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DSHS & SRS
What you need to know!
In the early 1990's, DSHS practice was to grant exception for gender reassignment surgery as long as your doctor would file an exception to policy for your surgery. Their studies showed this is a proven method of treatment, not experimental. This is a large part of your physical and mental health treatment.
The letter has to contain the medical necessity for your surgery based on your physical and mental health. We all know hormones are hard on our body’s, as well as the mental aspect of living in the wrong body. To be disfigured genitally from your birth sex. Your body is not incongruent with your mind, or in other words your mind and body do not match. Requiring surgery to correct your genital disfigurement. To be the person that loves one self. To look in the mirror and see the real you. To finally have the confidence, and pride in yourself. To enjoy living life to it's fullest capacity.
As of late 2006, the DSHS/HRSA has stopped granting this exception on the basis of the Hayes Report. Mind you this agency was hired by DSHS to arrive at the necessary results they needed to stop paying for gender reassignment surgeries. This is not legal to discriminate against a transgender, health treatment. Based on the findings of the Report. It has been proven in The Harry Benjamin Standards of Care. Also backed my many Doctors, Psychiatrists through out the world.
You need to still have your doctor file for your exception to policy. You will be denied, so don’t be surprised.
What the state is not telling you is, not only does your primary care provider need to file for you. You will also need letters from your Endocrinologist, Psychiatrist, and a Urologists. Stating what the benefits of surgery will be in your overall treatment. This will include things like, Liver, and Heart Disease. Mental, and Emotional wellbeing. The counter reactions of taking hormone blockers.
In addition you will need a referral from your doctor to the University of Washington Medical Center, or one of the following Centers of Excellence listed on the download page. For an evaluation and recommendation for treatment. I know how this sounds to hear the words, evaluation, recommendation, and treatment. It’s ok. You are a transgender person using hormones, and requesting (corrective), Not elective surgery.
Filing for “Out of State Medical Services”. There presently are no hospitals or clinics providing SRS in the state of Washington. So you will need to do a little research and find, (1), your preferred surgeon. The one you trust to give you the best health care. (2), You will need a list of competent peer surgeons that perform Sex Reassignment surgery’s. This means, they want to know the doctors, and where the surgery will take place. Much like an independent health insurance company would. I will list the needed forms necessary to file your exception to policy for your medically needed surgery. On the Download Forms page of this website.
Sounds like a lot. It’s not. Remember time is on your side. There have been transgender folks just like you, the state has granted surgery (SRS). Think of it as your starting the process of getting your place in line behind those ahead of you, and ahead of those to follow you. Don’t delay, download the forms, make the calls you need to make for the appointments. Make sure you show up to your appointments. Don’t call and cancel or delay your appointment. This does not show your urgency to get corrective surgery.
Remember you are asking for a proven method of health care. This is medically necessary CORRECTIVE SURGERY. You are not asking for an elective, or cosmetic surgery. You need this surgery to live, and love life as the gender you are. Not the disfigured, mismatched one you have now. So get started now.
If you have questions, you can always ask for help. Talk with your doctor, therapist, all the professionals in your life. We are not professionals, we are transgender folks just like you. We are only sharing the information we have found. You are always welcome to send us your questions. But keep in mind, we will be guiding you in a direction, to find your answers by a competent professional.
Statements made in the above information are my personal understanding,
I am not an attorney. I can not legally advise you.
Copyright © 2006-2007 The STHN Group
Last modified: March 21, 2007