Hey everyone, sorry I disappeared for a while without saying anything.  I think the last time I posted I asked for help, and got a lot of wonderful responses, and then didn't reply, so sorry and I appreciate it all. 

I've been dealing with a lot of stuff, and that's why I haven't really been around, and it's why I'm posting now.

I need help, and I think being in a hospital (or intensive outpatient care while staying on the "recovery campus") would probably be hugely beneficial to me, even though I've had horrible experiences with hospitals, and they scare me.  The problem is I don't have health insurance atm.

I've started researching health insurance plans, but I thought I'd ask here in case anyone has any advice.  All I really need is something that would cover most of a stay in a psychiatric hospital without being really expensive, but if there are any companies that are transgender friendly, that would be a huge plus.   Does anyone have any suggestions or advice?  Thanks!



And here's a story to prove that there are kind people in the world.  Last night around 3am I was in my car in a grocery store parking lot, drunk (yes, that's part of the reason I need help; I know I could kill someone drunk driving, and it's really really really scary and upsetting to me that I did that) and binge eating candy bars and cookies.  A random girl about my age came by the car and asked if I needed help.  I tried to say I was fine at first, but I ended up letting her talk with me while I drank the water that she bought for me.  She was worried about me because she thought I looked emaciated (this surprised me because I gained 10 pounds in the last two months) and she used to have an eating disorder as well.  She was completely supportive of me when I told her I'm trans, we talked until about 5am, and it convinced me to get help this time.  And I really need help, so I'm working on getting it. 

There are psychiatric hospitals that are designed for people who do not have insurance but they are not the best out there. However, based on your post, I would probably go there despite them not being the best because of the severity of your issues.

Jobs with transgender benefits covers transgender therapy visits (and or Endocrinology visits and HRT and or SRS) but your health insurance carrier will probably enter the coverage under the diagnoses of why you went to the hospital (they usually use manic depression, or Alcohol abuse/Depression, etc etc).

If you have a job, then you need to ask them if you are covered under disability insurance. If you have been there at least 6 months and pay out a little, you may have disability insurance that will pay you a portion of your pay while you are at the hospital. You will need to see your HR about this. If you work part time only, chances are you do not carry it but check with HR anyways.

Hope that helps

Quote from: Annah on January 04, 2012, 12:51:44 PM
There are psychiatric hospitals that are designed for people who do not have insurance but they are not the best out there. However, based on your post, I would probably go there despite them not being the best because of the severity of your issues.

Unfortunately, I live in GA, which is one of the worst states for public mental health services.  Last time I was in the hospital, I had to go through Georgia Regional which is the public psychiatric hospital.  I spent 36 hours in an observation room with a bunch of other people.  The employees stole my belongings and money, the sandwiches they gave us were moldy and the milk had expired years ago.  The psychiatrist told me that I was lying to her when I wasn't, and she prescribed an antidepressant that I had told her I had a very bad reaction to in the past.  A schizophrenic guy kept threatening me, and the staff did nothing to stop him even though I repeatedly asked for help.  A few days after I got out of there, the AJC ran an article about how a lot of people were calling for the  hospital to be shut down because so many people had died there from neglect, but then there would be no resources for people without health insurance and they apparently don't have the money to fix it.  Anyway, I'm pretty sure that going back there would do more harm than good, and I'm not going back. 

Quote from: Annah on January 04, 2012, 12:51:44 PM
Jobs with transgender benefits covers transgender therapy visits (and or Endocrinology visits and HRT and or SRS) but your health insurance carrier will probably enter the coverage under the diagnoses of why you went to the hospital (they usually use manic depression, or Alcohol abuse/Depression, etc etc).

If you have a job, then you need to ask them if you are covered under disability insurance. If you have been there at least 6 months and pay out a little, you may have disability insurance that will pay you a portion of your pay while you are at the hospital. You will need to see your HR about this. If you work part time only, chances are you do not carry it but check with HR anyways.

I'm employed part time, and health insurance isn't offered. 

Thanks for responding!