Im going to see dr. hammel in houston for HRT once i get a therapist letter. Im not sure if my insurance will cover estro and sprio but i found that generic estro is on the 4 dollar list at walmart. Im just trying too see if this is actually true or if hormones cost abit more.

There are many factors in the price from the delivery method to whether it's a brand or generic to where you take your script. Once you have the script you will be able to see what if anything your insurance covers. You might get lucky and they cover it. Good luck and Hugs
Mariah

Yes it's on the $4 list for 30 pills of either dosage. If you need 90 pills it's $10. I get mine from there.

If you go to a regular pharmacy like Walgreens it's $40+

There really isn't much variation of the generic sold in the U.S., most pharmacies seem to carry the same blue and green pills made by Teva.

Some insurances will cover it but some will require pre auth. Others like mine will say you're male you're not supposed to be taking this. Technically I can force them because NY State is supposed to cover trans care but I haven't bothered since the difference in copay is like $5. Besides when I change my docs to female it will be covered.

Awesomeeee. does the 4 dollar script apply to everyone or is there a requirement?

Quote from: taylorhbic on May 30, 2015, 12:33:47 PM
Awesomeeee. does the 4 dollar script apply to everyone or is there a requirement?

Everyone.

Bear in mind that target and I believe Costco have the same generic drug program (for those who have problems with shopping at Walmart for whatever reason). Costco does not require a membership for pharmacy purchases. I believe that is federal law.

im gonna go to walmart when im prescribed lol and save money. People told me they where really expensive, im glad i asked someone.

Yep all I'm saying is that target and Costco also have $4 prescriptions too so you have a choice.

Just be careful the bottle they (Walmart) put it in tends to break the pills if you shake them up.

Like others have said the pricing depends on many factors such as brand vs generics and copay, etc. The coverage will also depend on your insurance policy. It's best to call your insurance and ask these questions directly. Also ask them to send you their forumulary because it lists things like if there are quantity limits or gender requirements.

They said they cover the scrip but their policy is transgender hormones and surgery are just cosmetic.

I am so happy that I clicked on this thread. To date I have been using Walgreen's pharmacy, however I have no qualms about using Walmart.

Melitta

How much does spiro cost?

Quote from: rachel89 on May 30, 2015, 03:30:16 PM
How much does spiro cost?

I have to check but only a small dose (about 1/8 to 1/4 of what MTFs get) is on the $4 list. My insurance has to cover it and it's a $5 copay. This means it will cost at least $5 out of pocket. I think for my dose it's about $20 out of pocket. My dose is about half of what many MTFs take, as my T did not need as much suppression.  (It was already low)

However if you call them they may be able to tell you the out of pocket (cash) price even without a prescription. I've found my local Walmart pharmacy to be extremely friendly and accommodating. They don't misgender me even when I show a male ID and present female or androgynous female.

It is worth noting that even if you're a "male" on your insurance spironolactone will be covered as a blood pressure medication. In fact that is what I also use it for.

Quote from: .Christy on May 30, 2015, 02:22:50 PM
Like others have said the pricing depends on many factors such as brand vs generics and copay, etc. The coverage will also depend on your insurance policy. It's best to call your insurance and ask these questions directly. Also ask them to send you their forumulary because it lists things like if there are quantity limits or gender requirements.

All well and good but it's helpful to find out out of pocket costs since a lot of insurance is resistant to paying for "female" hormones for genetic males. In fact insurance from my workplace does not cover any sort of bio identical hormone replacement therapy at all. Not even for menopausal cis women. However they may have to cover for trans women since the NY governor says they have to cover trans care.

Also not everyone has insurance.

The other thing to keep in mind is that some LGBT community health center clinics such as Callen-Lorde in NYC have the hormones at reduced cost, funded through donations. They do this because they are a non profit.

As far as brand vs generic in the USA most doctors will prescribe just generic "estradiol."

So it's good to know options.

how much does a dose appropriate for most pre-op trans women cost (as opposed to the cost of spiro for non-transsexual uses), and how does that compare to the cost cyproterone  acetate?


Mod Edit- HRT doses are not permitted. TOS 8

Sorry about the rule violation  I hope its appropriate to discuss cost.


Mod Edit - The Missouri reference was not appropriate and verged on a TOS 2 and 5.

Thank you for the apology and cost is just fine we just can't have doses mentioned. Thanks
Mariah

Quote from: rachel89 on May 30, 2015, 03:54:58 PM
how much does a dose appropriate for most pre-op trans women cost (as opposed to the cost of spiro for non-transsexual uses), and how does that compare to the cost cyproterone  acetate?


Mod Edit- HRT doses are not permitted. TOS 8

The small low dose is $4. I don't have info on the larger doses used my MTFs, sorry. I will call them and ask, but last I remember it wasn't all that much, about $20 for 30 day supply.

They have a list online you can look for Walmart generic $4 list in your favorite search engine.

Cyproterone acetate I'm not even sure is available as I believe it is not FDA approved.

I know we can't talk doses, so I don't know how much this will help, but I'm on my "maintenance doses" now and my Estradiol costs me about $8. Spironolactone costs about $25. And that's for a 45 day supply.

I pay $25 at CVS for a 90 day (180) pills supply of spiro. I have no insurance but they have codes they can use. I get 90 days of estradiol for about $13. I'm NOT on the lowest dose of E. It definitely pays to ask.