Question:
What do I need to provide for Tri-Care Prime

Is there anything that I can do to help the process to go any faster,ie..take pictures, write a letter, or is all that taken care of at the Dr?    — [Anonymous] (posted on November 13, 2001)

November 13, 2001
I have TriCare Prime and had no problem getting approval and it was really quick. I don't think you really should have to do anything to speed it up. Tricare is usually really quick. I went and saw a military dr and told him that I wanted the surgery and he looked at my medical records and labs and called tricare and they gave me a referral to a civilian surgeon in about 2 days. I saw the dr and he submitted my paperwork for approval for surgery and recieved an approval in about 4 hours. The military base in my area does not do wls, so they referred me out. I am having surgery December 5th. Good luck!
   — Darla Y.

November 13, 2001
Hi, I have tricare prime. Went to military dr and they referred me to a civilian dr on out side. I checked my military record out and wrote down my diet history through the military and when I had my consult with civ. Dr. I had some history for her to go on, was approved in 6 weeks.
   — jenny1953

November 13, 2001
Hello: I too have Tricare Prime. If you're in a location that offers WLS at a military hospital then they prefer you have it done there. If not, they'll give you a referral to have it done elsewhere. I traveled from Aviano, Italy to San Antonio, Texas to have WLS. It's the best thing I have ever done. I am now 5 months post-op and down 88 pounds. Good luck and feel free to email me with any questions or concerns. Ciao, Victoria in Italy :)
   — perezrdh

November 13, 2001
Tricare Prime here, too..... :) There is not too much you can do to get them moving any faster. As long as you have a bmi of 40 plus, you shouldn't have any probs. Just keep calling them and talk to the same person each time you call. That helped me when I needed to call. I am 3 months post op lap rny and am down 70lbs and 68 inches.(Thats 4 whole pants sizes too LOL) I wish you the best of luck!!
   — ncgal