Article: More Companies Providing TS Health Benefits

[Carolyn Marie]

http://www.postbulletin.com/life/health/cos-offer-health-benefits-to-transgender-workers/article_7198b118-5b4b-513c-90b4-41918ff05f34.html

Carolyn Marie

[Guest Carla_Davis]

I am very Happy to read about this increase in the number of companies providing coverage.

I will not really be Happy until ALL insurance companies cover Transgender Procedures including GRS.

Hugs,

Carla

[Guest Mia J]

I am happy to hear that things are getting better with the health coverage for us. Maybe the ACA will increase that. HR has told me they are not looking to make any changes with the insurance program at this time.

Mia

[Guest KimberlyF]

I have mentioned before that every cause has an effect. Some surgeons wait times are increasing and despite now getting covered, I have a friend who's first two surgeons do not take insurance.

Some companies will reimburse though, if you can come up with the 20-30k first.

In the past few years, while the number of states and employers have added coverage, there doesn't seem to be a new influx of surgeons. Some problems that could present themselves moving forward are if demand greatly surpasses supply, finding a slot could get tough, or if insurance companies pick certain doctors in a specific network who one may be uncomfortable with.

When I was checking, Bowers office seemed insurance friendly while Meltzers didn't. Of course everyone can't go to one person.

[Carolyn Marie]

Kim, I think the supply of doctors will, eventually, catch up to the demand. I think the demand has to be there first before more doctors will go into that specialty. Some things take time. I see no permanent down side to increased insurance coverage. It beats the alternative by a mile.

Carolyn Marie

[Guest LizMarie]

Supply and demand are normal market functions, so long as the AMA is not allowed to restrict (which they have done in other specializations to artificially support price). The number of doctors doing surgeries will catch up to supply. There are also international surgeons to consider, particularly in Thailand and apparently a number of good surgeons in South Korea.

[Guest KimberlyF]

Kim, I think the supply of doctors will, eventually, catch up to the demand. I think the demand has to be there first before more doctors will go into that specialty. Some things take time. I see no permanent down side to increased insurance coverage. It beats the alternative by a mile.

Carolyn Marie

I am thrilled to be getting my surgery covered. But I do think people need to come from a place of realistic expectations too.

Dealing with doctors and insurance companies is draining for the best of us. When we start from a position of being broken and having to build ourselves up, it can seem personal when people aren't returning phone calls or a receptionist gives us information we were not expecting. As demand goes up prior to new docs in the system, it will have to be a bit overworked first. People may run into a few testy office people. Try not to take it personally.

And the thing with insurance is it's their money, their rules. Even in a big place like Chicago, there are only a few docs who deal with my child's problem. The insurance will pay for a guy. He's a hack. We like another guy. We pay cash. We have appealed numerous times. This is how it goes. When I look at all the stuff they do cover, I'm not complaining.