Voile! I'm approved and guess what

[Roustabout 0]

I'm retired military with Tricare insurance. In May I visited with the surgeon and he said they would send package to Tricare for approval. He said they would reply within 45 days.

I waited, then contacted the doctor's office after 45 days. Nada. They said they would contact Tricare and send the package again. :biggrin: I waited. This last Monday 27 July, 2008, I called the provider again, and they said they were still waiting. Then, I contacted the Tricare number the provider gave me and after being shifted from hither to there, it was concluded they didn't have any request from the provider. I got the fax number from them and called giving it to the provider's office. They then, for the third time, so they said, faxed it to Tricare. Two days later I called the right Tricare office and was told approved along with the authorization Number. Called the Doctor's office with that information.

I bought the Doctor's Protein Powder and started the pre-op diet two weeks ago, on a gamble. My surgery is Monday, August 4th. Tricare approved in three days. I could have had this surgery in May if I'd gotten involved immediately and not just expected things to go right. Hidden in this dietrite is a message I think.:thumbup::thumbup:

[Mommie_of_4 0]

It's sad to say but unless you get involved...things don't go as smoothly as it should!!

Congrats on your approval and surgery date!!

[Mamacj 0]

All I can say is AWESOME!!!!!! I am hoping for a Mid September surgery date, I had my initial visit today and am really excited. I will take the cue from you and keep in constant contact the doctor's office AND the insurance company! Can't wait to hear how you do with your surgery.

[KarenK 0]

I went to a band seminar a few weeks ago - the person running it said that she found Tricare very time consuming to deal with. Glad you got involved and got the results you needed.

[Jonnycat1 0]

I'm finding much the same issue. The waiting game. I'm finding that if I don't stay on top of the surgical group and all of the other related doctor's file and information gathering, this process could very easily go astray. I find it irritating, but at the same time, if I had to rely on anyone to do this for me, I could be two years out, rather than two months. I'm making it clear with the group I'm having the surgery done through that I have a short window of opportunity within the next two months that I need to fit this into and so far, it seems that they are being responsive. It seems that if I show the active interest that I have thus far, they will see that I am very serious about this and will push things through more readily. Of course, I'm still waiting on some things, but I guarantee you that I'll be on the phone on Tuesday if I don't hear anything from anyone tomorrow!