Question:
tummy tuck/body lift

I am retired spouse (NAVY) and i already had the main surgery paid for by TriCare. Now i am ready to undergo the tummy tuck/body lift part, i have lost about 130'lbs and you all probably have a good idea of my excess stomach and upper thigh skin. Well, I HAVE BEEN DENIED! Any suggestions, my surgeon took pics and submitted them already and Tricare told the nurse at my doctors office that she is going to initially deny it and it will have to go up and possibly be denied again (probably)...anyone else have this happen and if so what can i do to get it approved. thanks, Melissa my work email: [email protected]    — Melissa A. (posted on December 26, 2002)

May 2, 2004
Hi, I too have tric are (prime) although that's my secondary ins. Medicare is my primary. (auto accident with neck/shoulder injuries). I've lost 135 libs, and I need a Panni. I got a ref for a PS but when I called for an appt, I was told medicare won't cover it and since they won't neither will tri care. Have you gottwn anywhere with tri care? Email me if you wish at [email protected]
   — M H.

May 2, 2004
i have tricare prime too. i'm 6 weeks post-op tt and inner thigh lift. tricare paid for it all. with tricare it really doesn't matter how bad the skin hangs...only that is causes some kind of problem(rashes, boils,skin tears, back aches ect...) i went to the doctor every time i had something wrong with my skin and because of the documentation that is how it was approved. you can go the the tricare website and find out all the info you need. do not depend on getting an anwer from someone from tricare because all they will tell you is that is must be medically nessasary. www.tricare.org look up plastic reconstructive surgery or obesity. i printed out the page i needed from the tricare website and took it to the doctors office with me(both military doctor and civilian doctor). that way i knew it would be worded correctly.
   — franbvan