Tricare

Tricare approved my surgery!  I am scheduled for July 8th, and I can't wait!  It took forever for the surgeon's office to put it in for approval, but when they finally did, it took less than an hour for them to approve it.  Months of worrying if they would approve me, if I would meet their weight requirements, etc.  I am so glad I went through it all, but it was terrifying thinking that it wouldn't go through. Loser bench, here I come!

Congrats.  Tricare is one of the easiest to get approved.  I started the process last August, was Approved by the first of December 2007, and had surgeryon on 12/28/07.  Tomorrow is my 6 month mark.

My first appointment with the surgeon was April 30.  I would have gotten my paperwork submitted sooner and had surgery a few weeks ago if they would have told me that their therapist didn't accept Tricare.  I had three weeks between my initial appointment and my consults, so I could have had my psych eval done here in the mean time.  I had to wait another three weeks for the psychiatrist to have an opening to fit me in to do the eval.  My only concern was that I wouldn't meet weight requirements, as I am on the "bubble" so to speak. Just glad that part is behind me.

Congratulations on your Tricare approval and upcoming. Tricare approved me for the initial consult which I have on Wednesday. I am terribly concerned they will deny me (even though I need it) because I too am on the bubble. I am 5'5, 239, w/ borderline diabetes, borderline hypertension, insulin resistance, pcos and possible but undiagnosed sleep apnea. I was wondering how your situation was and whether your weight was higher than the bottom AND top range of the metropolitan scale (they say thats required). I am if you put me as a small frame, but I'm like 3lbs shy of the top for medium framed... Any info would be appreciated.

Congratulations and Good Luck with your surgery .I have been denied twice by tricare I am 5'5"233lbs with Type II diabetes, they initially said I did not weigh enough (I needed to gain 10lbs) I am waiting on on approval from their 3rd level of appeal. 

Is 233 now enough, or do you need 10 lbs on top of that (ie 243)? I am 239.5 as of a couple weeks ago. I may be able to say 5'4 as I am a quarter inch shy of 5'5...

I'm sorry when I started this I weighed 219-222lbs. and I was denied twice because of my not being 100lbs over normal weight for my height, I have since gained 10 or more lbs.

Does 233 count for just small frame or medium too. I saw in the tricare form that you have to be as high as the bottom and top (not just middle) of the metropolitan scale so I was wondering how they arrived at your number. Based on the scale i see small is 120-133 (so 233 is dead on) but medium is 127-141 (where i would have to be 241). I will probably be counted as 5'5/medium build so I wanted to know what weight I was required to be so I can try avoid the appeal process. I would hate to be denied over 3lbs or less... Thanks for the help.

What I was told by Tricare is that I had to be 100lbs.  overweight to qualify and because I wasn't at the time I was denied.  I would do anything I can to make myself appear 3lbs. heavier, because I would hate to have anyone go threw what I am going threw.