[PattiJT]

Maybe there is hope, after all. They have about 3 years to make this happen.

http://washingtonblade.com/2013/12/11/me...ine-gender

[GoneGirl]

That's good news. I understand that SRS for MTF transgenders costs around $25K. Even more for FTMs.

[GoneGirl]

From the article:

“Transsexual surgery for sex reassignment of transsexuals is controversial,” the regulation states. “Because of the lack of well controlled, long term studies of the safety and effectiveness of the surgical procedures and attendant therapies for transsexualism, the treatment is considered experimental. Moreover, there is a high rate of serious complications for these surgical procedures. For these reasons, transsexual surgery is not covered.”

Oh, really? What about the high suicide rate among gender dysphoric people?

CK

[Karren]

By the time you get to the age that you can use Medicare (65)..... why bother transitioning...

[GoneGirl]

By the time you get to the age that you can use Medicare (65)..... why bother transitioning...

Late bloomers?

You raise a valid point, Karren. I wouldn't think there are many post-age 65 SRS procedures performed, but aren't there people under 65 on Medicare, too?

I imagine a very compelling case would have to be demonstrated to get coverage for SRS through Medicare if it's ever allowed, much like private medical insurance policies.

In general, though, I think the medical establishment downplays the seriousness of GID and leaves lots of troubled people hanging out to dry.

CK

[Karren]

You can only apply for Medicare when you reach 65... I've been doing my MIL's Medicare stuff for years now.... its old people federal medical insurance which the states run... and each state is slightly different.... and it doesn't cover a lot so you have to get a Medicare suplimented plan from private companies! lol

[MonikaT]

Medicare is NOT just for the over-65 set. Many who qualify for Social Security Disability also qualify for Medicare. My mother was a dialysis patient, and as soon as she went on dialysis, she went on SsDI and Medicare, and she was in her late 50s.

As for why bother getting SRS at 65+, well, if one's GID is profound enough, SRS is the only thing that will "cure" or at least noticeably lessen GID in those who feel they need it to feel complete.

[Karren]

I think they separate regular Medicare from Medicare disability insurance... as they do Medicare.... You get government involved and it overly complicates everything.... If someones GID was so severe.... waiting till they were Medicare eligible would probably be torture.... enough so that you might commit a crime so you could be put in a prison that has paid for GRS ...

[PattiJT]

All,

Both of my parents were on Medicare. Medicare paid everything concerning their treatment, (and most of their medications) and there were some things they received care for that I really never expected would be covered. It's a wonderful program, overall, and yes, there is a supplemental insurance available to cover the percentage, (20% or less), that Medicare doesn't cover outright for some things. Medicare is federally administered, and should not be confused with Medicaid, which is run by individual states, and subject to each states' laws and regulations.

We can dispute what Medicare does and doesn't cover, but that would be missing the main point here. The really important object is that just by discussing this, the government is admitting there is a larger, and mostly ignored, problem, and that something needs to be done about it. While some larger health care systems are beginning to cover GID treatment, they are very few and far between. Getting government involved is going to throw the conversation open. Yes, Medicare is for us "old folks", but if it receives due recognition from the government, do you really think it will continue to be ignored by the rest of the health care profession? Not hardly. And, it is the non-governmental side of the health care system that can accomplish this treatment for all ages. Getting it out in a wider conversation can only help all of us who are so inclined. It will take time, but this could be the start of something major. Medicare is one of a very few government programs that actually functions as designed, and if this juggernaut approves GID treatment, then all others will fall in line in time. With the possible exception of religious health systems. They will probably always operate on the premise that they know way more about what's better for us than we do. And they will weasel their way into getting government to give them an exception.

Don't be too harsh with Medicare, and write it off as just for "oldies". There have been major changes in treatments before as a result of Medicare involvement.