Since my needs will change now that I may persue a same sex relationship, I need to find a doctor who is well trained with gay men's sexual health. I've read it would be a good idea to get my HPV vaccine among others. I want to find someone who knows this stuff and can advocate my insurance company if they deny stuff. Plus it would be easier if I felt more comfortable disclosing. Anyone know how to find one.
Your existing doctor should be LGBT friendly if he/she is properly trained they should not give you any less a service if they are professional.
Even if they are professional and doesn't change their treatment of me, I would like someone who has the experience with bi/gay men so when they are advising me on let's say the HPV vaccine being approved for Men up to 45 they will actually know about it rather than some out of date info where I'm told I can only get it up until I'm 26.
I’m lucky, I’m in an area with a health clinic that specialized in the LGBTQ community (they’ve expanded and are open to everyone, but yeah, they get it about advocating for LGBTQ). Maybe there is such a place within driving distance for you? Insurance companies should follow federal rules about basics, such as vaccines. And you can read your information packet from your insurance company to get a sense of what is covered (mine updates information online, so I just do a web search). Doctors can figure out the appropriate diagnosis codes to submit with their billing, but Insurance rarely budges if something isn’t covered. I’m not sure insurance companies have to cover up to 45 yet for HPV. In my case I’m way beyond that age, so I knew I needed to pay out of pocket. I also have a specialist, not part of the clinic. I had questions specific to LGBTQ medical stuff. The Dr. took the time to do a web search right then and there, and is now ready to be fully informed for the next LGBTQ patient who comes along. That may happen for you too, that you need to be educated and your own best advocate to bring a Dr. up-to-date.
Like OTH said most major insurance companies will have a search filter, but I'm also a fan of just asking around. Do you like your doctor? if so why? For the last 20 years we've only had 2 family doctors (one retired) and both of them are gay. I guess it's not necessary but it's definitely a plus for us...
