LONG REVIEW, BUT WORTH THE READ.
***ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE TRANSGENDER AND/OR SOMEONE WHO STRUGGLES WITH THEIR MENTAL HEALTH SEVERELY, LIKE I DO.
After receiving another disappointing voicemail, I decided that was the last straw with OPSC, and they decided that for me as well. Fortunately. So, I waited 16 months to make this review in hopes OPSC staff would improve, but alas, no changes and I am stuck with this never-ending pain and uncomfortable sensations. I wish I had gone with another surgeon, and I would have, had I known I was going to be treated this way in the end. It has not been a very professional atmosphere from the get-go, but I gave them the benefit of the doubt because looks can be deceiving and we are only human. Which, in this case, I think might be the most ironic statement ever. I didn't know I settled for less, but I certainly hoped for better.
Thomas Meeks decided not to move forward with an appeal to correct his mistakes, go figure, I saw this coming. Now I can't be approved for a medically necessary procedure, because of her mistake. Her mistake was submitting an incomplete prior authorization form; because I am a transgender man, there are specific codes that need to be entered, with proper documentation to support it. In my case, I provide two letters, one from a licensed therapist and the other from a PCP. However, since prior authorization was submitted before collecting all documents, surgery was denied back in August.
In that voicemail from this morning, she went on to explain that she and a Provider One representative have gone back and forth on whether or not they received the faxed documents, and of course the answer was no each time. Come to find out it was never received because after the first initial denial, their (OPSC) ability to send anything thereafter did not process. One would have known that if they took the time to make the necessary calls, get some answers, and try to find a solution. It didn't take me long to make the calls, so there's really no excuse. Words cannot begin to describe the level of frustration I have with them and the pain that I now live with every single day. Yes there are other surgeons, but I can't get back lost time or parts of my body taken from me. I have a list of problems to show for it, and a lot more insecurities because of it.
I have been very vulnerable throughout this review, so please show a little respect and try not to judge. This situation has taken a huge toll on my body and my mental health. My chest looks botched! And the fact that Thomas Meeks did not see anything wrong with it; he seemed rather adamant actually, because he didn't think it would make much a difference if he went back to do a revision of his revision. Basically, what he said was, if it's what you want, then I will do it. I should've seen that as a red flag, because if a person truly cares for you and the results you wish to achieve, you do not agree to perform the surgery. Resources and referrals, that and a refusal would've been enough to keep me searching. Instead, he gave high hopes, delivered less, even took some extra - and now he won't even attempt this appeal so we can move forward. I was told he would see it through 'til the end and help me achieve the results I want and need, because he said he has experience with top surgery procedures - nothing to show for it though. This is a good lesson on why you should stick to what you know, and not treat transgender individuals like myself, as experiments in your career. And why people seeking care, should never settle for less because "you got a little impatient". It is not worth the end results, trust me. I am living this ugly nightmare.
To end this review, I want to share my awful experience with his nurse. She made a lot of passive comments during my time with them. At my final follow-up with Meeks, I called to ask that no one else be present, just he and I. That was not the plan his nurse had in mind when I arrived. She greeted me at the door to call me back, brought me to the exam room, closed the door and asked why I didn't want her in the room. Very blunt and while I can respect that, it made me uncomfortable. She told me, "It doesn't work that way, we work as a team here". It made me feel like I did not have the basic human right to my own space and comfortability, when I was the one getting undressed for this follow-up (only the shirt came off). Fast forward to now; I went in for a visit back in August of this year, and after Meeks left the room she said, "I didn't think he'd actually agree to that, he usually doesn't do stuff like this". I'm still shocked. I've already sent in a detailed email about my interaction with this staff member, I am just waiting to hear back.
If you've read this far, kudos to you! I hope this was able to help you in your decision, to choose another surgeon who will genuinely care about your needs. I'd highly recommend going to Seattle. The drive is worth it. read more