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How does an informed consent clinic work for HRT?

Discussion in 'Gender Identity and Expression' started by Kodo, Sep 12, 2015.

  1. Kodo

    Full Member

    Joined:
    May 27, 2015
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    Location:
    California
    Gender:
    Male (trans*)
    Gender Pronoun:
    He
    Sexual Orientation:
    Gay
    Out Status:
    Out to everyone
    A bit of a technical question, I suppose. I just wanted to know generally how an informed-consent clinic works (for HRT) and what are the steps, requirements, ect.

    Some questions:
    -Age requirement? (I'm assuming legal adult)
    -Do you need a note from a therapist/psychologist?
    -Do you need some kind of experience, or "verification" of your transness?
    -Do they usually take insurance? What about without insurance?

    Obviously some of these questions depend on location and specific clinics in mind, but any advice or prior experience would be helpful. Location would be California, USA to narrow it down a bit.
     
  2. Just Jess

    Full Member

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    Hi Ender,

    The informed consent philosophy is that HRT should be treated the same way permanent birth control like an IUD or vasectomy is.

    Short and sweet
    - Yes you have to be an adult
    - No, no notes from therapists. Just an aside, you don't usually need these for "traditional" care either in the U.S.
    - Again, no proving your transness.

    What you do have to prove is that you know the ropes with hormones. This is the "informed" part of "informed consent".

    You're FtM, right? HRT means trading one set of health problems for another. Guys and anyone on Testosterone :

    * have an increased risk of heart attack
    * get acne more easily
    * convert excess testosterone into estrogen (This is why you work with a pro to keep your levels in check, you don't wanna backslide)
    * have to exercise and keep a healthy, low cholesterol diet

    FtM people on T :

    * become infertile
    * eventually should get their eggs removed, since it becomes really hard to test for cancers down there
    * might get (I know it sucks to talk about) yeast infections more easily
    * have less of a risk of breast cancer than people that don't take T, but it's still there, so until (if you're planning it) you get your chest lopped off, keep doing exams

    Just to be safe read this. Hudson is an awesome resource for FtM people like you :
    Hudson's Guide: FTM Testosterone Therapy Basics

    And ESPECIALLY read this :
    Hudson's Guide: FTM Testosterone Therapy and General Health

    - Probably. They are pros at working with insurance. They will phrase things in a non-controversial way. Be prepared for the worst, but hope for the best. If you don't have enough money to pay out of pocket, they can at least give you a solid number to shoot for.

    I or someone else will google up some clinics in a gif.

    ---------- Post added 12th Sep 2015 at 03:53 PM ----------

    Ordinarily I'd cite my source but it's another messageboard and I agree with the rules here. But, here's what they had for clinics in California.

    California- Bay Area
    LYON-MARTIN HEALTH SERVICES, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
    http://www.lyon-martin.org/transgender.php - SEEING NEW PATIENTS STARTING SEPTEMBER 1, 2011!
    TOM WADDELL HEALTH CENTER, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
    http://www.sfdph.org/dph/comupg/oservices/medSvs/hlthCtrs/TransgenderHlthCtr.asp
    DR. MADELINE (MADDIE) B. DEUTSCH, MD, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
    San Francisco Office: 3150 18th St., Suite #222 Mailbox #503 San Francisco, CA 94117
    ph 415-797-7136 | fax 323-679-0389
    http://westbaywellness.com/?page_id=593
    [email protected]

    TURK CLINIC, BAART PROGRAMS, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
    433 Turk St, San Francisco, CA 94102, (415) 928-7800
    BAART Programs San Francisco Drug Treatment | Turk Street Clinic | Methadone and Suboxone Treatment For Drug Addiction
    dunimal@reddit:
     Danny the NP can help you out.
     You need to have healthy SF or SF health plan, Medical, Medicaid, Medicare. You'll have to call if you have
    private insurance.
     When we started back in the day, it was a drug treatment program only. Today BAART TURK ST (Other
    BAARTs are single focused) offers primary care, programs for low income pregnant women, mental
    health, and drug treatment. HRT is through the primary care clinic.
    R. SHAWN K. HASSLER, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
    870 Market St., Suite 600 San Francisco, California 94102 (415) 397-0700 Fax: (415) 397-6805
    * Private insurance only *
    Dr. Shawn K. Hassler, MD | California Pacific Medical Center | Sutter Health


