Trans-Friendly Doctor in Austin, TX

June 9, 2022 4:26 PM

My insurance company's provider search doesn't make it easy to find this. I know of several clinics that serve specifically the LGBTQ+ community, but they primarily serve the uninsured and low-income. I do NOT want to take these resources from those who need them.

I am AFAB and nonbinary. I have United All Savers Nav PPO insurance through my employer. The insurance helpline and website has been unhelpful. My brokers are gender essentialists and even less helpful.

I need STD testing and a pelvic exam. I am nearing the age for mammograms. I have a LOT of medical anxiety and the idea of shopping around to find a doctor who won't misgender me and will treat me with a little respect just makes that worse. On top of that, I'm experiencing some worrying symptoms.

I am not specifically looking for transition-related care right now, but top surgery and hormones may be in my future.

Does anyone have a good recommendation for a doctor in Austin, TX that is taking new patients and might be covered by my insurance? I'm in north-central, but willing to drive across town for a doctor I'm comfortable with.

posted by MuChao to Health & Fitness (6 answers total)

I will me-mail you the name of my old doctor. I did not stay in Austin long enough to need a pelvic exam, so I don't know if he does them. I had the name of a gyn, too, but not sure if I can find it.
posted by hoyland at 4:49 PM on June 9, 2022

Best answer: I'd like to gently push back on the idea that you shouldn't go to those clinics if they would otherwise work well for you. The better reimbursement from commercial insurance often helps prop up the finances of clinics that would struggle to get by on Medicaid and FQHC wraparound money alone, and sometimes that can help provide the revenue needed for additional staff and resources. So the primary resource that you would be taking would be a couple of appointments a year, which isn't nothing, obviously, in a system where access is strained, but is not a lot. You could also use it as a springboard to getting the care you need while you search for another practice.

That said, one option is to look at the websites for practices in your insurance company's list and see if any of them specifically note LBGTQ+ friendly care as an interest, either for the practice or for individual providers.
posted by The Elusive Architeuthis at 5:03 PM on June 9, 2022 [8 favorites]

Health insurance directories are generally wholly inadequate when seeking care as a trans person. You have personal recommendations and, if that fails, your next best bet are generally the FQHCs, which bring their own frustrations, but are a shortcut to finding providers genuinely interested in LGBT medicine.
posted by hoyland at 5:28 PM on June 9, 2022 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: I'd like to gently push back on the idea that you shouldn't go to those clinics if they would otherwise work well for you. The better reimbursement from commercial insurance often helps prop up the finances of clinics that would struggle to get by on Medicaid and FQHC wraparound money alone, and sometimes that can help provide the revenue needed for additional staff and resources.

Thank you for this perspective.

In Texas, it is definitely something to consider as I know my community and these organizations are struggling. I try to recognize my privilege and try to minimize its cost to others. I don't want to take appointments away from others who couldn't go elsewhere. While I'd prefer to donate to these clinics instead, I will keep this in mind if I can't find someplace else.
posted by MuChao at 5:41 PM on June 9, 2022 [3 favorites]

Best answer: I’m sure you have plenty of privileges to list, but being cis is not one of them. I encourage you to honor that (and your medical anxiety) and see about getting an appointment at a LGBTQ+ clinic.

I’m in LA and go to the UCLA gender health center. I don’t know if there’s a medical college in Austin that may have a similar service but isn’t on the list of clinics you’re aware of.

Being able to go to the doctor and not be misgendered or have to worry about them using my correct name is SUCH a relief.
posted by itesser at 6:57 PM on June 9, 2022 [2 favorites]

You’ll have to cross check to see whether or not they take your insurance but this guide should be a starting point, I think.
posted by raccoon409 at 7:09 PM on June 9, 2022