i just wanted to heads up any vets on this site while trying to resolve my diabetes medical care problem i decided to transfer the whole mess to the va there by eliminating all of my costs. when i met with my doctor we reviewed my medications and i also disclosed the fact that im transgender and was on hrt... do to the militarys dont ask dont tell policy i tried to explain that i wasnt seeking treatment for that from the va. the doctor asked me why not they routinly treat gender disphoria and actually have a group of about 50 vets that meets monthly. they provide theropy for free meds from endocrinology appintments and if deamed neccessary the srs surgery. on this last one im not sure i would want that done at the va but the fact the i can eliminate almost all of the costs associated with treatment is pivital in allowing me to generate money for the cosmetic procedures.
jessi

That sounds good.

Positive is a positive.

Cindy

one must get lucky once in a while lol

      I get med estrogen  and spiro from the VA.  I had to get started fon meds thru another clinic.  Then the VA took over.  It isn't totally free.  Dr visits cost and the meds cost.   I had no idea that the VA does SRS.

it depends on income level and weather or not ur service connected i get my appointments and meds free no copay i also didnt know they did srs but according to my primary care they do if the treatment is recomended by the therapist and weather the endo and primary care will sign off on it. again i dont think id like that particular surgery preformed at the v.a. in this case being broke is a plus being 30 percent sevice connected is also a plus
jessi

This link is relevant to this thread:

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/NEWS--Transgender-Veterans-Guaranteed-Care.html?soid=1100409733839&aid=2NJ8bO1yBy4

thankyou ashley i knew about this but couldnt find it. clerifies what they have already told me except the srs part which is probably a missunderstanding between my primary care doctor and the new policy which to me dosnt matter anyways as again ill restate i wouldnt want srs performed by the va anyways lol
jessi

It's weird how they would kick you out of the military for being trans but they help you when your service is over

for the vets that may take advantage of the new directive by applying for your va health benifits please keep in mind the term credible medical coverage when applying. for instance if you are covered by medical insurance at your job with its co pays and deductibles and this is reported to the va on the initial application they will evaluate it for this term based on national standards of coverage. if they deam your employers coverage credible they will apply it to your care this includes all the deductibles and copays. the VA uses outside insurance as a way to offset its expenses when ever possible. this means if your insurance is lousy you will br stuck with ridiculous costs for therapy and meds even if you get it threw the va as they will submit it to your insurance and then bill you for the copays. in this case i advise dropping the bad insurance and submitting the application as uninsured and all copays will based on income for total family size greatly reducing your costs or eliminating them alltogether as is my case i am copay exempt
jessi

Quote from: Valeriedances on June 11, 2011, 03:17:30 AM
Maybe they think we're weird and need help. We do (need help), though, not simply because we're weird in the way they think.

This is absolutely correct, the reason we can be discharged if found out, is that under UCMJ (military law) It's equivalent to a personality disorder, specifically referenced in AR 40-501 (the Army's version). Although the regulation is vague and doesn't specify if you were non-op and and merely taking HRT or even just diagnosed by a doctor, but is aimed at those pursuing or having completed SRS. Due to the military listing it as a disorder, it's been possible to get treatment after separation.

I was going to ask which locations this applied to, as previously only some branches offered care. After reading the article at Transgender Equality, I see this is a directive to all facilities, which is great news!