Hi-

The day of my consult (9/12) the assistant asked if they had checked my cholesteral which I figured they had because they took a million vials of blood the day I had my labs done. For whatever reason, the 1st page of my results was missing.

So I called the clinic on base as soon as I left my consult appointment to make sure and surely the person who had faxed over the results had left out that first page. So I had her fax it over and I'm thinking now that when the WLSC faxed my paperwork to Tricare, page 1 of my labs was still missing. I probably should have called them to notify them of the error and what I had done to correct it but I guess I kinda figured that since it was friday, my packet to Tricare wouldn't go out until the following monday. I now believe I was wrong in assuming this because Tricare denied my surgery as of the 17th.

So this morning I went to the clinic on base to get a copy of page one for my own records. After reading it, I now know I also have high cholesteral soo I'm wondering if this page had been sent in what would my outcome be?

I re-read the Tricare letter and it says if I have any questions to call the number provided which is also the same number on the back of the Tricare card. I called and the lady said the ONLY thing she could tell me was to call the WLSC because they too would have a letter and if I felt I was denied wrongfully, I'm within my rights to appeal. Well DUH!!!

I do plan on appealling but it would help me out that much more if I knew the reasons I had been denied as the Tricare letter is very very general. It just states I didn't meet their requirements but I am 100+ over, my BMI is 40+ and my 2 co-morbs would be GERD and high cholersteral. I called the WLSC because technically I need to give up my surgery date of 10/24 which I plan on doing and I wanted to know if they had received this letter as well. Well of course, my appointed person isn't in just yet so I left her a voicemail.

I have been blessed by Vicki because she is helping me with my appeal paperwork but until I KNOW for sure why I was denied, I can't really go on to the next step. I've been told too many times that it could be a missing paper and I am thinking this is EXACTLY what happened to me.

As for surgery, I still am seeking to get it but have decided to wait until after the holidays. With Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas sooo close, we can not afford to shell out the $250 for surgery and still be able to afford the holidays. I'm thinking if I can get a date for January it will be all around better, I have plenty of time to file my appeal properly, I can enjoy one last set of holidays (spending wise) and I don't know, it just seems like it would be best all around.

Anyhow, I just needed to kinda update a little and maybe get some of my thoughts out to kinda clear my mind.

Vanessa