Ok so found out the 1st surgeon that I chose can only accept Tricare Prime not Tricare Standard. What do I have well you guessed it Tricare Standard. So I start looking for another Surgeon and found Dr Allen in Louisville. He not only accepts Tricare Standard he is a participating provider Woo Hoo Happy days. So I go ahead and schedule for a seminar with him tomorrow 2/21/08. I'm working on filling out all the paperwork you know call the insurance provider and that stuff answer all the questions. Well while doing the insurance part I was talking to the Tricare Rep and she tells me that all I have to do is fill out the paperwork and I will be prime again. Yippee!!!!!! Filled out the paperwork and as of 3/1/08 I am prime this means that I will have my surgery paid for 100% no copays or cost shares now the problem is after 6/30/08 I go back to Tricare Standard. Does anyone think I might be able to get a surgeon to get this done before my prime care runs out?? I hope so because it saves me tons and tons of cash. Wish me luck.

When you go for consultation (or call your doctor) and find out what you have to ohave done before surgery. Like get cardiac clearance, pulmonology clearance, psychological clearance and visit a nutirtionist. Get eyither your primary care physician or your surgeon to write you scripts for all of that stuff. - oh for my pulmonologist i needed at chest xray and a pulmonary function test before the actual visit - otherwise i would have had two visits - one to tell me to go get those things and one for them to review the PFT and x-ray before writing the clearance. ANYWAY, get all of that done ASAP, then all you have to do is have yor surgeon's office submit ot the insurance company and then wait for approval.

I hope this helps.

Thanks for the tips I really appreciate them alot. Hopefully I'll get this done and over with soon. I have my first all day appointment on 3/10/08