Question:
Seeking Those With Tricare, RE: Coverage for Tummy Tucks

I HAVE BEEN READING AND ALOT OF PEOPLE ARE NEEDING TUMMY TUCKS AND I HAVE A BIG STOMACH NOW AND AFTER THE SURGERY I AM SURE I WILL HAVE EXTRA SKIN AS WELL SO I WAS JUST WONDERING IF TRICARE WILL PAY FOR A TUMMY TUCK IF NOT DOES ANYOONE HAVE SOUGGESTIONS I HAVE HEARD THAT EXCERCISE WILL NOT TIGHTEN THE SKIN JEN    — JENNIFER S. (posted on June 19, 2003)

June 19, 2003
I am pre-op, but I asked my tricare rep about TT and breast lifts, and she said if it is medically necessary, but I do not think they pay for TT, but for panni's, skin removal on tummy, the TT is so much more, has to do with muscles and all, the panni is just skin removal. So if you can show medical necessity have your pcp put in for it, I think they know that most people need these procedures after a large weight loss. Tricare Prime is such a fantastic insurance company.
   — cindy

June 19, 2003
Jennifer, This is hearsay, but I was told that there's a doctor on a military base in Texas who will perform TT for free-however, you must donate the skin for burn victims and other peopl ewho'd have a need for skin grafting-I say that's a pretty sweet deal for getting rid of the excess! As far as whether that's an urban myth or true remains to be seen...but it's worth checking into-I, for one, would much rather pay for the expense to fly to Texas and stay in a base hotel (altogether about $500-$800!) than pay for a TT. (thousands and thousands of dollars!)
   — jenn_jenn

June 19, 2003
the donating skin thing is an "urban myth". the amount and quality of the skin that would be "harvested" is not sufficient to make it cost effective. the skin used for burn victims etc is from cadavers....when that skin is harvested they can take all they want. peole donate their skin just as they do other "organs" for transplant upon theit death.
   — bjrfromwa