Tri Care Approval???

Hi, I was wondering...I keep reading how tricare does not go by bmi...I am 5'2", weigh 226 and have high cholesteral, osteoarthritis, rhumitoid arthritis, fibromyalsia, to name a few...I am afraid I won't be approved due to the fact that I probably only have 100lbs to lose. Anyone else had this happen??? Cheri

Hi! I had the Tri-care handbook at one time and the EXACT wording was your BMI was over a certain amount OR you were 100 pounds overweight. My friend did not have a high enough BMI according to Tricare, but she was 100 pounds over weight. You also have co-exsisting conditions which makes it better for approval from Tricare. I was the exact opposite. I had no co-exsisting conditions, but I weighed over 300 pounds and I was approved. Good luck! Jennifer

If you check on down you will find Layla. She had a hard time because she is short. She had to fight, but has been approved. She didn't have comorbidities. She had quite a battle. I think you will be fine. Diana

Hello, I'm too 5'2 my starting weight was 227 and they paid for me. I had high bolod pressure and high cholesteral. So I don't see why they would'nt pay for yours. Good luck. Heidi

Hi - I had my surgery on 9/26 thru Tricare and also have been a Tricare rep for a few years. The requirement for coverage of Gastirc Bypass is a BMI over 35 with at least one comorbidity (high blood pressure, sleep apnea, etc.) or over 40 w/o comorbidities. They will require a consult from your primary care doc, a consult from your surgeon, a psych eval, EKG, CMP & CBC (blood work). The good part is they do not require 6 months of documented dieting =) If you have any questions, I'd be more than happy to help out.

I had to say hi and tell you that I liked your name Here are the requirements for TriCare and a web link at the bottom so you can look it up if you want. TRICARE covers gastric bypass, gastric stapling and gastroplasty 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 TRICARE does not cover: * Nonsurgical treatment of obesity, morbid obesity, dietary control or weight reduction * Biliopancreatic bypass, gastric bubble or balloon, or gastric wrapping or gastric banding for the treatment of morbid obesity http://www.tricare.mil/mybenefit/jsp/Medical/IsItCovered.do?kw=Gastric+Bypass