Hair removal for Transgender Care
Permanent Choice offers electrolysis and laser hair removal for clients seeking permanent hair removal for cosmetic and surgical purposes.
Electrolysis Vs. Laser Hair Removal
What is the right option for you?
Each client requires a different approach to removing unwanted hair based on the color of their hair, skin tone, density of hair, and medical history.
Electrolysis:
-Ideal for white, blonde, or red hairs
-Ideal for all skin tones
-Hairs must be 1/4 inch to treat
-Hair is destroyed by electrical current
-Requires 30+ treatments (dependent on density)
-Every hair treated separately
Laser Hair Removal:
-Ideal for brown and black hairs
-Hair must be darker than skin tone
-Hairs can be shaved to the skin
-Hair is destroyed with laser energy
-Requires 8-15 treatments (dependent on area)
-Several hairs treated at once
To meet with a technician and discuss your options, along with what treatment plan would work best for you, book a free consultation today.
Hair removal for the Face and Body
Our group of specialists are able to provide a custom treatment plan from laser hair removal targeting specific areas to electrolysis for precise results.
Laser hair removal services, covering facial and body hair, are available in all our locations and by all of our skilled technicians.
Additionally, electrolysis hair removal for facial hair is also available across all locations, performed by our experienced team.
*Currently we are not taking new electrolysis clients for the body.
Hair removal for Surgical Preparation
Whether Vaginoplasty or Phalloplasty our team of specialists is here to help you prepare for surgery by utilizing laser hair removal and/or electrolysis. Our specialist technicians are well-versed in surgical requirements and client needs, making your hair removal process easy and worry-free.
We recommend allowing at least 12-18 months for hair removal and often advise beginning hair removal around 6 months prior to your first surgery consultation. This allows ample time for hair removal before your surgery date.
Vaginoplasty:
There are many techniques for vaginoplasty procedures, you will need to either speak with your surgeon or research what area(s) need to be cleared and provide this information to your technician. Clients can opt to remove all hair in the pubic and genital areas or just the surgical prep areas.
*Vaginoplasty surgical preparation is considered a specialized service and therefore is not performed by all technicians in all locations. Please specify if you are preparing for surgery when booking your appointment to ensure you are booked with the appropriate technician.
*At this time we are not taking on any new electrolysis clients for vaginoplasty preparation, but are available to onboard new clients for the method of laser hair removal for the vaginoplasty surgery preparation.
Phalloplasty:
Once you've consulted with your surgeon to determine whether your arm or leg will serve as the donation site, our team can proceed with the appropriate treatment, whether it's laser hair removal or electrolysis. Phalloplasty preparation is performed by all technicians in every location.
We request that you please bring a diagram of the perimeter required by your surgeon to be removed for surgery, to keep in your file.
Medical Insurance:
Permanent hair removal is increasingly recognized as a medical necessity by insurance companies. Because of this, we encourage clients to contact their insurance companies to inquire if their plans include permanent hair removal for the face, body, or surgical prep areas. It's important to clarify what area(s) and what form of hair removal is covered by your insurance plan and what pre-authorization requirements are needed.
In-Network Insurance Submission:
Permanent Choice is in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota (BCBS-MN) as well as HealthPartners (HP), meaning if you are covered by BCBS-MN or HP and your individual plan includes hair removal, we can directly submit claims to your insurance.
*If you have not reached your deductible you will be responsible for the full cost at the time of treatment, which will count toward your annual deductible.
*Each insurance plan will require different documentation to qualify you for coverage. Please speak with your insurance company to learn what is required for you to qualify for coverage.
*Permanent Choice will require a copy of the front and back of your insurance card as well as a copy of your PA letter in order to process insurance submissions.
Out-of-Network Medical Reimbursement:
If you do not have BCBS-MN or HealthPartners but your insurance plan includes permanent hair removal you might be eligible for reimbursement. You will need to contact your insurance provider and inquire if medical reimbursement, also known as in-network benefit exemption, is allowed for your specific plan and what requirements you will need to qualify for this. If you are qualified for medical reimbursement you will be responsible for the full cost of the treatment at each appointment and will receive an insurance invoice which you can use to get reimbursed from your insurance company. Please request your insurance invoice at the end of each treatment.
Prior Authorization (PA):
Required by most insurance providers a Prior Authorization, also referred to as precertification, is a determination form made by your healthcare provider regarding the medical necessity of a healthcare service. A PA usually needs to be supported with an MD letter from your doctors or nurses stating the need for gender-affirming hair removal services. This letter can help speed up the process of getting claims approved which is an important aspect of the process. At this time Permanent Choice is not able to submit Prior Authorizations to out of network carriers. Please contact your healthcare provider if this is needed.
We advise beginning the approval process for a prior authorization before you start treatments to ensure your treatments are fully covered. In instances where a client's insurance policy covers gender-affirming hair removal, but claims get denied it is often a result of the absence of a PA on record.
Provide the following information to your provider when requesting a PA letter.
CPT: F64.9
Laser: 17999
Electrolysis: 17380
NPI: 1871165746
Fax: 9522067599
If you do not find the answers to any of your questions on this page, please call us at (952) 898-1111 and we would be happy to help answer any questions for you.
