document updated 13 years ago, on Oct 8, 2010
While it's true that taking drugs that affect the endocrine system can have VERY WIDE RANGING consequences, it's also true that the insurance industry tries to deny coverage for claims that could possibly conceivably be tied to prexisting conditions. This can mean that transgender people are effectively shut out from all insurance coverage.
- Because transphobia is so pervasive, insurance companies can be openly discriminatory, and not have to worry about being successfully sued because the judiciary is just as transphobic as everyone else.
- Insurance companies aren't necessarily transphobic. Instead they're driven solely by the profit motive (where the most profitable situation is where you can take someone's money for years, and be confident that as soon as they file a major claim that you can refuse all coverage). It doesn't take a genius to realize that endemic discrimination is an incredibly easy way to achieve their goals.
- Some people respond to this issue by attempting to completely hide their transgender status from insurance companies.
- This can be quite tricky, as it can be critically important to let your doctor know your entire medical history and current medication, to avoid drug interactions, and because the endocrine system does influence so many different things.
- You have to hide your identity on the internet too!