Question:
TRICARE-Anyone w/this ins. out there been approved?

Was wondering, since I am retired military and have been approved by TRICARE, if anyone else out there is retired (rm) military and have had this. Or any retiree dependent(r) or active duty dependent(ADd)? These are my own abbreviations so pls bear with me and we won't all have to type those words out each time. I am having the laproscopic RNY.    — Deb D. (posted on May 8, 2002)

May 8, 2002
I am a retird dependent and tricare appoved me in just one phone call. I was greatly surprised . I ended up using my bc/bs ppo as my dr was not one of tricares dr . I wish u much luck on your journey :-)
   — sallie P.

May 9, 2002
Debbie I am an spouse of an active duty AF member with Tricare PRIME and have been approved for the surgery. My surgery date is May 20. I personally know 5 spouses at my base that have had this procedure done in the last year. When I had my initial consultation with the surgeon, he told me that he performed 4-6 procedures per month on members associated with just our base! I believe that if you meet the requirements for Tricare, they will approve you for the surgery.
   — Lynn H.

May 9, 2002
Hi, I am a military dependent (widow) and I was approved by TRICARE. I do see a lot of misinformation on this site regarding TRICARE though. If a person is having their surgery done at a military treatment facility (hospital on a base), then TRICARE isn't in any way involved and you don't need their approval. TRICARE isn't even notified or has anything to do with your surgery. TRICARE is only used when a person is having something done OFF a military base. In my case, the hospital on post could not deal with a cardiac emergency so the surgeon from that hospital refered me to a hospital OFF post, Vanderbilt in Nashville. Also, because I am a widow, I'm considered a retired dependent since I was age 30. But if you are going to a doctor off a military base, TRICARE is pretty easy to be approved with, and pretty fast too. I hope everything works out for you. Good luck.
   — Tina P.

May 9, 2002
I had tricare extra at the time of my surgery (I've since switched to prime) I went to a Dr on their provider list and the rest was pretty easy. They approved quickly and have paid for pretty much everything except what I knew in advance I'd have to pay, like my co-pay(if you have prime this isn't even an issue). people complain about tricare but we've had other ins and I love tricare and loved it back when it was champus too! good luck
   — Becky K.

May 13, 2002
I am retired military dependant,TRICARE PRIME. MY initial visit at Ft. RUCKER was EXCELLENT. Everyone was very helpful AND I had a referral letter to FT GORDON within 3 weeks and a date within 3 weeks of that. My surgery is May 20. I have had NO PROBLEM with TRICARE PRIME. you must go to your primary care giver and HE/SHE will start you on all the tests which some may be on post or some may have to be off post,depending on availability of the services. So far ,we have had to pay OOOOO ,notta ,notta ,NOTTATHING and they will pay<TRICARE PRIME> for your expenses 100 miles away if you have to go to a different hospital. I am going from RUCKER to FT GORDON GA and they are paying for lodging as well as meals and gas. I have been EXTREMELY pleased with TRICARE and the military drs. have been great,not to mention all the staff and help ive received. DO NOT GIVE UP. email me and I will be glad to help you. BLESSINGS on you t3gramma@hotmail .com JUDIE NOWLIN
   — Judie N.