Can anyone tell me what exactly has to be in the letter from my PCP for Tricare? I assume they require one, so I made an appt for Monday. BMI is 40.2, I am 100 lbs over ideal weight, my only documented comorbid is arthritis...but if i need a sleep study i will...i know i have apnea. I have NUMEROUS documented, medicaly supervised attempts of weight loss over the years. successful completion of esophagram and nutritionist today. psych eval before my pcp appt monday.

For some reason...though i really don't know... i think my doc is kind of conservative. he is very kind, our boys go to school together, and we have discussed my weight several times. Just wondering what I need to ask him to write.?.?:biggrin:

any input would be wonderful!! Thanks!

I have tricare standard and my pcp didn't have anything to do with my band...except to say he thought it was a good idea and giving me a pamphlet for a center that was not covered by tricare!

Thanks Restless... you've helped me a few times now and I really appreciate it!!!!! :biggrin:

Sure! I'm happy to get to help! Tricare requires a "Center of Excellence" surgery (I'm sure that's true for Prime AND Standard) so you want to make sure your doc is affiliated with that accreditation!

took your advice and just checked. YES he is a "Center of Excellence" whew!

I'm sure now you're anxious for it to be Monday. Good luck! :biggrin:

My surgeon requires the letter from the PCP regardless of the insurance requirements. I have a very conservative PCP, but he was glad to write the letter (actually the office manager wrote it and he signed it). They have done it before, and they knew what needed to be included. I didn't have to tell them what to write.

My PCM had to write a letter but it wasn't sent to the surgeon. I was sent to Tricare. I had to get approval from them before I could see the surgeon. Most likely because he was an off post surgeon. I am guessing. But the letter my PCM wrote and sent to Tricare must have said the right things because it got approved the next day. Now I am waiting for the surgeon's office to send my paperwork to Tricare. Jennifer

My PCM had to write a letter but it wasn't sent to the surgeon. I was sent to Tricare. I had to get approval from them before I could see the surgeon. Most likely because he was an off post surgeon. I am guessing. But the letter my PCM wrote and sent to Tricare must have said the right things because it got approved the next day. Now I am waiting for the surgeon's office to send my paperwork to Tricare. Jennifer

Congrats Jennifer! I bet you are really excited about finally pushing along the process! Keep us updated on how it goes?

I just had to have a referral from my PCP before visiting the surgeon. It's crazy how different all the requirements are.

It sounds as though you are well on your way, so congrats to you! Good luck!

I doubt my PCP wrote a letter. I went to her and told her I wanted to see a dr regarding the lapband and she said what is that?!?! A little scary if you ask me! Anyway, she just had to submit a referral for me to see my lapband dr. I should mention ALL of doctors are off post. Also, the first Dr. Tricare referred me to did not offer lapband, only bypass, so make sure before you waste your time that the Dr. Tricare refers you to does lapband. Once I started seeing the lapband Dr., all referrals came from him. Except sleep apnea. I did have to go back to my PCP for that. She was rather difficult, but she reluctantly gave me the referral. And now, here I am with a surgery date of 6/17! YEAH!!!