2018 Physician Compensation Report. Facial feminization surgery (FFS) involves a comprehensive set of procedures to make your face appear more feminine. Values: "At Kamol Hospital we provide a complete spectrum of fine cosmetic surgical procedures, performed by elite plastic surgeons setting new technological achievements. Secondly, the current study does not take into account the postsurgical administrative and billing time consumption and costs. These IMRs are often requested through the California Department of Managed Healthcare resulting in state-mandated overturn of the insurance decision, or less commonly, through the insurance company for ERISA or self-insured plans which do not fall under state jurisdiction. The FFS Surgeons listed below are highly qualified plastic, cosmetic and maxillofacial Surgeons who regularly perform FFS. Dr. Nghiem is an Ivy League-educated, fellowship-trained plastic surgeon in Washington, D.C. who specializes in transgender surgery, including Chest Masculinization and Breast Augmentation. 2016; 137:438448. In addition to following WPATHs SOC format, it is helpful if it is specifically tailored to FGCS. In practice for more than 20 years, Dr. Salgado performs all aspects of transgender surgeries, from Facial Feminization and Top Surgery, to complex genital procedures such as Vaginoplasty and Phalloplasty. Every insurance company is "difficult" to work with. According to the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, facial feminization surgery is particularly inaccessible because almost all insurance companies deem it a cosmetic procedure . Please try after some time. On average, Dr. Keojampa is booking 8-12 months out for Aesthetic Craniofacial Surgery and Facial Feminization Surgery. Insurance Coverage for FFS Surgery abroad Medical inequality for trans people means that access to quality trans healthcare is absent or limited in many regions. No. Costs of health care administration in the United States and Canada. FHS/FFS (Facial Harmonization Surgery / Facial Feminization Surgery) Metoidioplasty/Phalloplasty Vaginoplasty/Vulvoplasty Classes cover the following material: Surgical options and techniques Surgery planning and pathway at Kaiser Post-operative care and recovery Most sessions also include a patient panel *, Time and cost of the insurance approval process for FFS. For Bay Area trans women, facial feminization surgery helps complete A Systematic Review of Tranexamic Acid in Plastic Surgery: Whats New? During Your FFS Procedure How long it takes: This depends on what you are having done. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open9(5):e3572, May 2021. However, we are not responsible for any insurance documentation, reimbursement, denials, or appeals. Received for publication February 2, 2021; accepted February 27, 2021. Notes. 3). I cannot tell you what insurance plan to get that covers FGCS, there are too many variables. See all insurance information. Our surgeons specialize in a variety of facial feminization procedures, such as forehead reduction, jaw contouring, and chin surgery. 2018; 80:198204. For patients anticipating insurance coverage for your surgery, we appreciate that you may wish to seek insurance reimbursement for the cost of some or all of your feminization procedures and have outlined some general guidelines below. Facial Feminization Surgery (FFS) in Thailand - MyMediTravel A number of patients had multiple consultations, some consulted legal assistance, and, particularly patients in Groups B and C, some experienced significant distress over the repetitive denials and lack of clarity in the end result of the process. James S, Herman J, Rankin S, et al. The cheapest caesarean section is 48,000 baht (year 2020) including sterilization 53,000 baht. Dr. Andrew Kleinberger. 5. Dr. Thomas Satterwhite How Much Does Facial Feminization Surgery Cost? | RealSelf Facial Reconstruction: Gender affirming facial surgery is considered reconstructive when all of the following criteria have been met: The individual is at least 18 years of age; and Your message has been successfully sent to your colleague. Facial Feminization Surgery, FFS Minneapolis and - Omni Cosmetic Facial feminization surgery (FFS) is undertaken to reconstruct masculine facial features to present a feminine form. It can be just as important or even more important than sex reassignment surgery (SRS) in reducing gender dysphoria and helping trans women integrate socially as women. Because Medicare patients (n = 4) do not need prior authorization, they were excluded from the time and cost analysis of the insurance appeal process for Group A. This is called facial feminization surgery. One of the greatest joys in my trans community work is helping people navigate Facial Gender Confirming Surgery. 2. Disclosure: All the authors have no financial interest to declare in relation to the content of this article. These procedures may include: Tummy tuck, called abdominoplasty. Included in Appendix D are the new letter referral suggestions for gender-affirming surgery (GAS). Related Digital Media are available in the full-text version of the article on www.PRSGlobalOpen.com. This document is a general guide to national resources, but because of the state-specific nature of most insurance regulation, I highly suggest you attempt to reach out to local experts who are better able to advise you to your situation. 