I have not had medical insurance for the longest time so I have not been able to get my 17 year old transgender daughter to a doctor to begin HRT. I finally have some money from my tax refund put aside to use for her treatment. Does anyone know of any trans friendly doctors in the Middle Georgia (Warner Robins, Macon) area that I can go to to get her started on HRT? And what is the process?

I tried using the forum's search engine but could not find anything specific to my area.

Thanks in advance!

I'm pretty close by in Columbus.  No, there is nothing at all any closer than Atlanta.  If you like I can highly recommend both a psychologist and Dr. for HRT located in Atlanta.  Both specialize in trans issues.

The process with the Dr I use is to go first to a therapist to obtain a letter.  That might take as few as three sessions.  You can schedule those sessions as closely together as you like.

Then the other Dr. will prescribe the hormones.  That happens the same day as the first appointment.  Each Dr visit involves four comprehensive blood tests and a brief health check to ensure everything is ok.  After the first Dr visit you will have another 60 days later and then every six months after that to again check blood and health and to renew the prescriptions.

Unfortunately, the psychologist I used in Atlanta was kind of expensive.  I know of another one in Montgomery that is less expensive but would be pretty far for you to drive.  The HRT Dr also lists counseling on his website but since I never used it I don't know if it's in house or referred out.  Nor do I know that cost.

The hormones and testosterone blocker themselves are relatively inexpensive. 


It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not.
André Gide, Autumn Leaves

If you could send me the info that would be great. I don't mind a drive to Atlanta if my daughter will get good treatment. And I am not too concerned about it being a little more expensive if its a reputable doctor. I would just hate to spend money at an unknown therapist that may not be supportive of HRT or trans issues so I have not taken her any where until I know it is the right place for her.

Could you possibly give me a ballpark estimate of how much it would cost out of pocket leading up to the beginning of hormone treatment?

Thank you so much for the prompt reply!!

This is the info for the therapist.
Dr. Ren Massey
(404) 292-3400
http://drrenmassey.com
1244 Clairmont Road
Suite 101
Decatur GA 30030

He is really good.  And he is really an expert in everything trans.  He is a trans-man so he has first hand insight (that's on his website).  The last time I went it was $165 per session.  As I said before a diagnosis and letter could be made in as few as three sessions.  If there are other issues it might take more.  Anyway, his website has a lot of detailed information.

This is the info for the HRT Dr.
Intown Primary Care
(404) 541-0944
http://www.intownprimarycare.com
730 Ponce De Leon Place, Unit B
Atlanta GA 30306

This office is extremely LBGT friendly and also highly professional.  I am seen by one of the nurse practitioners and she seems to take a genuine interest in my long term well being.  As I wrote before they also mention therapy on their website but I have never used that service.  They offer an in office insurance plan you can buy annually to greatly reduce cost. 

The first visit, if you buy the insurance plan then the cost for the plan, $30 office copay, and 50% share of the blood test costs will run around $400.  The other appointments during the year will be around $180, the majority of that for the blood test cost share.

The only bad thing about either of those two places is that you have to exit just south of where I75 and I85 split so traffic at that point is always horrendous.

Please don't hesitate to ask if I can be of further assistance.


It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not.
André Gide, Autumn Leaves

Quote from: Deborah on February 18, 2017, 08:28:48 PM
This is the info for the therapist.
Dr. Ren Massey
(404) 292-3400
http://drrenmassey.com
1244 Clairmont Road
Suite 101
Decatur GA 30030

He is really good.  And he is really an expert in everything trans.  He is a trans-man so he has first hand insight (that's on his website).  The last time I went it was $165 per session.  As I said before a diagnosis and letter could be made in as few as three sessions.  If there are other issues it might take more.  Anyway, his website has a lot of detailed information.

This is the info for the HRT Dr.
Intown Primary Care
(404) 541-0944
http://www.intownprimarycare.com
730 Ponce De Leon Place, Unit B
Atlanta GA 30306

This office is extremely LBGT friendly and also highly professional.  I am seen by one of the nurse practitioners and she seems to take a genuine interest in my long term well being.  As I wrote before they also mention therapy on their website but I have never used that service.  They offer an in office insurance plan you can buy annually to greatly reduce cost. 

The first visit, if you buy the insurance plan then the cost for the plan, $30 office copay, and 50% share of the blood test costs will run around $400.  The other appointments during the year will be around $180, the majority of that for the blood test cost share.

The only bad thing about either of those two places is that you have to exit just south of where I75 and I85 split so traffic at that point is always horrendous.

Please don't hesitate to ask if I can be of further assistance.


It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not.
André Gide, Autumn Leaves

Sorry to jack this thread, but your hrt office, will they take on new patients without a letter if they are already on hrt?  I'm ftm and started  via informed consent but Atlanta is so much closer to the place I go to now.

Sent from my SM-S902L using Tapatalk

I'm not sure.  You should call them and ask though.  They are a really friendly office.


It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not.
André Gide, Autumn Leaves

Quote from: Deborah on February 24, 2017, 12:28:52 PM
I'm not sure.  You should call them and ask though.  They are a really friendly office.


It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not.
André Gide, Autumn Leaves

Thanks. I will call them Monday and find out.

Sent from my SM-S902L using Tapatalk

I finally have my daughter scheduled to begin HRT. We have an appointment at Intown Primary Care. They did ask if she had a psychologist's letter (which we do have). I am not sure if that was because she was 17 or if they require it for any patient.

Thank you again Deborah for the info!!!

You're welcome.  They required the letter for me too.


Conform and be dull. —James Frank Dobie, The Voice of the Coyote

I went to the Equity Center in Augusta Ga. They are free and I didn't have to have a letter, just sign a notice of consent form. I talked to a physiologist while I was there for my appointment, saw the interns, then the doctor and left with a prescription for hormones that evening. It is a free clinic and they take a while to get appointments with. They are also only open on Wednesday evenings, but it doesn't cost anything and they are very nice.

Quote from: tiffany00573 on March 11, 2017, 12:22:24 PM
I went to the Equity Center in Augusta Ga. They are free and I didn't have to have a letter, just sign a notice of consent form. I talked to a physiologist while I was there for my appointment, saw the interns, then the doctor and left with a prescription for hormones that evening. It is a free clinic and they take a while to get appointments with. They are also only open on Wednesday evenings, but it doesn't cost anything and they are very nice.

tiffany,

Welcome to the site. Sorry this is a little late getting to you. It's great to hear you have such a service in Georgia.

I also want to share some links with you. They are mostly welcome information and the rules that govern the site. If you have not had a chance to look through them, please take a moment:

Site Terms of Service & Rules to Live By	Standard Terms & Definitions	Post Ranks (including when you can upload an avatar)
Reputation rules	News posting & quoting guidelines	Photo, avatars, & signature images policy

Once again, welcome to Susan's. Look around, ask questions and join in.

With warmth,

Joanna

Quote from: Deborah on February 24, 2017, 12:28:52 PM
I'm not sure.  You should call them and ask though.  They are a really friendly office.


It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not.
André Gide, Autumn Leaves

Finally got around to calling them and they will see me without a letter as long as I provide proof that I've been on hrt for as long as I say I have.  So much better than driving to S.C.  Thanks Deborah!

Sent from my SM-S902L using Tapatalk