Did everyone here have (or going to have) their surgery covered by Tricare? When I read that they were finally covering the lap band procedure, i jumped on it! It was the easiest process I've ever had to go through with them. In fact, my surgeon's office told me tri care was the easiest insurance they've ever had to deal with. I had my procedure scheduled and done within around 6 weeks of my initial consult - psych and nutritionist appts included! :party:

I just got approved!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

<----------doing the happy dance

Yeah!!!!!!!!!!

Congratulations!!!

I was all set to be denied because the docs on base were horrid to me and I pretty much felt as if they WANTED me to get denied. My surgeon and his head nurse are AWESOME! It only took 2 days once they submitted the paperwork for me to get the call I was approved.

I'm glad for you. I noticed your BMI is under 40. Do you have comorbs? I was denied at 38BMI and I will resubmit since I pu on 20lb and now I'm on 40.8 BMI

Yep, I was approved in 3 days...I'm Tricare Pirme South as well and they are covering everything EXCEPT for my excercise exam, which is required. So I have to shell out $60 when I go on Monday for my pre op testing. Has any one else heard of this? I am having my surgery done with South West Bariatrics in Austin, TX.The patient advocate said that Tricare doesn't cover the exercise exam, so we have to pay out of pocket up front. No biggie when you consider the whole cost of everything, but still...I wasn't expecting it...you know? :thumbup:

I just submited my appeal today with lots of help from JWRN with my new weight of 245lb and 5'5". Wish me luck guys. I'm not really confident since I did not get my doctor to say I'm diabetic.

wohoooo jwrn!!! and good luck Karina.

My husband is retired AF and we are living in the area of WPAFB, OH. I am having the band done on base. My PCM approved the request and my first appt. is Oct 8th with the surgeon.:smile:

I'm glad for you. I noticed your BMI is under 40. Do you have comorbs? I was denied at 38BMI and I will resubmit since I pu on 20lb and now I'm on 40.8 BMI

I have PCOS with Insulin resistance. In the past I have been treated for high blood pressure and high cholesterol but not currently. I was pretty shocked to be approved because I thought you had to have 2 co-morbs? I don't know but I can't wait for this surgery and a change in my life!

I do have NOW high cholesterol and I'm pre diabetic it does not metter to Tricare). I had to "gain" 20lb to send my appeal, hopefully will wok, but since they are taking too long on my appeal (its being 8 days), I think it will be a big NO. When is the surgery again? Good luck.

I do have multiple Co-morb. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (CPAP machine), high blood pressure, which keeps going up, high cholesterol. My Cardio doctor said my BMI was 39.1 . I am having the surgery done on the military base, so I don't think Tricare has any say in this??? I do need to loose 100 pounds at least.