civilian provider - tricare prime

I went to PNH today for an orientation. They really have an awesome program. My problem though is the wait. My husband is up for orders in November. If I stay on their waiting list I am in fear of having to start this process all over somewhere else and end up further down another list. So, I called tricare. I was told that you don't have to switch over to standard. All you have to do is have your PCM put in a referral for a civilian surgeon. The key words were "All you have to do", like its that easy for all. I am going on Monday to see if she will do this for me. I hope she does because two years ago I completed everything and was denied for not having any medical problems. Now, two years later, I have several medical problems including PCOS and High Choles. and I am 10 pds heavier then I was then. My fingers are crossed.

Yep - all you have to do is have your PCM do the referral for a civilian surgeon. However, Portsmouth has to say that they do not have the ability to perform the surgery and they won't do that. I went Standard specifically for that reason. Went to the seminar in Aug and had my surgery in Oct. And for me, my bills came in under $300.00 out of pocket, so as far as I am concerned, it was worth it. But, good luck to ya! Jill 263/202/145

I was told the same thing by Tricare and went to my PCM for the referal. Guess what happened, PNH said they would not, because of a direct order from the admiral, refer anyone out of their bariatric program. So I too had to switch to standard. I even went to the hospital director and tried to get a referal out because of the excessive wait time and was denied again. If you switch now though, you should have time to have surgery done before November. I wish you the best of luck! Gotta love tricare loopholes . Liz --RNY 12-28-05, down 35 lbs.

Hi, My experience is the same as above. I also couldn't be referred out in this region out of PNH and switched to standard and had my consult late October and surgery Jan 12. Good luck, I hope it all works out for you. Debbie

Im going on Monday to talk to a doc at my MTF about having the LapBand and Im extremely nervous Dr. Reyes (Boone Clinic at Little Creek) will just tell me "No, You don't need it." I stand 4'11.5" and weigh 240 lbs, my BMI is 46.8. I have had stress incontinence (how embarrassing!) for over 5 years, and now I have aching and stiff joints and wake often due to being so uncomfortable while sleeping. RIght now my right shoulder hurts from sleeping on it (grrr). I want to get help now before I have something more serious (though I wouldnt be surprised to find Im pre-diabetic). How long is the waiting list? We rotate out in 15 months -although hubby did say he would consider taking a ship at Norfolk so we could stay put if I was approved for this surgery. Is the wait the same for all WLS patients or possible dependent on the procedure? We have Tricare Prime.

Me to, I called the Bariatric at portsmouth and the gal that answered the phone told me to switch to standard. Which I did and in Oct I went to the siminar and on Jan 31st. I had my surgery. I think you are going to have to switch over.

I don't know if this helps but Walter Reed does lapband and lap RNY. I found out in Aug had my surgery in Nov