So I really need to start therapy soon.  I have just been going mad recently.  I have played the denial game for far too long.  I thought I could deal with other problems first but ultimetly most of my problems are because of my GID.  For those of you who have insurance how far can you go until it qualifies as a preexisting condition?  I wont be starting the coverage for a few weeks and really wanted to start therapy.  Could I then be denied coverage for HRT, endo, SRS?  Or would I be ok?  What if I were to start HRT?  The therapist I want to see doesn't take insurance.  Would that become an issue later on?   Thanks so much.
Jessica

I'm a student right now, but my health fee is waived because I use my parents insurance.  My mom gets insurance through her job, and it knocks my hormones down to $20 a month and therapy to $20 co-pay a session.  My parents have never had any issues with insurance calling them and asking them like what am I doing and why.

The scripts aren't usually an issue, because we use drugs that are pretty commonly dispensed for a myriad of other things. Estradiol sometimes is, but it's really inexpensive anyway. Therapists like to get paid, and are pretty good at it, so if you do decide to see one on your insurance plan make sure and let them know the situation and they'll know how to code you. A common way is to just code it for depression, it's something everyone has and isn't likely to raise any eyebrows at the insurance company.

I'm in Japan and health insurance does not cover GID issues, so I have to pay everything out of my pocket (which is not that deep).

I believe that it is a good test of one's will to transition, though, because you have to dedicate your financial resources to changing your life.

I started going to therapy for non-GID issues.  Once they were under control (more or less ) we started dealing with my gender problems.  I know my counselor has to send the insurance company an update on her plan to "heal" me but have no idea what she sends.  The insurance keeps paying, though.

My medications are pretty cheap.  I think the insurance pays part of it, but they are very common and there's never been an issue.  I thought perhaps there would be a problem in the beginning, since the insurance company listed me as male and I had a male name when I started, but so far so good.

If you are in the US, it seems that every insurance company has a different protocol.  Sometimes the same company will have a different policy depending on which state you reside in.  It's a screwy system.  You can call the company rep and ask questions, or you can just go ahead and see what happens.

- Kate

I know my insurance does not cover HTR or SRS but would have covered therapy. I chose a therapist that doesn't take insurance so it did me no good.
Sorry not much help!
Myles

I know that my insurance would cover everything.   Well except FFS!  God bless this city!  What I would love to do is see my own therapist for a while and have that therapist write the necessary letter.  Then if it is possible have everything on insurance except therapy?  I am worried that I would be denied because it was a pre existing condition.  I doubt that they could figure out I had talked to someone especially because the therapist doesn't take insurance.  Would I have to have some else prescribe me?

If you go to someone who treats a lot of T patients, they will know how to code so they can get paid. If they insist on using GID and your employer or whomever does not allow transsexualism to be covered then find someone else.

All of my meds and some of my therapy (second therapist insisted on using GID so I stopped one on one sessions and instead went to group for a cheaper rate) were covered. SRS was not. Electrolysis is not.

YMMV depending on your insurance.