Question:
I need info on what Tricare prime remote covers for Active duty soldiers.

I need examples of letters to send to my PCM. My Dr is willing to help me but she does not know how to word the letter. Does anyone have any suguestions. I'm interested in breast reduction, tummy tuck and liposuction. Thanks    — linda M. (posted on March 18, 2005)

March 17, 2005
When you find out this info, I would love to know also. My husband is also active duty. I am 9 months post op and -101 pounds.
   — Micah A.

March 18, 2005
I have Tricare Prime, but my husband is retired Marine. But, I would think that Tricare Prime would have the same rules for all Tricare Prime dependents. Ask your pcp for a referral for a consult and evaluation to see a plastic surgeon. All he needs to put on the referral is the name of the ps that you want to see, call Tricare for a list of surgeons in the network, be pro-active make phone calls and find out from that list which are ps and what type of ps they do, your pcp needs to put that it is a medically necessary because of the great loss of weight and the pain, rashes, etc. Make sure that your pcp has good documentation, scripts for creams, picture. Your pcp submits it to Tricare Prime and it is a good bet that they will approve the consult and evalutation, that is the way to start. If you pcp is on base, it might be different. I had my breast reduction on 8-4-04, and Tricare approved it in 2 days, my ps submitted all the paperwork, I had my TT on 2-7-05 and my ps submitted all the paperwork, and it was approved from Tricare in one week. Good Luck
   — cindy

March 18, 2005
Are YOU the active duty soldier? If so you need to go through your military treatment facility for surgery and tricare will most likely pay for it all. However, here is the situation... there are VERY few board certified PS in the Army so you will probably gte a regular general surgeon and you will only be able to get a reduction (no lift) and a removal of the pannis (belly bulge) without any of the tightening procedures and NO ONE in the military does Lipo. Your BMI is not even close to being high enough to be approved for WLS and even if it was, they don't allow WLS patients to remain on active duty. Sorry I could not be of more help.
   — MagickalMom

March 19, 2005
Linda, I have a friend/angel http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/profile.phtml?N=G1025993964 who has an AWESOME copy of what she wrote to TriCare Prime for her letter. She has it out there for ALL to use if they need it. I hope her site helps you as it has helped MANY around here!
   — Carole M.