Commentary: The High Cost of Transition

[Carolyn Marie]

I found her estimate to be on the high side, but not unreasonable. I certainly haven't had to pay $20-30,000 for therapy and HRT.

http://www.chicagonow.com/trans-girl-cross/2012/12/transgender-transition-personal-cost/

Carolyn Marie

[Guest LizMarie]

My own estimates going forward are:

Expected Therapy costs over the first 5 years of transition = $6600

Electrolysis @ $69 per hour X 150 hours = $10,350

Voice surgery (required due to medical condition) = $12,000

Estrogen (lifelong) @ $12.50 per month X expected 30 more years of life = $4,500

Sex reassignment surgery (estimated) = $20,000 -- This could be somewhat less or a bit more but it's a close ballpark figure for now.

Optional FFS (overseas to control costs) = $20,000 (probably slightly less overseas but this is a working number and close)

Optional hair transplants if I can get enough of my own hair to come back in naturally to make it worthwhile - $15,000

The above does not include divorce costs, name/gender change legal document costs, wardrobe costs, etc., nor a host of other costs incurred in transitioning. My core bills will exceed $50,000 all by themselves. The optional items add another $35-$40K if I do them (no guarantee that I will but I might). The legal costs are all TBD but I am sure they will be extensive too. I'm just glad I have a good job at a company with entrenched policies protecting LGBT folks across the board or I couldn't even think about most of this.

[Paula ult]

I think 30k to 50k is a reasonable assessment of the costs involved if you do not get FFS , BA or voice surgery, i totaled my costs up from just my GCS and it came to just around 20k, my topic is here:

http://www.lauras-playground.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=35498

In addition to the 20k i spent over 10k for laser and electrolysis, not covered under insurance, also not covered are my Endo visits every 6 months and blood work once a year, thank goodness my therapy sessions were covered due to the way my therapist coded my visits, and don't forget to add in clothes, makeup, shoes etc.

If you want FFS, BA and voice surgery in addition to everything else the total could come close to 100k or more.

Paula

[Guest (Lightsider)]

You are all making me think too hard.

I would say my costs were so far:

1. Voice therapy $100.00 Turned out I did not need it. Went to one consult and was told my voice was spot on. I am partially deaf so I never knew I always sounded female.

2. Hair removal in 1998. $2000.00 laser package.

3. Maintenance laser over the years $250.00

4. Orchiectomy Free. Insurance covered it.

5. HRT. $15.00 a year. (Insurance covers a large amount of it. and because I had an orchie...my dosage is real low.)

I suppose if I went for facial surgery which I don't think I need and paid for SRS out of pocket (Which I do not have the money for either) I would be up around 50,000. I think over all since 1998 I would say it has cost me under 5000.00. (including counseling)

[Guest Melissa~]

I'm expecting around $60k, assuming I skip a bunch of procedures that ultimately would help me to pass. Therapy alone is coming in at $9100, per year, but I have plans to mitigate that. The usual SRS is prospected to be $32k, for the primary and follow ups. The misc procedures I hope to skip like tracheal shave each could add up to $25k. HT ~$350 a year, laser, electrolysis etc.

Now to say my out of pocket is anything like that would be inaccurate, for example I feel my SRS may be covered by my good insurance, but that does not mean the cost isn't there. My fathers heart operations near his end totaled more than $250k, out of pocket was capped around $7k.

[KathrynJulia]

So far my cost have been $25 a pop to see my doctor. $25.00 a month for therapy. I was paying $60 an hour for electrolysis, but I did 30 hours of remodleing work for the lady who does my electrolysis. So I getting a bunch of free sessions. I'm planning on FFS and I'm expecting it to cost me about $16,000.00 in Mexico. And yes, I want GRS. So I'm lining up allies and friends, polishing my arguements, and I'm going to keep coming to my employer until I get it covered by insurance. I have complete optimism that I am going to be successful. I don't give up.

I'm not counting clothing costs because I love shopping anyway and I'm not buying any more male clothing. My therapist commented that so far, I've been pretty successful coming out to friends and family and at work. She thought it was do to my complete acceptance of myself and that I am comfortable in my own skin. I know what I want, have a plan that is reasonable, and I'm patient enough to work for what is important in my life. Kathryn

[Guest Valerie]

Monthly HRT costs = $400.00 (35 months now)

Shots (Progestrone and E twice a month)

Scripts (Spiro, Propecia, E, Cemitedene)

added new (Lavostatin, Asprin)

$14,000.00

BA = $8,500.00

$22,500.00

Laser $2,000.00 (5 sessions @ $400.00 ea)

$24,500.00

Labs, hmm close to $5,000.00

Total = $29,500.00 (roughly) so far for 35 months.

My insurance does not cover any of the above and my Endo does not take my Tricare.

Expected upcoming costs.

SRS, $9,000.00

FFS, $12,000.00 - $15,000.00

None of my therapist's visits are included.

Yes, Hawaii is VERY expensive.

Currently looking like $54,000.00 and that is not adding in the any dr's, labs or scripts.

/Love

Valerie

[Guest Valerie]

Thought I would also add something else, that was not correct in this article.

From what I have read in the 2012 HRC Corperate Indexm there are 207 companies that now fully cover a persons transition. This includes, therapy, HRT, SRS, speech therapy and time off for post-op recovery.

/Love

Valerie