Help Owen get top surgery!
Donation protected
Hello!
My name is Owen and I am a 21 year-old transgender man attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I started physically/socially transitioning about two years ago and have been taking testosterone for two years this November. The next step in my transition process is having a double mastectomy, or top surgery as it is colloquially known.
For the past 9 months, I have been navigating the process of vetting surgeons in the area, acquiring the necessary paperwork and going through the tedious process of acquiring prior authorization for the procedure. I originally had planned to have the procedure done in August before the beginning of the Fall academic semester, but due to scheduling, confusion with insurance, and monetary stress I decided to push my surgery date back. I was told in August that the procedure would be covered and set the date for December 13th.
However amount a month ago, I was informed that my insurance had mistakenly given approval for the procedure. After further research, I realized that the NC State Health Plan, which I am covered by through my mother's insurance, is "trans-exclusionary." This means that they no longer cover transition related care, including both hormone replacement therapy and reassignment surgery. The state health plan's refusal to cover gender dysphoria has been equated to discrimination by many pending lawsuits , but there is unlikely to be a resolution soon. This means that I will have to pay out-of-pocket for the surgery in December, or postpone it yet again until I am able to pay the out-of-pocket costs.
I struggle to write this description because I have been incredibly blessed to have parents, family, friends, and a thriving community that has loved me unconditionally through this process. I also what to recognize that this may come to a surprise to some reading this, as I have not "come out" to all of my loved ones, friends, or colleagues. I know that some may be hurt by this, but I want to make clear that this was not done with malicious intent. Coming out has not been a linear process for me and has been frustrating/daunting at times. I am still and always will be Owen and that is something I have not yet found the language for that. Though, I am open to any and all questions to those who may have them.
This procedure is something that I desperately need to maintain my mental and physical well-being and is not something that I can do alone. Transitioning has allowed me to become the version of myself that I always knew existed, but did not know how to find.
I have been able to save about $4,000 from working two jobs and plan to continue to do so. However, balancing work and a full academic load has proved to be quite challenging this semester and unfortunately, these medical costs are not something that I am confident I can continue to bear on my own.
Any help would be greatly appreciated, as well as good vibes, well wishes, and support.
The following outlines the out-of-pocket costs of surgery;
- $5500 surgeon fee, paid directly to the office of Dr. Joel Beck
- Approx ~ $3000 for facility and anesthesia fees
-$500 for medication and necessary aftercare materials
Total: $9,000
With love,
OC
My name is Owen and I am a 21 year-old transgender man attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I started physically/socially transitioning about two years ago and have been taking testosterone for two years this November. The next step in my transition process is having a double mastectomy, or top surgery as it is colloquially known.
For the past 9 months, I have been navigating the process of vetting surgeons in the area, acquiring the necessary paperwork and going through the tedious process of acquiring prior authorization for the procedure. I originally had planned to have the procedure done in August before the beginning of the Fall academic semester, but due to scheduling, confusion with insurance, and monetary stress I decided to push my surgery date back. I was told in August that the procedure would be covered and set the date for December 13th.
However amount a month ago, I was informed that my insurance had mistakenly given approval for the procedure. After further research, I realized that the NC State Health Plan, which I am covered by through my mother's insurance, is "trans-exclusionary." This means that they no longer cover transition related care, including both hormone replacement therapy and reassignment surgery. The state health plan's refusal to cover gender dysphoria has been equated to discrimination by many pending lawsuits , but there is unlikely to be a resolution soon. This means that I will have to pay out-of-pocket for the surgery in December, or postpone it yet again until I am able to pay the out-of-pocket costs.
I struggle to write this description because I have been incredibly blessed to have parents, family, friends, and a thriving community that has loved me unconditionally through this process. I also what to recognize that this may come to a surprise to some reading this, as I have not "come out" to all of my loved ones, friends, or colleagues. I know that some may be hurt by this, but I want to make clear that this was not done with malicious intent. Coming out has not been a linear process for me and has been frustrating/daunting at times. I am still and always will be Owen and that is something I have not yet found the language for that. Though, I am open to any and all questions to those who may have them.
This procedure is something that I desperately need to maintain my mental and physical well-being and is not something that I can do alone. Transitioning has allowed me to become the version of myself that I always knew existed, but did not know how to find.
I have been able to save about $4,000 from working two jobs and plan to continue to do so. However, balancing work and a full academic load has proved to be quite challenging this semester and unfortunately, these medical costs are not something that I am confident I can continue to bear on my own.
Any help would be greatly appreciated, as well as good vibes, well wishes, and support.
The following outlines the out-of-pocket costs of surgery;
- $5500 surgeon fee, paid directly to the office of Dr. Joel Beck
- Approx ~ $3000 for facility and anesthesia fees
-$500 for medication and necessary aftercare materials
Total: $9,000
With love,
OC
Organizer
Owen Conley
Organizer
Chapel Hill, NC
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