Question:
I have Tricare Prime and need to know how long it can take for written authorization
— S C. (posted on May 21, 2003)
May 21, 2003
I rec'd my "written" authorization via snail mail about 4 days
after I was given the verbal approval. I hope your experience with TriCare
is a good one. I'm happy to say I have had NO problems with them. Not
only were they quick about getting the paperwork processed they paid the
bills in a very timely manner. Good luck to you on your WLS : )
— [Deactivated Member]
May 21, 2003
I have Tricare Prime also. I think it too about a week for the written
approval to get to the surgeons office after I had been verbally approved.
I'd like to say I also have been happy with the coverage so far. Tricare P
approved me quickly and has been paying the bills on time.
— Anne R.
May 21, 2003
Original poster here thank you for the response so far. I have been trying
to get this done since November of 2002 and now that I am at the final
stage insurance approval I am out of patience. I have been told three
different things from three different people and something different from
the surgeon's office. I read on here about how everyone with Tricare gets
approved so quickly and here I am a whole week out from them sending in my
information to be told today that it could take six weeks, last week it was
four and the surgeon's office said maybe two weeks. I was expecting two
weeks at least, but not six. Sorry to vent I know it takes some a lot
longer to get this far but I am on a time schedule I have to have this done
before the end of July and be somewhat recovered because my hubby can't
take but so much time from work and he has schools scheduled for most of
this year already. Thank you all for your responses I am trying to keep a
positve attitude but I think I onlyhad six months of positive attitude in
storage.
— S C.
May 21, 2003
I had written approval to see a surgeon for WLS in three days, and when I
saw the surgeon and he agreed to do my surgery, the surgeon's office
submitted to Tricare Prime and they got the approval for the surgery in one
day. I received the written approval in the mail in two days, but by then
the surgeon's office had called me with a approval and a surgery date.
Tricare Prime is the very best, they have a very fast turn around time.
Good Luck
— cindy
May 21, 2003
call tricare yourself and see if it has even been sent in yet. it should
not take this long. maybe your doctor hasn't sent in the info yet. i would
call tricare and find out what is up. and if there is a problem, it will
give you a chance to fix it so you can have your wls. good luck
— franbvan
May 21, 2003
I also have Tricare Prime and had very fast approval. When I told my PCP I
wanted to see a surgeon for consultation that approval came in about a week
and after the surgeon saw me I was authorized in about an hour. I would
get on the phone with Tricare and demand to know what the hold up is.
— TraciB
May 21, 2003
I called Tricare again this afternoon told them that I didn't think it
should take this long I explained to them that I had been at this since
November and my patience is running out they finally told me that it has to
be done before the 19th of June. That is how long they can take to look
over everthing and give me an answer. She also told me to call back
periodically to check on it if I didn't hear from the surgeon's office. I
guess some surgeon's schedule a surgery date before they get authorization
because she asked me what my date was and I told her that my surgeon
wouldn't give a date until I got the approval. She was very nice and about
the only one who understood that I was tired of waiting. Thank you all for
the information unfortunatly everything I ever try to do for myself takes
more time, patience and motivation than building the "Great
Pyramids"
— S C.
May 22, 2003
Well if anyone else reads this I was told today that I am listed in
Tricare's new system as an 84 year old woman, someone messed up my
birthdate somewhere and that COULD be why I haven't gotten authorization
yet. They are researching it and will get back to me. Isn't life grand. I
was already feeling old even though I know I am not but now it has been
written that I am. Of course I look damn good for 84.
— S C.
May 22, 2003
i have tricare prime also saw my doctor on may 10th she sent in a request
for the surgery called tricare the next day got approval and called the
doctors office my first appointment is june 13th. if you dont get the
response you need from you pcm go to another one. plus i am not sure as to
where you are located where i am there is no military doctors within a two
year waiting list so they let me go out of network. good luck dont give up
— tacy T.
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