Tricare hates me.

My doctor sent in a second referral requesting UNC and listed the following reasons.
1- Consistency in care 

2- Existing care provided at UNC ( I go there for my Arthritis)

3- Proximity to my home and work ( I work 10 minutes from UNC and 2 HOURS from Womack)

4- I have started the process at UNC and have a relationship with the surgeon and staff.

(not in those exact words of course)

24 hours later Tricare faxed back the letter with "REFERRED TO WOMACK" Written across it...

not professional first off... but it seems as if they don't want to hear anything more about it.

(sigh)

Any thoughts? Do I unleash my wrath   or figure all things happen for a reason and go with the flow?

The one consistent thing is that Tricare did not decline my referral for surgery- so there is my "silver lining"

I appreciate you all- thanks!

Hi Kim,

I'm so very sorry for your palpable dissappointment. While I agree that it would be 'easier' to go through UNC, I do believe that they have an excellent and very competent program at Womack. If you haven't 'talked' with Deb_M yet, please do. She honestly had the same reservations you did when she was initially referred to their program, but has experienced excellent care through them and to say that she is satisfied is an understatement. You might want to 'visit' her profile and do some research on Womack. I think that you will be pleasantly surprised.

Wishing you all the best as you find the 'right' solution for you.

Barb

Rats!!  They can be stubborn can't they!!  I know that you really want to got to UNC but sometimes we have to look at another direction to get to the same end results.  I think Barb made some good arguments.  I personally can't say anything about Womack as the only time I went there they refused to fill a perscription from an civilian doctor because I would not pay them $400 to "join".  My husband served 24 years in the Navy, hello I thought I had "Paid in Full" LOL!!  I don't go there for medical. I pay $60 for a tricare supplement through ASI.  So I go where I darn well please, no referrals needed! I pay my $150.00 deductible every year and they pick up te 20% that Tricae doesn't.  I pay a deductible on medication at a civilian pharmacy (Rite Aid) and get a print out every year they ASI sends me a reimbursement check!  It works for me!!   Their Phone number is 800-636-2610.  Oh by the way my employer paid the premiums and it save both of us.  I am self pay now that I am a Realtor!! 

Good luck,

That goes along with what one of the bariatric surgeons told us like a month or so ago when someone asked about tricare not paying for the surgery.  What was told to us was that tricare will not approve anyone to go off post for the surgery because of the bariatric program at Womack.  I know it will be a pain to do the driving and all, but I can say that I like the program they have us going through here.  Hopefully, you can meet up with others who come down from Raleigh to at least be able to carpool to the support group and educational meetings.

Kim,  I think I've told you before that I had every intention of going through Mission hospital in Asheville when I began looking into bariatric surgery.  However, I found out that they were not in-network.  I was so disappointed that I was going to have to drive over an hour to get to the in-network center/hospital in Hickory (it's an hour and a half from my hubby's employer, which he drives from on support group nights, etc.).  But, I decided to make the best of it.  If that's what it took to get the surgery in-network, then that's what I was going to do!  Ends up, I absolutely LOVE the weight-loss group and the surgical group in Hickoy.  I hear awesome things about the hospital as well.  The trips don't add up to that many if I don't include the support group and I could probably opt to attend only a local one instead of making the drive down to theirs.  We've been offering to meet and take anyone who wants to go with us to the Hickory support groups, so do look into the possibility of carpooling.  My hopes are that you end up loving the program at Womack and get through it quickly! 

Thank you all for those who tool the time to reply- I know that none of you can give me the answers, but it is so reassuring to hear words from those *****ally understand.

THank you Thank you.....

Sorry to hear you are having problems. I have Tricare Prime and had no problems at all getting everything approved. I did have to go to Greenville but thats where my surgeon was and it is a hour and a half drive. But your hubby if he is active duty can get orders cut to the hospital and get money for a hotel and per diem for food everyday PLUS mileage every time you have to go to Womack you will be paid for mileage as long as your hubby files a travel claim and you have some sort of paperwork (note from dr office is what I get) Best of luck to you!!

I'm glad that you're still able to see the silver lining - in that Tricare has not declined the surgery!  That definitely is the main goal here.

I can understand that you are frustrated with this situation and it does make sense to me that you'd like to remain at UNC for continuity of care, but if it's Womack or nothing, then I think it will be well worth your while to give Womack a chance.  Going to the intake meeting, training classes, and support groups will start the process.  If at any point you are uncomfortable...you can back out.  But, I'm willing to bet that the closer you get to completing their process, the better you'll feel about their program.

Seriously...I've read a lot of posts from people who wish their programs had more education, more support, etc.  I consider myself lucky that I fell into the program at Womack, because I really think they have it covered pretty well.  That said, no-one is ever perfect, there is ALWAYS room for improvement and they realize that and are constantly looking for suggestions/ideas for improvements.

If you're interested, check out my profile and you might get a better idea of the Womack experience.  :)  Also, feel free to PM me.  Maybe we can get together and talk about any specific questions, concerns, etc.  If nothing else, let me know if/when you decide to head down this way for an appointment or meeting...maybe we could get together then.

Unfortunately, I had to delete this post due to privacy concerns.