I mean, it is historically how we solved all our other problems. Its not even particularly American, as much as I wish we could claim it. Lots of movements have been aided by gun violence.
For my transguy homies, you absolutely should never reduce your T dosage in the week leading up to your blood tests with your doctor. Because if you do, your doctor may prescribe more T than you actually need, and then you may have too much on hand that stays fresh when stored properly. This would probably be illegal because T is a controlled substance, and may become banned under the Trump administration.
I actually figured that the coverage for gender affirming care is one of the least awful things about UHC. That said I guess I'm not surprised about it initially not being covered.
Edit: actually hold on, my benefits guide definitely used to say something about them paying for travel to a safe state for care and even some hotel nights being covered, but I don't see that anymore...
Testosterone is also prescribed for actual medical conditions - such as someone losing a testicle from cancer and thus requiring a testosterone boost to maintain regular hormone levels.
Edit: leaving the original text but clarifying: I should have used the words physiological conditions instead of medical conditions. There are physiological reasons why someone would need testosterone, as I mentioned in a reply: testicular cancer resulting in the loss of a testicle, hormonal imbalances resulting in reduced production in testosterone, and more.
Not to detract from your point, but gender dysphoria is a medical condition. The brain undergoes sex differentiation in utero, and the rest of the body usually but doesn't always match this.
Testosterone is also prescribed for actualother medical conditions - such as someone losing a testicle from cancer and thus requiring a testosterone boost to maintain regular hormone levels.
I actually figured that the coverage for gender affirming care is one of the least awful things about UHC.
Only if they actually cover it. If they send you through a pinball machine of denials and rejections, its just a new way of tormenting trans people.
Edit: actually hold on, my benefits guide definitely used to say something about them paying for travel to a safe state for care and even some hotel nights being covered, but I don’t see that anymore…
Red States have been tightening the noose on pregnant women, both explicitly and implicitly. So its likely the UHC folks chickened out and pulled the language for fear of provoking a state AG in Texas, Missouri, or Florida.
If I recall correctly, some companies can also add additional benefits that are paid for by the employer but administered through the insurance company. I don't know if that might be what happened here.
My brother in Christ, where the FUCK are you buying your testosterone that it's $270/mo. without insurance? When I look on GoodRX right now, the average price for a 10ml vial of 200mg/ml testosterone cypionate is about $50. Assuming that you need about 200mg EW, that's a 2.5 month supply right there. Even if you follow the recommended guidelines and discard the unused contents of the vial at the end of every month and buy a new vial, that's $150 for a full three months.
Oh, I wouldn't use them to buy medication. I'm just using them to check the retail prices.
I know that their Costco prices aren't correct though; if you're a member and paying out of pocket, Costco will enroll you in a prescription savings plan.