Tricare-Humana

Has anyone been approved since November 1 by Tricare Humana. They don't seem to even know who a Bariatric Surgeon is are where one is located. I am in the process of appeal. Bobbie

Just sending a letter to my congresswoman...they denied me for lapband -I didn't request a lapband but a laproscopic RNY...they won't even talk about it - just tell you to appeal. LINDA

Dr. Chung in Lake Charles is in network with Tricare. He has done alot of Tricare patients from your area. His coordinator, Marcie, says that she has been able to get patients approved with Tricare since the changeover to Humana. They don't approve Lap Bands. They are approving Gastric Bypass, but only if performed using the open incision. She said that Tricare/Humana is meeting now to decide if they will approve the Laparoscopic approach due to the heavy amount of requests for such by Bariatric Surgeons. Tricare/Humana has said that they will have an answer very soon. In the meantime, call her and she can get you in the system and approved for open and then when they make the decision, you can have it changed to laparoscopic. Their website is www.obesitysurgeryla.com Their toll-free number is 1-888-LBS-AWAY. You should go to their website and get started by downloading the application to the program. You can also check out their patient comments on this website. Good Luck. Bryan

I called Dr. Chung's office and requested an opn rny and they said they did not do open rny. I have an appeal to answer. Also my pcp is going to send in another request for open rny. Tricare said they only approve open. I want an open. If my appeal does not work we are going to file with the state attorney generals office for fraud because their website shows that this is NOT and exclusion in the policy and if we have to get an attorney. Boy the defense department really screwed us up with Humana. Bobbie