Well, here I am waiting impatiently for my referral to be processed by Tricare. So, I call them today to see how things were going and if they could tell me who the Doctor was. I just became so down in the dumps I wasn't sure what I am going to do. I live in Waukegan Illinois, and the doctor they are referring me to is in Milwaukee Wisconsin. Now here is the issue, it is 53 miles one way. What in the blue blazes are these people thinking!!!!!! I mean we are talking about a major surgery with a 1-2 hour drive depending on traffic. What happens regarding follow up care? I mean I would end up losing a whole days worth of work. It is mandatory for me to go to some seminar, and they are on a Wednesday at 6pm, I can't leave my 12 year old alone (I don't have family or friends to help) at home. It would require me taking time off with out pay, because I need to save the weeks vacation time for the surgery. My husband does not get any paid time off. Now, I just say a post a moment ago where she says that Tricare will not pay for certain items and it is $XXXX out her pocket. I don't have that kind of money either, and the Navy Hospital at Great Lakes does not do this procedure. So I will pose this to all of you on how to handle the distance thing? I wouldn't be able to use any of their services easily as they are so far away. Sorry, this is long but I am at a stage of trying to figure out what to do.

That's.....crazy! Is it a civilian surgeon that you had gone to then? Something doesn't sound right. I'd be on the phone with Tricare to see what the heck was going on. I wonder if the girl in finance had gotten your tricare programs confused?

I do have Tricare Prime. That is why I was surprised and disapointed. So I am going to get on the phone with Balboa tomorrow to see if they do lap bands (I am hoping since Walter Reed does too) We are probably going to go to Camp Pendleton, I just dont know when.

(((HUGS)))) Yeah, Tricare wouldn't cover my program fees ($750) either. But they have covered all my labs and my psych. eval. I didn't need a spirometer, I'd call Tricare and see about that one. As long as you have your psych eval with an in-network doctor, it will be covered. You don't need a referal for the first visit (Tricare treats behavior health consults different then other consults), but if you are required to have additional visits, your psych doc will have to put in a referal for you to see them those additional times. The labs/bloodwork; mine is done in the hospital my program is located in. This is a Tricare excepted facility, so maybe that makes a difference? But I don't see why yours wouldn't be covered either. If all else fails take a bloodwork order to your PCP and have him send a copy to your surgeon. That way it will be paid. I'd call Tricare and see what they say. Even if you just found out, by Tricare, which procedure codes your surgeon would need to submit to Tricare, it could save you some money. HTH Andi

I went and waited in the waiting room for 1 1/2 hours and then talked to the financial lady and she said Tricare will cover everything but $2002.00! Enrollment fee $500.00 Psychological Eval $400.00 Blood Draw $42.00 Spirometer $60.00 All Inclusive 3 year Support Program (remaining balance) $1000.00 Is this right??? I am so disapointed. I dont have $2002.00.