u/Upstairs_Lemon_8650

Hi everyone,

I believe I've been experiencing medical discrimination when trying to get care. Most of the medical centers and hospitals in my area are part of a health network that prides itself on trans care for context I live in upstate NY in which our medical center is part of a vermont network.

I initially called a local endocrinology office to ask if they provided HRT for trans people. The receptionist said they thought so but I'd need a referral. I met with my doctor, who informed me that they do not offer HRT locally and referred me to a gender doctor who supposedly offers telehealth.

When I called that office, I was told:

They do not offer telehealth for this care.

The doctor is on an indefinite leave of absence.

I would have to wait at least 6 months and travel 2.5 hours each way for an appointment.

I decided to call multiple other endocrinology offices throughout the network. I found out that: These offices do have patients use telehealth/video calls for other conditions. HRT is already prescribed there for cisgender people. When I asked why I couldn't be seen locally, a staff member admitted they are already actively using video visits with providers from other locations in the network.

Another office claimed they don't do "hormone therapy" at all, yet admitted they manage pituitary and adrenal conditions that require those exact medications, claiming that gender care was "different."

Every other office I called said the same. When I asked if there was a single doctor in their entire network who provided gender care via telehealth, I was told there was not one.

Yet, on the network's website, they specifically promise "video visits" for gender-affirming care. Furthermore, when you search for a provider on their site for gender care, it lists doctors who do not actually provide it for trans people.

Has anyone else dealt with something similar?