The Philadelphia Center for Transgender Surgery Suggests 7 Inventive Ways to Pay For Transitioning Procedures

Many people believe that Obamacare covers transgender surgery, but it's not quite there yet. Although the law is closer than anything in history to providing health insurance covering transgender surgery and transitioning, its wording is still vague, focusing on preventing discrimination in the delivery of medical services without specifying the transgender procedures it covers.

Yet, many interpret this concept of preventing discrimination broadly and feel that the law does open the door to more comprehensive and accessible coverage for transgender people. In fact, even now, a growing number of corporate health insurance policies are starting to cover part, if not all the transgender surgery and the transitioning process.

However, the transitioning transgender person must be mindful that there are still medical procedures and protocols that are considered elective and are not covered by insurance.

Dr. Sherman Leis, a pioneer in transgender surgery and founder of the Philadelphia Center for Transgender Surgery, has helped thousands of transgender people transition. He suggests 7 inventive tips to raise money for transitioning:

1) Crowdfunding
There are many kind people who will consider helping people fund their endeavors through crowdfunding. Crowdfunding enables people to post their business or personal need online with the hope that others will read about it and become motivated to contribute towards it. Sites like GoFundMe, GiveForward and others already have some history of raising money for transgender people.

2) Collateralized loans
Look around you. If you own something with recognized value such as a home, art, a stock portfolio or other assets, some banks offer a credit line based on your pledging collateral to support your loan.

3) Non-collateralized loan
Credit cards and some credit unions permit issuing loans without collateral, based on your character and payment history. Many credit cards will let you pay their balance over a longer period to make the payback more affordable.

4) Transgender surgery grants
There are organizations like The Jim Collins Foundation and Community Kinship Life that provide grants towards transgender surgery. One must apply to them directly and provide an application for a grant.

5) Family funds
Asking family for money can be stressful, but often these are the people who know you best and care about you. Sometimes once you do ask, you'll be surprised how supportive some family members are. Advantages can include low or no interest and generous payback terms.

6) Ask at your doctor's office
Sometimes your doctor can have special relationships with banks that facilitate obtaining a loan for your transgender surgery. No doubt you are not the first transgender person asking for ideas regarding paying for the medical services. It might pay to ask.

7) The government, insurance and others
Government and insurance can vary by state, company and other factors. For example, Medicaid covers transgender surgery in many states but not all. Social Security Insurance coverage is spotty, too. Your own insurance might cover it, so it pays to check into your coverage more comprehensively. Plus, if you don't have health insurance, your obtaining health insurance may offer you a better deal to pay for your surgery than other options, so it may pay to enroll.

Observed, Dr. Leis, "We are getting closer to the time when transgender people will be covered for their medical needs without discrimination and in the same way the rest of our citizenry is. Until then, we need to continue to make the public aware of this major shortcoming to our health system and the moral, ethical and medical value it is to our society, to fix it."

Dr. Sherman Leis is one of the world's pre-eminent transgender surgeons and founder of The Philadelphia Center for Transgender Surgery, located in Bala Cynwyd, PA. It is recognized as one of the leading facilities in the world specializing in gender reassignment surgery.

The Center was founded to be a sole source of information and expertise in medical care for the transgender. The Philadelphia Center for Transgender Surgery offers a uniquely supportive environment where one can connect with Dr. Leis' surgical and non-surgical team of dedicated specialists -- surgeons, psychologists, endocrinologists, aestheticians, speech therapists, legal experts, and others.

The Philadelphia Center for Transgender Surgery is located in suburban Philadelphia at 19 Montgomery Avenue, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004.