Question:
Has anyone had plastic surgery done and paid for by Tricare?

I am still pre op but I know that I will be needing a tummy tuck and something done to my inner thighs once I get to my goal weight. Has anyone had Tricare pay for these procedures? Also I know I will want a breast augmentation also and am willing to pay for it myself, but I have also heard rumors that Tricare will pay for this also. I don't have a large chest now I am only in a B-cup so there won't be much there for a lift so I will need the implants too. Thank you all for your answers.    — S C. (posted on April 9, 2003)

April 9, 2003
I know they will pay for a panni, which is different than a TT, because the same surgeon that did my surgery, will also do a panni. They might also pay for a TT, but I only know for CERTAIN they do the panni. I don't know if they will pay for anything else, so I'm curious to see the other answers.
   — Diana L.

May 12, 2003
Tricare would NOT pay for my tummy tuck OR a pannilectomy. I'm paying for it myself and its costing me over $10K.
   — Skinny M.

May 12, 2003
I am 3 months pre-op, but I talked to a representative just the other day about what would be covered for reconstrive surgery. She told me that nothing was covered, but if it was medically necessary, and your pcp put in a referral with documentation you could be approved for a panni and a breast reduction. I asked her what the time frame was and she said that when it was medically necessary, so that tells me unlike some insurance that say after you have gotten to your goal weight and maintained for so many months, tricare does not have that limitation. She said by medically necessary means, that for a panni, you have to have pictures of the apron and of the rashes and documentation of back pain from the weight of the lose skin, same with a breast reduction, rashes, back pain, shoulder indention. I do not think a breast enhancement would qualify. I also know that they will not cover a arm lift for bat wings or any face lifts or thigh lifts. So when I am needing the breast lift, I will talk to my surgeon about doing the bat wings, and I will pay for that, hopefully it will be a little less, because of the other cost being paid by insurance. Hope this helps.
   — cindy