Hi guys!!!

Any of you here that used tricare prime for gastric surgery???? I am wanting the sleeve. I told my doctor I wanted a referral to see a surgeon. She said she is putting one in for me. I see the status says "pending" can someone tell me their experience? Is this an authorization JUST TO SEE him? and then I meet with the surgeon and THEY send in approval for surgery???? What comes first? Approval for surgery or surgeons requirements?? I am soooo confused because my PCM did not say much. I am seen off base but I am still prime. My clinic was full. Also, how long did it take from the original consult to surgery date for you guys?

I have searched this website and a lot of others about Tricare. I have my appointment for BAMC's Bariatric Clinic here in TX and its a self referral so I didn't need to go to my PCM for a referral. But from what I gather once you get the referral from Tricare it will allow you to see the doctor, but its not the approval for the surgery because the doctor has to make sure you're a candidate for the surgery. Tricare has a lot of rules you have to meet before they will approve the surgery. So if you have a military base that does the surgery near you it would be best to go with them since they don't have to follow the Tricare guide lines to the T and its an easier approval. The guide lines are mostly for civilian doctors is what the Tricare Rep told me when I called. Good Luck!

Edited April 4, 20197 yr by MeowAMR

It’s just a referral tobsee the surgeon. They will be the ones to talk to you and approve.

I had no problems. I got a referral from my pcm. I had to see a nutritionist, psychiatrist & then surgeon. When I saw the surgeon, he approved & said he could do the surgery the following Monday. Did 1 wk liquid diet then surgery. I had the sleeve done. It all went so fast, took about 2 months.