significant difference between the technique practiced by McGinn and Bowers, and by Meltzer. I understand McGinn and Bowers are quite close in that regard. To what extent is it advisable to actually talk to people who have gone through these different techniques? Any thoughts here from those of you who have considered these surgeons?

- Am I missing something with regard to Meltzer and/or Crane? Is one or the other so good that I should really pay more attention -- travel and lack of information notwithstanding?

- Anyone want to share their experience of having insurance pre-approve the surgeon (like McGinn, even though she doesn't take insurance directly), and gotten reimbursed for it?

- Anything else I might be missing?

Many thanks, all!

K

I think McGinn won't take insurance, that you must submit to insurance after you have the procedure done.  Which, to me is total crap ...I have spoken to dr rumor, she it's out of philly, and plan to meet with her sometime in july, when I move out there closer.  She does accept insurance, so you won't need to pay her and then wait on insurance to pay you back.  The others, not so sure about.  Good look and congrats!  :-)

Bowers is basically pay some/most/all and insurance will reimburse you.  I'm working with her person on that currently.

Hugs

Jen

I too have been in recent contact with all the surgeons you mention except Melzer. What I got is that Dr Bowers will accept my insurance, and there is a deposit of $1000, which counts toward any copays or deductibles. and the wait when I inquired was 14 months. with Dr McGinn the surgeons fee must be paid upfront, and then you get reimbursed according to your insurance policy. Dr Crane is not in network with my insurance, so I would have to pay upfront, but if you are in a network with him you don't. I think you have to pay $2000 to schedule a date, which of course applies to any copays or deductables.
Well, I too have been in contact with many surgeons, and settled on one that accepts and is in network with my insurance. I hope to have SRS as soon as possible in 2015. I think that you will have good aesthetics and functionality with all the above you mentioned.
I hope to soon contribute on my personal experience and happiness with results.
Brenna

Quote from: BrenB on December 02, 2014, 01:02:34 AM
What I got is that Dr Bowers will accept my insurance, and there is a deposit of $1000, which counts toward any copays or deductibles. and the wait when I inquired was 14 months.

This is good news for me. I was looking into Dr. Bowers due to geographic location. How long ago was it that you inquired? 14 months would be a longer time than I wanted to wait however I think it may still fit the far end of my timeline and give me time to sort out some other parts of my transition.

It was about 2 weeks ago that I inquired.

Quote from: BrenB on December 02, 2014, 01:22:53 AM
It was about 2 weeks ago that I inquired.

Cool. Thanks for posting and I wish you luck on your hunt!

Please remember that calling and checking is different than actually having paid the deposit and starting the insurance coverage process.   I went from "no problem" to "you probably need to pay and get reimbursed" once the paperwork got started and my insurance covered FFS.


Jen

Thanks, all! Super helpful.

Any others have thoughts about difference between Bowers/McGinn and Meltzer techniques and why you chose one over the other?

Later,
k

Re: wait times, when I inquired with Bowers' staff a couple of weeks ago they also said 14 months to surgery, with consultations now being scheduled for March 2015.