Informed Consent and Telehealth
What is informed consent?
Section titled “What is informed consent?”Informed consent ensures you understand all the information about a medical treatment and accept the risks involved.
Informed consent in the context of trans HRT means that the the effects of HRT (including risks and side effects) are explained to you by a medical professional. If you understand and acknowledge the effects and risks of HRT, you can choose to immediately begin HRT.
Under an informed consent model, an adult is able to start HRT very quickly (within days or weeks of the first appointment) after they agree to receiving HRT treatment.
What are telehealth services?
Section titled “What are telehealth services?”Telehealth services are ways to access medical care without having to physically go to a doctor’s office or clinic. They usually deliver care through mobile apps or websites.
Telehealth services are regulated medical companies that are run by medical professionals. Mostly found in America, there are several telehealth services catered towards trans healthcare, and will prescribe HRT to people under an informed consent model.
Affordable prescriptions (for USA residents):
Section titled “Affordable prescriptions (for USA residents):”If your preferred provider doesn’t cover the cost of medications, check out goodrx.com, a completely free, no strings attached way to get coupons for prescription drugs.
Cost Plus Drugs is also a good USA source for affordable, prescription medications that are shipped to you, with a doctor’s prescription.
These resources are only available to people in the USA.
Telehealth providers:
Section titled “Telehealth providers:”All of the following are legitimate, regulated Informed consent and telehealth services mostly for people in the USA, Europe/UK and Australia who want access to prescribed HRT by a medical professional.
Most of these services are only available to people who are above the age of 18 and are residing in the USA, Europe/UK, or Australia.
Unless stated otherwise, all of these resources serve both transfeminine and transmasculine patients:
International:
Section titled “International:”Erin’s Informed Consent Map — Locations in Australia, USA, Japan, Spain, UK, Puerto Rico
A community compiled resource that showing informed consent clinics across the world.
GenderGP.com — Available in most EU countries and in limited capacity outside of the EU
GenderGP is a virtual clinic service that serves people internationally, but is very popular in the UK and EU. You may have to check with them directly to see if they are able to provide care in your country if you live outside the UK, US, or EU.
Costs are £195 for the initial intake, and then £30 per month after.
GetPlume.co — Available in all states but SC, MS, HI. Some testosterone exceptions apply.
Plume offers a legitimate path to HRT through a telehealth model if you can afford $99 a month and live in the United States.
The service can be as low as $32/month if you have health insurance that they accept.
The cost does not include prescription fees.
GenderGP.com — Available in CA, NY, CO, IL, WA, NJ, MA, MN
GenderGP is a telehealth service serving trans people.
Costs of the service is $30/month and they take health insurance.
Costs of prescriptions not included.
FolxHealth.com — Available in all 50 states.
Folx is a telehealth service.
Initial appointment is $159, and then $79 for any necessary followup appointments, on top of a monthly $40 membership fee. They also take health insurance.
Medications may cost extra.
QueerMed.com — Available in all states except DC, HI, RI, AK
Queermed is a telehealth service serving trans people.
$99/month for the first year, then $159-319/visit afterwards as needed. They also take health insurance.
Costs of prescriptions not included.
QueerDoc.com — Only available in AK, CA, FL, HI, ID, MT, OR, UT, WA, WY
QueerDoc is a telehealth-based informed consent service.
Starting on a sliding scale from $300 intake and $200 for every 3-month follow-up appointment. Costs of prescriptions not included. They do take health insurance.
They also offer non-binary HRT services and will also help you navigate referrals to surgery.
TrueUClinic.com — Available in AK, AZ, CA, CO, ID, IL, IA, KS, KY, ME, MD, MA, MN, MT, NV, NH, NM, NY, OR, SC, TX, UT, VA, WA, WY
TrueUClinic is a telehealth service serving trans people.
Cost for the first intake appointment is $250, follow-up visits (every 3-6 months) is $180.
Costs of prescriptions not included.
Canada:
Section titled “Canada:”ForiaClinic.com — Available in Alberta and Ontario only
Foria Clinic is a telehealth service serving trans people in Alberta and Ontario.
Cost for Alberta is free as it is covered under provincial health insurance. Cost in Ontario is free in Northern Ontario only. In the rest of Ontario, it is $299CAD for the intial appointment, $199 for a followup in two weeks, then $99 for every followup as necessary.
Costs of prescriptions not included.
Europe / UK:
Section titled “Europe / UK:”GenderGP.com — Available in UK, EU
GenderGP is a virtual clinic service that serves people internationally, but is very popular in the UK and EU.
Costs are £195 for the initial intake, and then £30 per month after.
Anne.health — Available in UK, EU
Anne Health is a virtual clinic service that serves people in the UK and the EU.
Initial intake is £200, and costs between £50-£150 per month for their membership. Cost of medications are not included.
Imago.tg — Available in the EU
Imago is an informed consent and telehealth service that is available to EU residents. Pricing is €250 for an initial consultation, then €20/month after, with an additional €60 per visit on top. Costs do not include cost of prescriptions.
transactual.org.uk — Available in UK
This is a guide on obtaining a bridging prescription if you are in the UK. This means accessing prescribed HRT by a GP, while you are on a waitlist to see a gender dysphoria clinic. Many physicians may not offer this service, however.
These following clinics specifically cater to trans people and will offer bridging prescriptions to anyone who needs them:
- Bridge clinic for Southwark and Lambeth — Available to Southwark and Lambeth, London residents only
- WellBN — Available to Sussex residents only
The above clinics will need you to be registered to a GP in the respective region to access their clinic.