As an active duty spouse having delt with Tricare and military hospitals for 7 years now I know that getting anything done that is not absolutly life and death through tricare insurance is like jumping through hoops of fire, backward, while twirling batons in both hands. If anyone has any information about being banded through Tricare I would be soooooo appreciative!

I'm in San Diego and have Tricare Prime. I was referred out to a civilian in March.

Since then, I and another lady I know both have been denied for the Lapband due to it not being proven and there being a comparable procedure.

Since then, the other lady has decided to go with the bypass and will be having her surgery in the next 2 weeks. I, on the other hand, have decided to stay and fight my denial.

Between Inamed, myself, and my surgeons office we are trying to put up a good fight.

I know they recieved my appeal 2 weeks ago and have confirmation of that, but I am still waiting for their decision.

I have searched message boards, yahoo groups, and anything else I can find to see if anyone has been approved for the Lapband in 2005 but have not come across one person. Tricare was covering it in 03 and 04, but stopped. Just like they covered laproscopic, then stopped, but now is covering again. They can't make up their mind.

Please feel free to email me and ask me any questions. Us Tricare people need to stick together and keep each other informed on any progress one makes.

Good luck.

Hi - I'm in Southwest Florida and I have Tricare Prime (Remote). I had my lapband last week. I was told by Tricare today that even though they won't cover the actual lapband itself (they consider it experimental) they will cover incidentals like: anesthesia, pain killers, ekg, blood tests, etc. I had to intially pay out of pocket and now am trying to get reimbursed. I'm now sending in claims for all that I've paid and keeping my fingers crossed.

Wow !!!!!

This is definetely a break through.

I'm assuming that you have Tricare Prime which is military. Correct?

So did you have your Lapband put on at the military hosp. or were you referred out to a civilian?

I'm itching to find out more info.

How long was your process, because I've in my appeal process for a few months still.

Thanks for any info you can provide us.