NEWCOMER; HELP!!!!

I have Tricare Prime and I have attended the seminar and I have also had my psych eval and sent in all my paperwork. My worries are that I already have my referral from tricare for my consult and it expires on June 6th, and I am afraid that I won't get my appointment in time before my referral letter expires. Does anyone have any experience in this matter? I am getting worried. My mind is working overtime. Thank you.

Layla i dont have the answer to your question but wanted to welcome you to the Mo. Board and say that im sure someone here will know more about which you speak. What Doctor are you trying to see for you consult. Hope that all works out for you that is quite a while till it expires so hopefully you will get done with that before then. Jan

Layla....Hi....And welcome to the board!!! You didn't mention what doctor you were going to try to see??? I am using Dr.Scott in Columbia and when I called to get my first appt I got one to see him like 3 weeks later. So if I were you I would call the doctor I plan on using first thing monday and get my appt!!!! I wouldn't think it would take all the way to June to get an appt with any of them....When you call I would explain the situation right off and I am sure they will get your appt set for as soon as possible... Please keep us informed on how things are going for you and when you get your appt. I am still a newbie but I have found this board to be caring, thoughtful and very informative! Looking forward to hearing from you again soon....Good Luck...Take care..Hugs....Tammy H.

HI Layla, Since you live in Windsor I am assuming you are stationed at Whiteman and that you will be seeing Dr. Hornbostel. When you call to make your appt. ask to speak with Deana she deals with all of the insurance. Tell her that your referral expires June 6th. She will know what needs to be done. I was able to get an appt. quickly and from there approval from Tricare for the surgery within a week. Even if it expires before your next appt. they will still take you psych eval. Mine was two years ago and tricare accepted it this past Jan when I got the tricare referal for the eval with Dr.H. Good Luck and keep in touch. Shawn

Thank you for your response. Yes, We are stationed at Whiteman and I am trying to see Dr. Hornbostel. The other day I called because I thought that I had all my stuff done and was trying to make my appointment and they told me that for one they hadn't received my form that they give at the seminar and also copies of my insurance card, so I re-faxed it. Then they said that I had to wait until I received a e-mail from they saying that they had all my stuff before i could call and make my appointment. They didn't say anything about that at the seminar and I'm pretty confused right now. And to tell you the truth the person i talked to was pretty rude and I didn't feel like I could ask them any questions. Do you know anything about the email before you can make your appointment? Thank you so much

Hi Layla, Welcome aboard. I went to High School in Windsor and now live in Sedalia. My surgery is about 18 hours away with Dr. Hornbostel !!!. Call and ask specifically for Dena or go to the website in your info from the seminar and e-mail her. She is usually very quick to respond. Are you doing the psych eval off base? If so check with the group "Mefford,Vaugniaux & Associates" 121 E Broadway, Sedalia, Missouri 65301, phone # 660-826-2380.I used them for mine and they were quick and painless. Check to see if they use Tri-care and go from there. Tell them when your referral expires. They are usually easy to work with. Yes they will be the ones to call you and set up the consult dates and after consult they will call with the surgery date. I had all my referalls done before my seminar in November, Had my consult January 3, and surgery is tomorrow April 2. So it it usually a long process. Sometimes shorter for some than others. Take care and best of luck. Julia

Lala....Sorry about all the confusion.....Yes they do require that they recieve all your paper work and copy of you insurance card before they make the appt. But if you faxed it to them then it should not be long before you get the email saying you can make an appt....If you don't hear from them in a week or so call back and ask if you can check on the status of your paper work. Im sorry you got a hold of someone rude, usually they are all pretty nice........The amount of time it takes for each thing depends on the doctor your seeing and his avalibity....What all you have to have done....If you have to loose some weight before surgery and etc.....But if there is no complications with your insurance and you stay on top of what you need to have done then things will go faster. Just hang in there.....things will start moving for you soon.....I know how anxious it can make you.....I am about half way done with my stuff and I can't wait to get it done and finally hear them say a date I will be having my surgery...... Keep dropping in and posting and letting us know how things are going.....Good Luck...God Bless.....Hugs....Tammy H.

Thank you all for your kind words, I feel much better knowing something about this process. Thank you so much!!!!!!!!