Tricare denied my pani

I'm annoyed. I had gotten my hopes up that Tricare would cover the Pani portion of my surgery due to disc degeneration. I guess they don't think the amount of skin I have hanging should affect my back (and boy are they wrong!!).

Anyways, I wanted to know if anyone else has gone through similar cir****tances and if there was anything you could do to get them to change their mind. Unfortunately, Ft. Riley doesn;t have a plastic surgeon, otherwise I think I could've had the surgery.

Thanks for any help you may give me!!

Sorry to hear this. I can understand your frustration as I was denied as well. It stated that it did not hinder my daily activity. Here's to hoping my car doesn't need replaced soon!

I tried 3 times, just struck out is all. I know you get your hopes up then come crashing down. I personally haven't read of anybody that have successfully appealed there decision and had it approved. If you have time on your side and can handle the mental anguish try and appeal it. I had one more appeal left but I would have had to do all the legwork at that point and gave up and just paid for it.

Good luck
Bubba

 The woman across the street from me had Tricare pay for hers but it reached to her knees so there was no denying that it affected her daily life.  My surgeon (military) said they tend to only cover it for extreme cases (like hers) or when you are super diligent in going in for every rash/infection you have.  I will say that here at Bethesda the PS doesn't give you any deals you pay just the same as if you were a civilian.  So, if Tricare doesn't end up covering me when I'm done, I'm probably just going to have to go to Mexico.

I appreciate everyones responses. 

It seems like every time I turn around someone is saying Tricare covered this for someone they know or Tricare pays for blah, blah, blah.   My PS said when he met me that he very rarely has insurance of any kind cover this kind of surgery.  I think it's funny that insurance doesn't cover it--especially when someone loses over 100 pounds, because you know there's going to be skin hanging somewhere!

I'm just planning on biting the bullet and self pay in January.  I knew it was a long shot to get Tricare to cover anything, but I didn't think it would hurt to try.  Oh well.

Again, thanks for your replies!

 Hello i have tried 3 times before this is my 4 attempt with tricare! I had to do physical therapy, meds, and all that mombo jumob! it is frustration, to know they pay for the surgery but  not the after affects! This last time im actually optimistic i have a hernia where my open bypass was performed and my plastic surgeon said this makes it even better to get the panni done.So heres to hopeing. I really hope u appeal cause that might help u out! Goodluck