Question:
Has anyone gotten Tricare to approve the lap band procedure?

   — lncmccon (posted on January 17, 2008)

January 17, 2008
No, the response I had from TriCare was they would not cover lap band procedure due to all the different times the doctor had to go back in and adjust. They did pay for my gastric bypass.
   — ladonna08

January 17, 2008
I just had open RNY at Eisenhower Army Medical Center at Ft. Gordon (Augusta GA). There are 3 surgeons here that are doing the surgery. They also do lap RNY. At our support group meetings that meet once a month they have told us that Tricare does not cover the lap band. The surgeons also said, that within the next few months they are going to start offering the Lap Band here, but the patient is going to have to pay for the band itself (they said it is about $1000 -2000) but the surgery would be covered. They are doing 2 bypasses a week with 3 surgeons doing them here right now, and have a good support group and I didn't have to go through Tricare at all - it was all covered. My surgeon even said he would do my tummy tuck in 18 months !! (also no cost). This is considered a Bariatric specialty center for the military - I do think there are several others, but don't know where. Hope that helps!! Joannna
   — machre

January 17, 2008
The Lap band is now a covered proceedure that they cover just recently covered I think in Dec they started to approve I wish I waited a couple months this was the procedure I wanted but in Oct they did not cover also my surgeon did not recommend for me since my husband is active AGR and we are due to move in a year he let me know alot of other doctors will not handle you unless you had it done with them. but yes its covered call them they will give you the info...
   — tinluv27

January 18, 2008
I am posting an answer to my own question - sounds crazy, I know. But I talked to 2 Tricare reps today & they both said that YES Tricare is now approving the lap band procedure. This is very up-to-date info & even one of the Tricare reps didn't know about this yet. Call Tricare for more info.
   — lncmccon

January 18, 2008
I went to see my Dr. on Jan, 14th 2008. Tricare will began covering the lap band on February 1, 2008
   — lisa-b