Final Notice For Tumor Scan Bill
Hello. I'm a 33 year old transgender woman who is pre-op. In October of last year I discovered a lump on my testicle. We just dealt with my Dad having prostate cancer and didn't want to take any chances with my health. My family doctor concluded that the lump may be cancerous and to go seek further testing. My insurance, Meridian Health, said they would pay for me to go to Advanced Radiology for the tests. Testing concluded I have a non-cancerous growing testicular cyst that needed to be removed. I was referred to a urologist who refused to do the procedure until I "looked into Gender Reassignment Surgery". The Urologist is the only one that Meridian would cover so I was forced to comply; so I was sent to Dr. Schechter in Chicago. After months of waiting I finally met Dr. Schechter who said he would do the Gender Reassignment Surgery and set up a surgery date. However Meridian refused to cover paying for GRS as well so the procedure was canceled and I was shipped back to my Urologist.
In this time period my cyst has hardened and grown in size to the point that simply draining it is no longer an option. My Urologist then tried to set up an Orchiectomy surgery. Meridian has refused to pay for that because they want a letter from a psychologist first. My Urologist and family doctor has explained to them numerous times that this has nothing to do with being transgender; it is a medically necessary procedure as it is growing and causing me great pain. Meridian refused to budge so now I'm waiting to see a psychologist for a letter to prove I'm mentally sound for a medically necessary procedure simply because I am a transgender woman.
In this time Meridian has paid in full, and then took back their money from Advanced Radiology. I am disabled with Fibromyalgia, Marfans Syndrome, and a seizure disorder and unable to hold a job; so my family is struggling to pay the bills that Meridian has refused to cover. My Dad is retired after his battle with cancer so my Mom is the only one capable of working. Her income keep the house running but can not pay for all these extra expenses Meridian has piled onto us. I am asking for $300 to pay off Advanced Radiology in full so I won't be turned over to a creditor and our family financially ruined. Any extra money I receive will be used to pay down the other bills Meridian refuses to pay because I am transgender.
I have 15 days to pay this bill, so my situation is rather urgent. I have done everything that I was asked to do by my insurance this past year and have no other means of paying for this bill. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.
