The best first step for anybody is to be sure they understand what their insurance covers, and to touch base with their insurance providers to see if they’re offering any enhanced assistance during the COVID-19 issue. For example, Humana is offering co-pay free virtual appointments and is allowing people to refill their scripts early. Medicare and Medicaid both provide coverage, and most personal insurers do as well.
For folks in KY: http://www.kentuckyhealthjusticenetwork.org/
KHJN is the best first step if they need funds. KHNJ has a limited amount of funds for this type of assistance, and I’m sure with the covid-19 issues, they know that the level of need will rise.
Below are additional resources that Louisville Youth Group has gathered on finding funding to support costs related to transition. These are national points of contact, but some may be regional or state-based as well. The National Center for Transgender Equality provided help assembling this information.
Resources: Video on insurance navigation
Health Care, Insurance and Additional Mental Health Resources
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
National network of mental health care providers, as well as a provider database
http://www.nami.org/Find-Support/LGBTQ
Help Line 800-950-6264
National Council for Behavioral Health
National network of community behavioral health centers, as well as a provider database
http://www.thenationalcouncil.org/
Psychology Today Therapist Finder
A list of therapists around North America. Once a city or state is selected, there is a filter for therapists working with transgender clients under the ‘Issue’ area on the left
https://therapists.psychologytoday.com/rms/
SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
A national database for local professionals and agencies that provide addiction recovery services and mental health care.
https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/
800-662-HELP (4357)
National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (NAFC)
Clinics around the United States that offer basic health care for those without insurance or experiencing homelessness.
http://www.nafcclinics.org/
RAD Remedy
Community-sourced list of trans-affirming healthcare providers
https://www.radremedy.org/
Out2Enroll
Resources to help transgender people select and enroll in insurance
TransHealth
Health and guidance for healthcare providers, as well as a list of transaffirming health clinics in Canada, the United States, and England.
http://www.trans-health.com/
Transcend Legal
Transcend Legal helps people get transgender-related health care covered under insurance.
https://transcendlegal.org/
TransChance Health
Helps transgender people navigate health care and insurance to receive respectful, high-quality care, and get transition-related care covered
https://www.transchancehealth.org/
JustUs Health
Leads the work to achieve health equity for diverse gender, sexual, and cultural communities in Minnesota, including the Trans Aging Project and a Trans Health Insurance guide
https://www.justushealth.mn
Jim Collins Foundation
Financial support for transition-related expenses for people without insurance or who have been excluded by insurance
http://jimcollinsfoundation.org/apply/
Point of Pride Annual Transgender Surgery Fund
Provides direct financial assistance to trans folks who cannot afford their gender-affirming surgery
https://pointofpride.org/annual-transgender-surgery-fund/
Community Kinship Life Surgery Scholarship
Provides the trans community with assistance while having a sense of community and kinship
http://cklife.org/scholarship/
Transformative Freedom Fund (Colorado)
Supports the authentic selves of transgender Coloradans by removing financial barriers to transition related healthcare
https://transformativefreedomfund.org/
Kentucky Health Justice Network Trans Health Advocacy
Works to help Trans Kentuckians access the healthcare they need, as well as reaffirm our autonomy and community
http://www.kentuckyhealthjusticenetwork.org/trans-health.html