Plastics, tricare, San Diego, Balboa Hospital?

Hey guys,

I am moving back to san diego soon.  I got my tummy tuck done up here at the navy hospital in washington and my plastic surgeon is putting in the referral to another surgeon at another hospital for my breasts (my plastic surgeon does not do breasts).  Its a process and I might have already been moved before I can get a surgery date scheduled.

I would love to hear what WLS patients have gotten approved and done with tricare prime in San Diego, either at Balboa or if they let you go civilian.  What sort of requirements they required for breast lift or augmentation down there.

thanks, Michelle

I dont see any replies, but I am wonderingif you got any PM's about Balboa.  I am trying fir the same thing and I am wondering if you know anything about it.

Thanks,
Jen

No...no one replied to me.  Sorry ;(

How did you get Tricare to cover your tummy tuck? And are they covering your breasts too?

I just went to my Primary care doctor and asked for it.  It really depends on where you live and what the plastic surgeons are willing to do where you are at.  You just have to go in and ask for it.  You have to complain of pain, and if you are unable to work out because of whatever you are trying to get surgery on then you almost always get approved.

The plastic surgeon at my hospital will do a tummy tuck if you have lost 100 pounds, most of them have their own requirements as to what requirements have to be met in order to do the procedure.  They bill it to tricare at pennelectamy but perform a apelectomy (or however they are spelled).  So they bill for a penni removal but do a tummy tuck.

For the breasts I have my appt. with the surgeon on the 12th, I have been told that I will more than likely get approved for a lift but maybe not implants, it really depends on what the surgeon is willing to do.

I just got off the phone w/ Balboa.  Tricare will pay for some of it.  There requirement is, you have to be at least 2 years out before they wull even see you.  They will do the lift, but you have to pay for the implants.  They also do TT's there.  I was a little bummed because I wanted to get this done this summer, but it looks like I have to wait 6 more months to be at 2 years.

Jen