Tricare Prime and DS?

Has anyone been able to get Tricare Prime to pay for a DS recently?  I have a BMI of 38 with co-morbidities of heart attack, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, high blood pressure, emphysema, etc.  They're balking about the DS and have suspended the application processing.  Please help!!!

I too am trying to find out if anyone has succesfully  had Tricare Prime pay for DS. My BMI is over 50. But I have had Gastric Bypass (failed) DS seems to be my last chance. I had almost no problems getting the bypass, (done at Fort Gordon, GA.) But now I am told they will not do DS no matter what. And Revision .......thier idea is to undo the bypass.  I just want to know if they have made exceptions ever and what the conditions to the exception was.

Here is the current (as of Feb 08) policy:

Gastric Bypass

TRICARE covers gastric bypass, gastric stapling and gastroplasty to include vertical banded gastroplasty and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (Lap-Band surgery) is covered only when the beneficiary meets one of the following conditions:

• Is 100 pounds over ideal weight for height and bone structure and has one of these associated conditions: diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cholecystitis, narcolepsy, Pickwickian syndrome, hypothalamic disorders or severe arthritis of the weight-bearing joints
• Is 200 percent or more over ideal weight for height and bone structure
• Has had intestinal bypass or other surgery for obesity and because of complications, requires another surgery (takedown)

TRICARE does not cover:

• Nonsurgical treatment of obesity, morbid obesity, dietary control or weight reduction
• Biliopancreatic bypass, gastric bubble or balloon for the treatment of morbid obesity

I have not heard of them making any exceptions at all.  Sorry :( Kari