Question:
Anyone have Tricare pay for TT, arm lift, body lift, breast lift, etc.?

   — Vicki S. (posted on July 29, 2003)

July 29, 2003
Hi I have Tricare Prime - I am one week out from hernia repair and tummy tuck. We lived in Hawaii and had my open RNY 4/12/02 - 101 pounds done at Tripler Army Hospital. Here in Connecticut they farm most everything out. Was SO disappointed in Yale University....but, that sent me searching for my Plastic Surgeon. He is Dr. Robert Cucin - accepted Tricare Prime - he is located on Central Park South - New York City. Can't get better than that!! I stayed at Cornell University from Tuesday till Friday (he wanted me to stay till Saturday). The tests, hospital stay and office visits all were covered by Tricare. I did get denied for the breast lift that I asked for. I am sure if I had enough for a reduction it would have been covered no problem. Just that I shrunk way to much in that place. Good luck and let me know how it works out. Lisa Jacob rny (4/12/02) - 240/140/?
   — Lisa J.

July 30, 2003
I have ChampVA insurance which is for Retired Military and they will NOT pay for anything even close to plastic surgery. I guess if you needed the hernia repair you could kind of sneak the tummy tuck in there... but I am having LAP so I may not get a hernia. I will probably be stuck with my tummy needing tucked and everything else needing tucked. (smile) I guess I better start saving now... Good luck in your quest for health care. These insurances are a trip!
   — Eleanore Davis

July 30, 2003
I have Tricare Prime/Retired and the same surgeon that did my RNY is going to do a panni. :) So, they DO pay for a TT or Panni, but I haven't come across anyone yet that has had anything else paid for. BUT, I read in the online handbook they pay for medically necessary reconstructive surgeries, just not cosmetic.
   — Diana L.