Yeah, word is Alberta may be sending some people to him -- the word has been out for a year, although it's not set up yet. Most people go to Brassard (Meltzer is only covered if you have a condition that Brassard won't deal with, ie, diabetes, 'cause you need to be in a hospital, not a clinic or something like that).
I feel awfully lucky to live in Alberta at the moment; it's probably the only place that actually covers surgery for both mtf and ftm, in a reasonable timeline. (And yes, as far as I know, both mtf and ftm are fully covered. Although, I think the wait list for ftm is a bit longer, although histo's and stuff, are usually done within the year of being on T).
My SRS date (June 9) is almost two years from when my referral went in to the GID specialist (Dr. Warneke). I believe it was sent in early August 2006. I started HRT mid August and started FT during that time, too. The wait list for Dr. W is a bit long, because the other doctor who can approve SRS is mostly retired (Dr. Brooks). Although, word is out that some other GID doc is in training to cut the wait times. And, according to the province, you need to see the GID doc and be FT for a year before surgery goes through. I first saw Dr. W May 2007.
It's a pretty easy system, compared to what I've heard other people have to go through, or the timeline that they have to go through.
And even when a local surgeon decides not to do chest surgery, the province still tries to find a doc who will, and not give up.
The only thing not covered is the stents, which is $200... but the flight out there, the surgery, food, stay, and meds are all covered. Plus, Brassard seems to be a decent doctor.
No body seems to know why it's covered, but it's some how written into our laws. And it doesn't seem like it's going to be taken out anytime soon. It's the most ironic part of Alberta...
--natalie
