Question:
Anyone out there trying to get approved through Tricare?

To all of you-I went to my Tricare office on base today (thanks to those of you who suggested I do so!) and for those of you trying to get approved right now or in the future: Tricare does now require 5 years of documented obesity. Apparently, they've generally liked to have that all along but just didn't have a iron-clad policy stating it was needed. Now, if you're like me, you're thinking, "Dang it, who has their med records from years ago still?" (My hubby has only been active duty for 2 years and before that I was a teenager and can't remember my childhood doc for ANYTHING!) Don't fret, my Tricare WLS representative, Dan, told me that basically if you can be as accurate as possible and type out your weight/diet history (weight at beginning of said program, amount lost, what program actually was, amount regained, and the time frame you followed program) for at least 5 years and what medical records they DO have of you that can support any history of obesity will be enough. He also said that as far as the 6-month physician supervised diet-that the above will show that you have an extensive history of dieting and that it will be fine. He looked over all my info and said it looks like I have my act together (THANK YOU, THANK YOU all you Tricare patients that helped me out!) and that I should have no problem. He is one of the people that approves the surgery, so I'm feeling confident! Thanks again and if anyone has any Tricare questions, feel free to email me. [email protected]    — jenn_jenn (posted on August 6, 2003)

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