Hormone Referral Trouble

[luzoscura.livejournal.com]

Since deciding to transition, I have been seeing a counselor in hopes of getting a referral to see an endo. After 5 sessions it has become clear that my counselor is not an expert on this matter, however she has been supportive and indicated to me that she would be willing to support my decision to seek HRT. As she has no experience, she has asked me to essentially do my "homework" and tell her what she needs to do and write for this to occur. After speaking to Dr. Hudson's office, an endo in the Atlanta area who is highly recommended by the tg community here, they've told me that the initial consultation and lab work can be up to $400 dollars but it does not require a referral initially. The Dr. may require a referral for actual prescriptions upon receiving results, the referral should indicate a diagnosis of GID.

Well I am actually going to change jobs and move cross-country in a matter of weeks, so I am rather concerned that any insurance provider that I get here on after will deny me any service based on having a pre-existing condition were I to be diagnosed with GID right now.

Essentially my question at this point is, based on your experience, would you suggest that I consult my therapist about diagnosing me as GID in order to have a referral that can carry me over into getting legitimate HRT once I am relocated? Or would it be wiser to hold off on a diagnosis until I am under my future insurance provider in order to avoid lack of coverage due to a pre-existing condition? As a further note, I will be self-medicating at this point regardless and my current insurance provider would not cover HRT anyway, but I want to have that "golden ticket" so that I can see a legitimate Endocrinologist as soon as I am re-settled and can afford it.

GLAD Press Release (O'Donnabhain Tax Court Case)

[pirate-poet.livejournal.com]

PDF: http://www.glad.org/uploads/docs/publications/odonnabhain-win.pdf

Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders
30 Winter Street, Suite 800
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: 617.426.1350
Fax: 617.426.3594
Website: www.glad.org

February 8, 2010

Win in O'Donnabhain Tax Court Case: GID Qualifies as Medical Care

GLAD has great news for transgender people who can benefit from claiming a medical deduction for the treatment of GID. On February 2, 2010, the U.S. Tax Court issues a ruling in O'Donnabhain v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue that treatment for gender identity disorder (GID) qualifies as medical care under Section 213 of the Internal Revenue Code, and, therefore, provided there is adequate medical documentation, related expenses (e.g. hormones, surgery, therapy and other expenses related to the treatment of GID that satisfy the requirements of Section 213 of the Internal Revenue Code) qualifiy for a medical deduction for federal income tax purposes. (To see the decision go to http://www.ustaxcourt.gov/InOpHistoric/ODonnabhain.TC.WPD.pdf)

This is a very strong decision, recognizing the legitimacy of GID as a medical condition and, therefore, that expenses related to the treatment of GID may be deductible. We do not yet know whether this decision is final. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has the right to appeal this decision to the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. It may be several weeks before we know whether the IRS will appeal the decision.

In the meantime, if you have had treatment for GID and are trying to decided whether you should claim related expenses as a medical deduction, here is some information that may help you decide. We are, however, not able to provide specific legal advice, so we strongly recommend that you take this information to a tax expert-- a CPA or tax attorney-- who can assist you in making your decision.

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Questions and observations for mtf trans (adult themes warning!!)

[zoeyprncs.livejournal.com]

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