Reducing the Cost of Hormone Replacement Therapy

How to reduce the cost of hormone replacement therapy for female to male gender reassignment. Tips and tricks for saving money during your gender transition.

Suggestions for saving money on the cost of hormone treatment:

Buy Hormones from a Compounding Pharmacy

Many FTMs choose to order from a compounding pharmacy to avoid paying the high cost of non-generic name brands. Generally, the compounds average out to somewhere between $10-$20 per month. The name brands run from $25-$125 per month although I have found that some pharmacies can receive discounts bringing the price down to as low as $15 a month.

What is a compounding pharmacy?

A compounding pharmacy takes a medication or drug and tailor it to the persons needs based on ingredients, form or etc. For example, if a patient is allergic to the cottonseed oil that the testosterone is suspended in, they will remove that component and substitute another one that retains the same effectiveness. In other situations, the compounding pharmacy can change the application of a drug (i.e. from a gel to cream) or can flavor to ingestible medicines. They create an outlet for those needing more customized support.

What is the difference between sesame seed oil and cottonseed oil suspension?

Generally, there is no difference in the speed of masculinization between the two oils. It seems that allergies develop more often to the sesame seed oil than to the other, however differences between the two is an ongoing debate. Some people have an allergy to one oil that leaves them with no option but to use the opposite.

What is an ester?

Online Explanation

Trans-friendly Compounding Pharmacies

Stroheckers – Compounding Pharmacy in Oregon that specializes in compounded T. They also give out free syringes with your order. They are also currently working on finding new oils to suspend the T in. I have been very impressed with their services and recommend Stroheckers. Testosterone Cypionate – $44.95 for a 10 m/l vial.
Apothecure – Texas compounding pharmacy that specializes in compounded testosterone
Kronos Compounding
Androderm
Androgel

Health Insurance Coverage

Before setting up the appointment go ahead and give them your insurance information. They’ll want it even if you do pay out-of-pocket. Ask the receptionist what the fee is for a doctors visit, testosterone test, and basic blood panel. These will be the three main things you pay for. If you want, you can try having them put the first visit under your insurance. Some doctors will put blood work and office visits under insurance, even if the insurance does not cover SRS procedures. They do this by writing in the chart that you have ‘PMS, cramping, low sex drive, etc.” This can be considered fraudulent by your insurance provider and can result in the dismissal of health insurance coverage and/or legal ramifications.

Community Clinics for Transsexuals

Physicians with lower expenses may be found at local community clinics in urban areas. LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) community clinics may have more experience treating and advising transsexual patients.

Saving Money on Blood work

Share your blood work results with another physician

Many doctors will accept blood work that another care provider has ordered. In this regard, it can be beneficial to schedule your re-occurring physician appointments at the same time of year. For example, have your general practitioner run your testosterone levels, in addition to the CBC (the general blood panel). You can request a copy of those blood work results to take to your endocrinologist.
I’ve never had a doctor refuse to accept blood work run by another provider, however I have a long-running history with my care providers, so it’s possible that they would be less receptive to accepting outside paperwork from new patients. I’ve found that, with insurance, stacking my re-occurring doctor appointments saves approximately $20 out-of-pocket expenses per each physician visit.
Regular blood work is critical to detect underlying or developing conditions; thus, stacking your physician appointments during only one season of the year could cause health conditions to go undetected during the remainder of the year. Speak with your physician before modifying your doctor appointments or care plan, especially if you have underlying or chronic conditions.

Research the cheapest places to have blood work taken

Some doctors will accept lab work from another lab or physician. Ask your doctor if they will accept lab work from an outside laboratory. If the physician does the lab work at his/her office you may be paying a premium for those services.
The billing manager at your doctor’s office may be able to recommend an alternate laboratory to handle your blood work. Companies that specialize in blood-testing services will often have a testing center in large medical buildings that cater to private-practice physicians. Thus, cheaper lab work may be available in the same building. However, insured individuals who are under an in-network providers care are less likely to benefit from shopping around.

Tell your doctor that you are paying out-of-pocket

Notify your doctor if you are paying out-of-pocket because you are uninsured or have chosen to not use your insurance for transition-related care. Many physicians will offer a lower rate for out-of-pocket patients.