Question:
Does Tricare cover this procedure?

I have Cigna PPO as primary insurance and Tricare as my secondary (retired USCG) and am interested if Tricare will cover co-pay and other costs not picked up by primary insurance.    — jaaxo (posted on October 16, 2002)

October 16, 2002
I have Tricare as my primary insurance and they do pay for the procedure. They have certain criteria like all insurances. I would call them and ask-phone number on back of your card. Check your policy book or search there web site www.triwest.com- Good luck.
   — Jan S.

October 16, 2002
Check out the "Insurers" section at the top of this page. I know Tricare is in there and you can read others experiences. It really helped me with my UHC insurance. The doctor that is doing my surgery in Wichita Falls, Texas, I've noticed, gets approval through Tricare bunches. In fact, most of his patients are Tricare patients. Hope it helps. :)
   — Lindi R.

October 16, 2002
I have Tricare Prime and my total out of pocket for open RNY was $67.00. Not too shabby... You do have to meet the criteria.
   — Janelle G.

October 16, 2002
Tricare will only pay up to the allowable amount. If your primary insurance pays more than Tricare allows, then Tricare will not pay anymore. If your primary pays less than Tricare, then Tricare will pay up to the allowable. The allowable amounts are set by the Dept of Defense and are based on Medicare rates. The region I work in does not require pre-auth from Tricare if they are secondary.
   — karen B.

October 16, 2002
It's me again. Go to your nearest Tricare Service Center and sit down and talk with a Benefit Service Representative. They will explain your Tricare benefits to you and make sure you understand how it works as a secondary. If you are far away from a TSC, you can call the 1-800# on the back of your card. I just find it is easier to understand everything face-to-face instead of over a telephone. Wish my own insurance had a way to talk to someone face to face instead of by phone.
   — karen B.

October 19, 2002
Tricare does cover the procedure, but make sure you get all your ducks in a row beforehand. Call them to see what you need to do. Good luck!
   — Anne R.