1. She believes in a shared vision and works closely with her patients to deliver the best quality care that is in line with their needs. FFS can include hairline lowering, jaw reduction, rhinoplasty (nose reshaping), eyelid surgery, face or neck lift, and other facial changes. The format for an appeals process and regulations/law/policy to cite within it vary widely depending on the mix of state and local regulations that apply to your specific plan. Unlike California-insured plans, job-based plans which are self-insured, also called Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)-plans, a second-level, patient-initiated appeal is typically required. Two letters from mental health providers. Also referred to as Facial Gender Confirmation Surgery (FGCS), these procedures are becoming more and more popular, and increasingly are covered by insurance. Gender-affirmation surgery gives transgender people a physical appearance that aligns with their gender. Dr. Javad Sajan - Facial Feminization Surgery (FFS) in Seattle Hu, Allison C. BA*; Dang, Brian N. BS*; Bertrand, Anthony A. MD, MBA*; Jain, Nirbhay S. MD*; Chan, Candace H. BS*; Lee, Justine C. MD, PhD, FACS*,. All data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 25 (IBM, Chicago, Ill.). *. To filter results, enter information and 'click search icon' and/or select from the dropdown lists. Wolters Kluwer Health The time spent on the presurgical authorization process for Groups B and C translated to an over 20-fold increase in cost ($855.00 and $988.38, respectively) compared with Group A. Navigation of the insurance process for FFS is challenging and time-consuming; however, coverage is a reality in California provided that multi-level appeals are exhausted. (See table 2, Supplemental Digital Content 2, which displays the total time and cost of the insurance approval process per group. Facial Feminization Surgery (FFS) | University of Miami Health System Facial Feminization Surgery NYC | Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Lee has gained worldwide recognition as an FFS specialist after it was announced that he performed Caitlyn Jenners facial . 14. Dr. Facque joined the Gender Confirmation Centers team in September 2020 as a full-time Associate Surgeon specializing in Facial Gender Confirmation Surgery, Top Surgery and Body Contouring. In these circumstances, both complications and revisions are covered as reconstructive procedures, whereas self-pay patients may be responsible for secondary surgical costs. Facial Feminization Surgery (FFS) | Johns Hopkins Medicine By browsing TransHealthCare.org, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. We identified all patients with gender dysphoria consulted for FFS under a single surgeon (JCL) at the University of California Los Angeles between January 2018 and February 2020 (n = 55). Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open, Get new journal Tables of Contents sent right to your email inbox, Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives License 4.0 (CCBY-NC-ND), https://www.transequality.org/sites/default/files/docs/USTS-Full-Report-FINAL.PDF, https://blog.doximity.com/articles/doximity-2018-physician-compensation-report, PRSGO_9_5_2021_03_23_LEE_GOX-D-21-00105_SDC2.pdf; [PDF] (74 KB), Facial Feminization Surgery under Insurance: The University of California Los Angeles Experience, Articles in Google Scholar by Allison C. Hu, BA, Other articles in this journal by Allison C. Hu, BA, Factors Influencing the Choice of Plastic Surgery as a Specialty in Saudi Arabia, Outcomes of Implant Removal and Capsulectomy for Breast Implant Illness in 248 Patients, A Safe and Effective Lip Augmentation Method: The Step-by-Step (Phi) Technique, Regret after Gender-affirmation Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Prevalence. As an example, the typical timeline for our Group B and C patients is as follows: 1. Fortunately, as insurance coverage for gender confirmation surgeries has increased, so has physician interest in training. His experience in cosmetic and craniofacial surgery makes him an excellent choice for Facial Feminization (FFS) and Masculinization surgeries. Also referred to as Facial Gender Confirmation Surgery (FGCS), these procedures are becoming more and more popular, and increasingly are covered by insurance. Please note that before you can schedule . A surgeon who takes your insurance, hopefully in-network or willing to do the legwork of a single case agreement, with whom you are ready to move forward in planning surgery. Capitn L, Simon D, Kaye K, et al. Despite these reports, coverage continues to be variable from state to state, physician to physician, as well as depending on anatomical region. Based on my conversations with friends who are very satisfied with their FGCS, I assure you that no surgery can completely resolve that anxiety. Dr. Ellie Zara Ley, MD is an accomplished board-certified plastic surgeon who had more than 15 years of specialized training in plastic, craniofacial and micro surgery before learning the art of Gender Confirmation Surgery. Facial feminization surgery: the forehead. How Do I Pay For Facial Feminization Surgery? - drbastidas.com 2). One of the major issues among surgeons and patients with regard to insurance coverage for FFS is the lack of understanding of the process as coverage for gender healthcare is highly variable depending on state law and plan