re: lap band

Has anyone been approved for Lap band with a civilian sugeon with tricare prime remote? I called tricare north and gave codes doctor gave me for the lap band and they told me the code given to them was a code that was cocered ??? was just wondering if any one else has had it done or if tricare may have given me wrong info?? I never get the same answer from them when I call...... If any one knows would appreciate it.... Thanks

I don't think tricare approves for lap band. You can go to www.mytricare.com and register with that site. Then they have a tab you can click on called AskUs and you can ask them anything. They usually get back to you in about a day or you can call them. Hope that helps.

Tina, No Tricare doesn't cover the LapBand. I was told it was still too experimental. Here is a link to Tricare North Prime Remote's handbook. http://www.humana-military.com/South/bene/TRICAREResources/handbooks/pdf/PrimeRemotehandbo ok.pdf Looking at the top of page 28 (under procedures with significant limitations). "Gastric Bypass: Gastric bypass, gastric stapling, and gastroplasty--to include vertical banded gastroplasty--is covered when one of the following conditions is met: ? A patient is 100 pounds or more over the ideal weight for height and body structure, and has one of these associated medical conditions: diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cholecystitis, narcolepsy, Pickwickian Syndrome (and other severe respiratory diseases), hypothalamic disorders, and severe arthritis of the weight-bearing joints. ? A patient is 200 percent or more of the ideal weight for height and body structure. An associated medical condition is not required for this category. ? A patient has had intestinal bypass or other surgery for obesity and, because of complications, requires a second surgery (a takedown)." Look under the exclusions on page 29, listed is "Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (Lap-Band procedure). Now, saying all that, I have seen some military dependants get the Lap-Band at a MTF that does them. Because Tricare doesn't approve the surgery at MTFs (the surgeon does), as long as the surgeon performs them you can get one. How to find out which MTF surgeon's do them, I can't help you there. Hopefully one of them will chime in here. Good luck with your WLS journey!! Andi

I have heard of people getting the band at Walter Reed the only problem is that once they get the band tricare WILL NOT pay for the fills