I'm in my 5th month of the supervised diet - all preop stuff done- just waiting for time to pass and was informed today (by chance!!) that Triwest will not cover the sleeve. I am in shock. I called Tricare and they confirmed this, but said maybe a different code would work? The CPT code given by my doctors office is 43775.

Has this happened to anyone else? I live in Alaska so going down to the lower 48 would be a challenge. And costly.

Go to Mexico I did almost two weeks ago. Dr. Guillermo Alvarez. It was fine no troubles.

It's cost prohibitive for me at this time

But I'd love to hear about your experience! How are you doing with everything?

I was told this also. I was not given another code to try because I hadn't started the process yet. I just figured I'd have to have the gastric bypass done instead. Anyone know why Tricare isn't covering it now?

Well my drs office says it will be a few months before they cover the sleeve. They think Bc Medicare covers it now, tricare will follow suit, but they are much slower about it. Next month I will be finished w my 6 month supervised diet, so they are going to submit for the sleeve anyway. I'm not counting on an approval.

I sure hope it works out for you. I can imagine how stressful it is waiting. : (

I have Tricare Reserve Select and was told today that they won't cover the sleeve. The insurance lady at Dr office said it may be 12 - 18 months before Tricare will approve the sleeve for coverage. Tricare will cover lapband or bypass with an out of pocket expense of $150. My 1st appointment is April 29th for consult, psych eval and nutritionist. I was hoping it may be approved during my 6 month diet but I've found out I only need to do 3 months.

I've read that people are getting it done at Military hospitals and clinics. I called a clinic 90 minutes away and they do it. I need to have my civilian doctor send a bariatric surgery referral and go from there.

I don't understand why Tricare won't approve it, but you can have it done at a military hospital.

I have tricare prime and I am having the sleeve surgery on the 24th. I was told it is corded because I am having it at a military hospital. If I were to go to a hospital off post, only the bypass would be covered.

Covered* sorry darn auto correct

Hi- thanks for all the responses. As luck should have it, my local MTF is starting to do bariatric surgeries next month. I have already met w the surgeon. :0). He will be doing the sleeve hopefully next month. I am finished w all my preop stuff so it's just a waiting game at the moment.

It won't seem real until I get a date though. :0)

Oh and curious, to those that had it done at an MTF, did your center require a 6 month supervised diet? Ours is (luckily I have already completed it), but new patients will have to have the 6 months first.

Mine did not. The only diet I have to do is a two week pre op liquid one. I started it yesterday.

Interesting!!

I realize this is an old post, but are there any new updates to triwest or uhc covering the sleeve? If so, do they still require the 6 month diet and any pointers to make sure I put myself in the best possible position to get approved?

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I realize this is an old post, but are there any new updates to triwest or uhc covering the sleeve? If so, do they still require the 6 month diet and any pointers to make sure I put myself in the best possible position to get approved?

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am curious too if there have been any updates. I have Tricare Reserve Select North Region and I know they cover they sleeve, I'm just curious if they require a 3 month or 6 month supervised diet or non at all. The website doesn't state any. I go next Wednesday for my first consultation with the surgeon and nutritionist. Hoping I will find out something then.

I'm on Reserve Select South and Tricare does cover the sleeve. I just got my approval today and am scheduled for surgery in March. I can have surgery at any point now but I'm waiting for spring break. I work for the school system and want to take advantage of the full week off lol.

They don't require a diet BUT they do require 6 months of weight evals and all the regular tests. I started the process in August, had my last visit in Dec and just got approved. The approval took about 4 days...the drs office took longer to submit everything but I'm calling them tomorrow to let them know I've gotten my approval letter.