variabilities (Table 3). Facial feminization surgery - Doctors & Departments - Mayo Clinic Facial Feminization in Korea - Everything You Need to Know! FFS is ideal for trans women and non-transgender women who want a more feminine facial appearance. However, this is starting to change. Unlike California plans, self-insured plans are not under the CA DMHC and, thus, the final outcome is more variable. Facial feminization surgery (FFS) includes a series of plastic and craniofacial surgical procedures designed to feminize the face. I can't guarantee that you'll achieve coverage, but depending on how your insurance benefits are regulated and the support resources you have access to, it's definitely worth trying. Despite improved insurance coverage for gender confirmation surgeries in the United States, coverage for facial feminization surgery (FFS) continues to be difficult. Rhinoplasty. Insurance - International Center for Transgender Care Forehead (frontal bone recontouring, recontouring of superior orbital rim, hairline lowering). This should be sent to you in written form, with the specific reason for the denial included. Thus, coverage significantly increases accessibility. Gender-Affirmation Surgery | Transgender Surgery | The University of 2). Please keep track of the mail being sent to the address on file with insurance, as you often are only able to appeal within certain time frames from the initial decision. Listings for surgeons outside of the New York area are compiled only for surgeons who perform some combination of genital surgery or FGCS, . generic exclusions referenced under "general surgery guidelines" and "cosmetic procedures." South Dakota (0) State Medicaid has no . The United States . Administering cosmetic fillers may take an hour or less, while complex facial surgery may take several hours. Dr. Crane is a board-certified plastic surgeon who performs Gender Affirming Surgery procedures in Austin, Texas. https://links.lww.com/PRSGO/B648.). Other costs to consider are: Our practice does NOT contract with any insurance providers to allay the cost of your facial feminization surgery. Thus, specifying any one procedure as medically necessary while excluding other facial procedures reflects a lack of understanding of the nature of the diagnosis. Based in Washington, D.C., Dr. Ramineni performs upwards of 600 surgeries a year and has a specialization in Gender Affirmation Surgery. Ann Plast Surg. Male-to-female (MTF) facial feminization. Any reimbursement from the insurance company (if any) would be paid directly to the patient. Health insurance Medical Policies - Trans Health Project Health insurance is unnecessarily difficult when it comes to gender affirming surgery. Insurances are constantly changing and we cannot make any guarantees concerning insurance coverage or approval. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 360 Post St. Suite 901 Regardless, I recommend that you fight everything out in the preauthorization/pre service review process, and not after you have already paid and might be left holding the bill. FFS may include a brow lift, cheek augmentation, rhinoplasty, and lip augmentation. your express consent. Each letter should state "this procedure is medically necessary treatment. With all letters, I advise providers to be as authoritative in their tone as possible, and to explicitly claim an expert status if appropriate. Price on request Facial Feminization Surgery (FFS) View details & Read reviews CALL NOW. He serves as Division Chief of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, and Program Director of the Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship. Health Insurance Utilizing coverage under a health insurance plan is often the most affordable way to pay for FFS. NOTE:The following is intended as ahigh-level overview and guide onlyand does not in any way constitute legal or professional advice. If not, remember youre never alone and there are a range of transgender support agencies that you can tap into. According to the Philadelphia Center for Transgender Surgery,. If your insurance provider approves the authorization request, we may be able to submit a one-time complimentary claim on your behalf. Facial Feminization Surgery (FFS) Miami, FL - Dr. Salgado Beginning in June 2021, Dr. Esmonde will serve as a full-time Associate Surgeon with The Meltzer Clinic offering the full spectrum of gender-affirming procedures. Prior to meeting with the social worker, patients should complete this assessment document. Tseng P, Kaplan RS, Richman BD, et al. Facial feminization surgery (FFS) for our male-to-female (M2F) patients can sometimes be the most important decision in your transition. Jaw contouring contours the mandible and narrows a full jaw by reducing angles in the lower face. Dr. Leys multiple plastic surgery sub-specialty fellowships and gentle manner allow her to provide superb surgical care for transgender and non-binary patients. Ultimately this letter is between you and your provider, but here is some sample language that has been helpful to patients I've worked with: "Patient X has been adherent to two years of hormone replacement therapy including (specific estrogen regimen.) School-Based Dental Sealants; Licensed Rhode Island Dentists. Available at: 9. Patients who receive prior authorization are still required to pay for the cost of their facial feminization surgery in advance.