Homework lesson

This one's short, but important. Last thing in this section.

Before you move on to the next section, I need you to do some more serious specific research to prepare.

The more specific your cost research, the better you can prepare a spending plan. The first five are essential, and the other five need to be done if they apply to you.

Exercise 7: Determining your transition needs and approximate costs and times

• A. Look at your health insurance policy.
  • Look for info on deductible, exclusions, options for out-of-network providers

• B. Research and choose a primary therapist.
  • See my section on choosing a therapist for details
  • Find out hourly rate, and the frequency each month the therapist would like to see you
  • Try to find out from patients how long they were required to go before starting hormones and getting letters

• C. Determine if you would benefit from a support group or conventions.
  • If so, determine membership and enrollment costs

• D. Research and choose an electrologist.
  • See my section on choosing an electrologist for details
  • Find out hourly rate and get a consultation for an idea of how much you might need per week or month
  • Based on this, make a rough estimate of your time to completion, leaning toward the conservative

• E. Research and choose a physician for hormones.
  • See my section on choosing a physician for details
  • Find out cost for blood work and hormones, and factor in insurance coverage.

• F. Research and choose a lawyer and financial advisor if necessary.
  • Research rates and approximate total costs for your needs

• G. Determine how you will deal with hair loss if necessary.
  • Research costs of drugs, surgery or wigs/hair systems
  • Hair grows about half an inch a month, so estimate how long until your hair would be at the feminine length you desire.

• H. Research and choose a secondary therapist.
  • Find out hourly rate, and the frequency each month the therapist would like to see you.
  • Try to find out from patients how long they were required to go before getting letter

• I. Research and choose a surgeon for SRS.
  • Find out surgical fees and factor in travel and other expenses
  • Determine if there's a waiting list, but don't book until you have a transition timetable and spending plan in place.

• J. Research and choose a surgeon for other plastic surgery if necessary.
  • Find out surgical fees and factor in travel and other expenses, but don't book until you have a transition timetable and spending plan in place.

Once you have these estimates, go through the itemized categories in Part Two and estimate your own projected costs over the course of your transition.

Order the interactive spreadsheet of this financing information.