    TRANS VISION, TRI-CITY HEALTH CENTER (HABLA ESPANOL),FREEMONT, CALIFORNIA
    39184 State Street, Fremont, CA 94538 - Fax#: 510-739-1239
    Tiffany Woods - Program Coordinator (510) 713-6690 ext 6121 [email protected]
    TransVision Info Line 713-6690 ex6237
    100% of TransVision’s staff are Transgender women, Serving F-t-M,M-t-F, GenderQueer
    No Insurance- OK, Private Insurance not accepted, Medi-Cal accepted, Non-Alameda County Resident-OK
    Transvisiontricity.org
    Transvisiontricity.org
    Primary Care Services
    Hormone Assessment
    HIV Care & Treatment
    Free HEP A & B Vaccination
    Free Confidential HIV testing & counseling
    STD Screening
    HIV Prevention Services for Trans women such as
    Individual/Group Support
    Safe, trans positive space in Fremont
    In-Service Trainings for providers
    Free Hormone needle exchange/disposal
    Anon@reddit:
    • I went there for my first appointment in August 2011 and it was very easy and pleasant.
    • I think they accept patients from anywhere, but if you live in Alameda County and are uninsured and low-income, then
    they can help set you up with HealthPAC.

    CALIFORNIA - SANTA CRUZ
    DR. JENNIFER HASTINGS, PLANNED PARENTHOOD WESTSIDE HEALTH CENTER, SANTA CRUZ, CALIFORNIA
    1119 Pacific Ave. Suite 200 Santa Cruz, CA 95060 P: 831.426.5550 | F: 831.425.0106
    catamorphism : She sees both trans women and trans men.
    hadrianne@reddit: Dr. Hastings is taking new patients; there can be quite a wait for an appointment but PP has a very fair
    sliding scale, understands if your insurance doesn't cover trans stuff, and, oh yeah, she's totally awesome.
    Djcapelis@reddit: There can be a long wait if you just call up, but if you manage to reach Jenn, she usually tries to find a a
    way to cut through the wait if possible. She's really passionate about making sure people can get access to the care they need.

    CALIFORNIA- SANTA MONICA

    DR. MARKI J. KNOX
    2121 Wilshire Blvd #303 Santa Monica, CA 90403 (310) 264-1777
    Works / Consults with Dr. Maddie Deutsch
    Her practice is primarily in Women's Health, particularly fertility and obstectrics. Her clinic has a policy of charging fees that
    insurance does not cover rather than billing first as a paperwork saving measure. This is perhaps the only serious knock I
    have against the practice.
    Marki J Knox, MD - Obstetricians & Gynecologists - Santa Monica - Santa Monica, CA - Reviews - Yelp
    "I had already been on HRT for almost 10 months when I first saw Dr. Deutsch. She did ask questions about why I wanted
    HRT, and various things related to it. It was less than 10 minutes for that stuff."

    CALIFORNIA- LOS ANGELES
    DR. MADELINE (MADDIE) B. DEUTSCH, MD, Main practice is in San Francisco but she also travels to Los Angeles 1-2 times a month to see patients there.
    LA Gay and Lesbian Center: (twice a month) 1625 N Schrader Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90028 323-993-7518
    L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center
    LAGLC accepts insurance and does sliding scale. On site pharmacy. Serves both trans men and trans women. There can be a
    backlog for accepting new patients. Don't be discouraged!

    CALIFORNIA - LOS ANGELES
    DR. RICHARD HOROWITZ M.D.
    #855W 8635 West 3rd Street, Los Angeles, CA (310) 358-7200
    RICHARD HOROWITZ, MD, F.A.C.P., is board certified in internal medicine and has been a clinical faculty member of the
    Department of Medicine at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles since 1991. Dr. Horowitz received his medical degree
    from Université François Rabelais in Tours, France in 1983. He completed a fellowship in reproductive immunology at
    Institut Louis Pasteur in Paris and was Chief Medical Resident of internal medicine at New York's Mount Sinai City Hospital
    until 1986. He has been the Chairman and member of Executive Committees at several Los Angeles hospitals, in addition to
    his academic appointment as an Assistant Professor of. Medicine at UCLA Center for Health Sciences, Harbor-UCLA Medical
    Center and Wadsworth Veterans Administration Medical Center. A private practitioner and specialist in the area of
    hormonal reassignment, Dr. Horowitz is a member of the World Professional Association of Transgender Health, the
    American College of Physicians and the American Society of Nephrology. (A43197, 1987)

    ---------- Post added 12th Sep 2015 at 03:55 PM ----------

    By the way, I went the more "traditional" approach, and am MtF, but Brad the Cat is FtM and can answer any informed consent questions I didn't.