Fighting for Coverage—Navigating Insurance for Gender-Affirming Surgery
Medical Insurance
Part of trans advocacy for Caroline was pinning down her medical insurance coverage. I had to challenge her employer to reveal transgender surgeries covered by her policy (contract) by arranging a meeting with In-House Counsel and the Head of Benefits.
From Hormones to Coming Out—The First Steps of Medical and Social Transition
Physical and Social Transition Begins
One of the most difficult and frustrating tasks in 2017–18 was finding an endocrinologist who was willing to help Caroline with her 15-month pre-surgical hormone treatment following her decision not to save sperm. I searched her insurance network and called group practices of endocrinologists, one after another, and was told that not only did they not have anyone trained in transgender care, they had no one interested in coming up to speed to do so.
Pros and Cons: What to keep in mind when considering HRT
HRT and You: A blog series by Arrive Therapy
Benefits of gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) include:
Improvement in Psychological and Social Well-being: GAHT can improve psychological and emotional well-being, reduce gender dysphoria-related distress, and enhance satisfaction with one's body and gender identity.
Physical Alignment with Gender Identity: For individuals seeking a more aligned physical appearance, GAHT helps develop secondary sex characteristics that are consistent with their gender identity. This can include the development of breasts, softer skin, wider hips (feminizing therapy), or a deeper voice, increased body and facial hair (masculinizing therapy).
Key Types of Hormone Therapy and Their Effects
HRT and You: A blog series by Arrive Therapy
The overview:
Feminizing Hormone Therapy: Estrogen
Estrogen: Promotes feminine characteristics such as breast development, softer skin, and wider hips.
Anti-androgens: Blocks the production and effects of testosterone, aiding in the reduction of masculine features. 1,2.
Masculinizing Hormone Therapy: Testosterone 1,2.
Testosterone: Induces masculine characteristics including a deeper voice, increased body and facial hair, and a more muscular appearance. It also halts menstrual cycles
Gender Fluid Hormone Therapy:
Hormone therapy may be taken in small doses by individuals who don’t identify as strictly male or female, resulting in a more androgynous appearance.
Hormone therapy may be taken in small doses by individuals who don’t identify as strictly male or female, resulting in a more androgynous or feminine appearance. 1.
Five teenagers of varying genders and colors, expressing their unique personalities
Contact us
We do not take insurance.
However, if you require financial assistance. we have options for you. First, not all of our therapists cost the same. Check the Team page for details. In addition, you can submit your expenses to insurance to get a portion of your fee refunded. Click below for a quick guide: