Question:
IL am a military dependant. Has anyone had this surgery done on a military base and o
or gotten Tricare to pay for it off post? — Marie F. (posted on March 8, 2002)
March 8, 2002
Tricare paid for mine. I had my deductible (I don't do tricare prime by
choice, I prefer standard) I used an in network dr. I have been happy with
tricare.
— Becky K.
March 8, 2002
I work for DEERS and just make sure before you do anything that your DEERS
record is up to date and that you have current military ID card and that
your sponsor (military service member) has updated service record. So many
tricare issues can go smoothly if all DEERS info is correct and up to date.
— Lovett
March 8, 2002
Hi my husband is in the Navy but we were stationed near an Air Force base
and I had my surgery done on the base. I had to get a referral from my
primary care doc to see the surgeon. no psych test required. They did a
lower ab ultra sound and blood work and other basic stuff. Some have long
wait list. Best of luck to you T
— Tisha W.
March 8, 2002
My husband is retired Navy. I had mine done through Tri-Care Prime. I was
treated by civilians for everything, but I've also read of people having it
done at Military Hospitals. We only paid a $36 co-pay for over $20,000
worth of medical care. Pretty great deal!
— Bobbie B.
March 8, 2002
Hi, I got my surgery done on a military post 2 hours from the post we are
now. I tried to go through the proper channels with PCM and TriCare, but
Tricare said there wasn't enough information. As if 323 pounds isn't
enough---DUH! I called the surgery clinic directly, "my" surgeon
happened to be there when the lady who answered the phone saying "You
are 323 pounds and 5'10", he said "Tell her to come see me!"
I feel so blessed to have had him do my surgery. I am also glad not have
gotten a bill. Also, my husband is active duty Army and got time off (no
leave charge) and TDY money for lodging and food. Good Luck.
— Angela S.
March 8, 2002
for ?s about tricare coverage goto there web site tricare.mil they have a
complete guide to there wls coverage
i am in hawaii and triple amry medical center just started doing wls again
last month. i think most of the major hospitals in the military are doing
some kind of wls ( now i dont mean the clinics )i know that at madagan in
WA state has a team of dr. doing wls there hope this helps you
— Amber T.
March 8, 2002
I also had my surgery here in WA at Madigan Army Hospital- I had NO out of
pocket expenses, and my surgeon is an Army surgeon. I do know that here you
can "opt out" of Madigan and go to a civilian hospital, but I am
not sure of the out of pocket expenses if you go that way. I do know that
they are doing the open procedure in many Army hospitals, and have been
doing bariatric surgeries since the 1960's. I got lucky at Madigan, and got
a lap RNY done- you can also look into being flown in- I know Madigan has
done some surgeries on dependents from Alaska and Hawaii to. Hope this
helps- good luck!!
— smartchick
March 8, 2002
Hi Marie! Yes,Yes,Yes!!! I had RNY in a military hospiatl at Lackland,
AFB in San Antonio, Texas. I am currently at Avaino, Italy. My base sent
me on the medivac from Italy to Texas to have WLS. So...even if you are
stationed overseas, it can be done. I had WLS June 2001 (now 9 months
post-op) and have lost 106 pounds to date, wearing a size 6 and feeling
wonderful! Please feel free to email me if you have any questions. Best of
luck to you! Ciao, Victoria in Italy :)
— perezrdh
March 25, 2002
I live in Hawaii and though they do have a Bariatric Surgeon on staff,
there were well over 100 patients on a waiting list who were considered
surgical candidates. Because it would take approximately 4 years to get
through the patients on the list, they opted to send quite a few patients
to civilian surgeons instead. Keep in mind that it does take some time,
whether you are in the military system or go to a civilian doctor. My
initial surgical consult was on 10/22/01, received the Tricare approval to
see an outside physician about 30 days later. Because there is only one
Tricare eligible physician in Honolulu, there was a 3 month wait to see him
(which is what I will be doing today!). At any rate, talk to your PCP
within the military system and get the ball rolling!!! Good luck!!!!
— KathieInHawaii
Click Here to Return