Hey everyone! I'm 21, and pronouns are they/them. You can call me Jey. :)

I have been going back and forth for almost a year with my dcotor and several other social services and places trying to start my testosterone journey. It's been a huge hassle with many close calls and letdowns so I am pretty exhausted at this point. Finally my doctor has been given enough resources and secondary help to be comfortable prescribing me testosterone (as she has never had a trans patient before and was hesitant).

The issue: I will not be able to budget for gel ($80-$300/month[!]) because I am on Ontario Works. Injections are simply out of the question for me for several personal reasons, the main one being a severe needle phobia that I will NOT be able to get used to.

I have done preliminary tests like bloodwork, physical, etc. and they are all great! :) All I need is to find a covered form of T gel, and I do not know what that is. Finding this information is extremely difficult. My doctor cannot find it. It is not anywhere I can find online. Her pharmacist is going to contact me next week but I honestly don't know if he will be able to find the specific covered gel either. If he doesn't know,, I would like to bring the name to his attention during our appointment, if possible.

So, I have turned to Reddit. If anyone has any specific information about this "one formulation of topical testosterone" that is covered by OHIP, that would be greatly appreciated. (Source [image above]: https://lihc.on.ca/trans-health-care-hormone-therapy-masculinizing/)

I have checked testosterone coverage with Ontario Drug Benefit for all forms of testosterone but they all seem to be under Limited Use, which is why I am confused as to why some Reddit posts and this website says that one topical form is covered by OHIP and especially why I can't seem to find exactly what that is! 😭

Disclaimer: I do know about the Exceptional Access Form and I would be eligible for that due to recieving OW. That is my last resort. I would like to be on testosterone ASAP because I am frankly very messed up without it at this poin I am also not close enough to Toronto to be able to do anything there. I just want to know if anyone has gotten their T gel covered by OHIP and which specific brand/generic brand and dose they are on, if they are comfortable sharing.

Thanks so much in advance. I need my community so bad right now. 😭❤️ Any support or advice is appreciated!

Does anybody know which specific topical form of testosterone is covered by OHIP? [Hamilton]