I think maybe I can get top surgery without hormones. I'm no longer considered transgender medically and I had a hormone letter but I don't think its any good because it was in my male name and I've switched back to my female birthname. I don't know if medicaid would pay for top surgery especially since I put female on all my papers (which is my biological gender).

I don't know the specifics, but my brother just got top surgery without having started hormones.  We're in CA, not sure if that makes a difference.  It is certainly worth inquiring with a local surgeon's office. 

Quote from: Deb Roz on August 10, 2017, 06:41:45 PM
I don't know the specifics, but my brother just got top surgery without having started hormones.  We're in CA, not sure if that makes a difference.  It is certainly worth inquiring with a local surgeon's office.

Is he openly presenting as male?

Yes, and very glad to not be binding anymore.

Plenty of people have gotten top surgery without hormones.

You can definitely get top surgery without being on hormones. It is not a WPATH recommendation. I can't think of any surgeons who would outright say no.

However, you may have issues getting Medicaid to pay. You generally have to have both a doctor and a mental health practitioner attest to the medical necessity of these procedures to get coverage if you're paying with insurance. Paying out of pocket, you would definitely not have a problem doing it.

Do you want to be on hormones? The letter I would think is still good as long as you have a copy of your court order for your name change and could articulate to the doctor why you switched back and what your plans are going forward.

Also, adding:

I know there is a Facebook group for folks on Medicaid or Medicare where people can discuss getting coverage for different procedures. I'm not in it but I am friends with one of the admins and would be happy to connect you to that group and/or him if you need to chat with someone.

Quote from: FTMax on August 12, 2017, 09:56:02 AM
Also, adding:

I know there is a Facebook group for folks on Medicaid or Medicare where people can discuss getting coverage for different procedures. I'm not in it but I am friends with one of the admins and would be happy to connect you to that group and/or him if you need to chat with someone.

Thanks for the info. Are they going to be accepting?

Quote from: KarlMars on August 12, 2017, 11:17:36 AM

Quote from: FTMax on August 12, 2017, 09:56:02 AM
Also, adding:

I know there is a Facebook group for folks on Medicaid or Medicare where people can discuss getting coverage for different procedures. I'm not in it but I am friends with one of the admins and would be happy to connect you to that group and/or him if you need to chat with someone.

Thanks for the info. Are they going to be accepting?

It's located here:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/523855204407544/

I'm personally not in the group so I can't say what kind of reaction general membership would have to what you're asking. I don't think any of the admins would care.

I have a good friend recently get surgery, they're not on hormones and ID as non-binary and are definitely not presenting male (though they do lean masculine).  It's absolutely possible! I don't know much about Medicaid, so I hope that facebook group can help out on that front!