TG and health insurances

[tgirlinva]

Hi everyone... happy inauguration day!

I recently switched to a new insurance, which will cover my therapy sessions. Since I have to get a medical diagnosis/approval from the insurance, my therapist gave me the option to write a letter for gender identity dysphoria or mild depression. Which is better? Basically, I don't want to be "marked" as a mental patient in my medical records nor do I want to be confined in a mental institution or anything. Basically, which one is the most tolerated by insurance companies? I just don't want to have my records spill to employer (who pays for the insurance), etc.... advice would be appreciated.

[Chibi~Cthulhu]

lol go the monetary route, which will your insurance cover? considering that mild depression is a pretty socially acceptable condition these days i doubt it would be an issue with your employer or anyone else that might find out. however, im pretty out of the loop on whether insurance covers g.i.d. since i had to pause my transition while i joined the military (horrible idea that btw)

[kathtx]

Don't worry, you won't be confined to a mental institution for mild depression or GID. The exceptions would be: if your depression is serious enough that suicide is a possibility, or if you're under 18 and you have ignorant parents who think your GID can be "cured" in an institution. It doesn't sound like either is the case for you.

The problem with mental health care under US privatized insurance isn't that they'll lock you up, it's that if ever you really *do* need treatment, the coverage is usually very limited. Insurance companies cover "crisis" mental health care; if you're depressed, they'll cover a few talk therapy sessions to make sure you're neither suicidal nor homicidal, prescribe antidepressants, viola! you're cured!!!

Some insurance companies won't cover GID at all. Check the details of your policy. And even if they do, be prepared for them to try to weasel out of it and deny coverage anyway... if that happens, find a lawyer.

(Aside: American health insurance companies are high on my list of evils. My wife and I are currently doing battle with a rat b*****d insurance company that covered our surrogate's pregnancy for months, then started denying coverage when complications required some very expensive treatments. Everyone is now healthy and it all worked out medically -- twins!!! -- and luckily we're in a position to be able to cover the unexpected, rather large, out-of-pocket cost. But according to the policy, the treatments clearly *were* covered, so our lawyers are going after the f*****g thieving low-life lumps of excrement to get our costs reimbursed. It's enough for a couple of years of college for both kids, and dammit we'd rather use it for that than let the rat b*****ds use it to beef up their profit margin.)

But I digress.

As for stigma for mental health issues, I've not seen any.
I've been on antidepressants for years, and probably will be for life. I also did a few years of talk therapy (the combination of drugs and long-term talk therapy has been shown to be significantly more effective than either alone, but because long-term talk therapy is expensive it is of course not covered by most US insurers... but I digress again). My wife also had several years of talk therapy to deal with the emotional consequences of her physical health problems. It has *never* been an issue for work, for either of us. I know any number of people with known mental health conditions (including both GID and severe depression) who hold jobs that require high-level security clearances. A history of treatment for mental health conditions really won't be an issue with any reputable company.

Bottom line: don't worry too much. You'll not be sent to an institution, nor will being "marked" have much effect on anything.

Good luck!

And happy inauguration day to you, too! I've had "ding dong, the witch is dead, the wicked witch is dead" in my head all day long :)

Kath

[GypsyKaren]

There's nothing to worry about having anything for mental treatments in your records, and no one's going to lock you up (they'd come for me first, trust me on this). Most companies have various restrictions concerning gender issues, mostly by excluding the surgery, but they should pick up any therapy.

Karen :star:

[Mariah]

My insurances pays for my theripy and meds. not bad for the price I get for.


Mariah

[Schatten Lupus]

I know many Tgirls go with the depression route. That way insurance will be more than likely to ay for therapy sessions.
Also, do not be afraid about anything in your medical records comming up at your work place. The HIPPA laws require that all medical information is confidential, and cannot be released without the patients consent.

[Melissa A.]

My therapist, who is wonderful, and very, very experienced in these things, saw who I had for insurance,(I have pretty good insurance) and told them I had GID. They have covered all my sessions and my HRT(minus co-pays). But the real key here, is, that because they accepted the diagnoses of GID, that lays the groundwork for the possibilty of fighting for coverage for GRS when the time comes. It's still quite a longshot. But she's been able to get about a half dozen girls covered over the years, and things are changing all the time. So I'm hopeful, but not counting on it.

There is a risk, however. Some carriers just won't accept GID. It's a shame, and pretty dispicable, but it's true. Work with your therapist, and know your carrier.

As far as I know, your medical records are private. prospective and current employers are committing a crime if they are nosing around in them.

Hugs,

Melissa :)

[Angel.Marie76]

I know many Tgirls go with the depression route. That way insurance will be more than likely to pay for therapy sessions.
Also, do not be afraid about anything in your medical records coming up at your work place. The HIPPA laws require that all medical information is confidential, and cannot be released without the patients consent.

I concur, my therapist also noted that it was unlikely that my current insurance provider would cover GID, so she's filed it under depression for the time being. I would say for the record that I've never been categorized with depression ever before in my life, so I was a little dismayed that this 'internal transformation' if you will, such a positive energy, has to be tagged with a negative connotation. But alas, anything to keep seeing my therapist, minimally. :)