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




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