New V.A. guidelines for transgender patients

[Leanne2]

A month or so ago I read a post here that mentioned that the V.A. has new guidelines for dealing with transgender patients. The poster mentioned that a fem name could be requested and used. A few days ago I mentioned to a V.A. nurse that I wanted to have my masculine middle name indicated by the letter A instead of written out. My first name passes for unisex. She said they would do that. Then yesterday I received my bill from the V.A. which had my complete middle name on it. So I called the phone number on the bill and asked to speak to a supervisor. She hadn't heard about the change and asked me to hold while she researched it. When she came back she said that she couldn't find anything about that change.
So, does anyone ( in the states ) know anything about this. I hate that anyone that sees my mail can see my middle name. Thank you, Leanne

[My Lady Marsea]

Yeah I got like the same run around. It seems that each clinic is trying to interpret the directive or wutever as they see fit, esp a little town VA clinic like I'm stuck with. They don't even have the proper people to deal with it so it seems. I ended up with them giving me a copy of VHA Directive 2006-036 : you can pull it up on Google. On attachment A item #1(NAME) and 1D pertains to your dilemma. Concerning the part about how you records should be consistent with the patients self- identified gender well.......going back to the above directive #4 Gender where male or female is entered....good luck there. The newer directive like concerning trans care is so totally lame overall and a big catch 22. I finally had to like go to Tucson, our big regional VA thingie and request time with the Patient Advocate. At least I got counseling mental health therapy and was told they will see to the needed future letters if SRS is on your horizon. That dept is even now working with the local trans groups including trying to put together a trans support group which will like meet there. The patient advocate sent a message to the head of the women's health to get the ball rolling there. Another well kept secret to find on the VA site is "Beneficiary Travel-Who May Qualify" as my Tucson trips involve like 400 miles round trip. Hope this like helped some.

[Leanne2]

Thank you Marsea! That was so nice of you to reply. This situation reminds me of the military red tape when I enlisted 42 years ago. Some things just don't change. Leanne

[Laura Evans]

Yes things move very slow in the VA. I made a reference to the directive to my gp at the Prescott VA during an inquiry about starting HRT there. I did not get a response on my first try but did when I made a second inquiry. I have been seeing a local therapist as a prerequisite to starting HRT but was told by the VA I needed to see one of there's in order to have meds through the VA. I requested an appointment be made in early Sept. and have yet to hear from them. If this takes much longer I will not bother with the VA. A concern I have is that the VA probably does not have much experience dealing with trans. my gp even stated she has had only one VA trans. in her career and it has been many years ago.




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[Diane Elizabeth]

I was at the VA today.. I had 4 different appts to go to. When I checked in at each clinic I asked to be called by "Dee" (my nickname). I was dressed in a feminie top with my 38B's showing through. All my clothing was female today. Anyway, the people I had to talk to had no problem with refering to me in a fem way. They were very cordial to me. I did see one person give me an odd look as I was walking down a hallway, but no other problems.

Laura, I can't speak about your VA but, mine has close to 3 dozen TG's, so I was told. In order for the VA to adminster HRT I had to already be on HRT. I went to an Ob-Gyn Dr where they took Champus-Tricare. Got my HRT started and then called the VA fo an appt. It took me just a over a month from the start to get in to the VA. The visits are less expensive and the meds are a few $$$ less to get. Plus the VA mails them to me.

[vetobob9]

A month or so ago I read a post here that mentioned that the V.A. has new guidelines for dealing with transgender patients. The poster mentioned that a fem name could be requested and used. A few days ago I mentioned to a V.A. nurse that I wanted to have my masculine middle name indicated by the letter A instead of written out. My first name passes for unisex. She said they would do that. Then yesterday I received my bill from the V.A. which had my complete middle name on it. So I called the phone number on the bill and asked to speak to a supervisor. She hadn't heard about the change and asked me to hold while she researched it. When she came back she said that she couldn't find anything about that change.
So, does anyone ( in the states ) know anything about this. I hate that anyone that sees my mail can see my middle name. Thank you, Leanne

It sounds to me that she didn't research anything. She probably just put you on hold and just sat their bs ing with her buddies instead of doing her job.

The fact is there is indeed a new VA Healthcare policy for the transgendered.

http://pamshouseblend.firedoglake.com/2011/06/11/new-veterans-administration-healthcare-policy-for-transgender-and-intersex-veterans/

http://transequality.org/PDFs/VHA_Trans_Health.pdf

If your local VA is not willing to follow the guidelines put out by the people at the top, I would suggest sending a letter to Washington to let them know that not all of their subordinates are following the rules they put out.

In other words: report them to the higher ups.