You have to be 200% over your ideal body weight. If you are a 100 pounds you need to have at least one co-morbid. Here is the info from the Tricare site.

Gastric Bypass

TRICARE covers gastric bypass, gastric stapling and gastroplasty to include vertical banded gastroplasty and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (Lap-Band surgery) is covered only when the beneficiary meets one of the following conditions:

• Is 100 pounds over ideal weight for height and bone structure and has one of these associated conditions: diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cholecystitis, narcolepsy, Pickwickian syndrome, hypothalamic disorders or severe arthritis of the weight-bearing joints
• Is 200 percent or more over ideal weight for height and bone structure
• Has had intestinal bypass or other surgery for obesity and because of complications, requires another surgery (takedown)

TRICARE does not cover:

• Nonsurgical treatment of obesity, morbid obesity, dietary control or weight reduction
• Biliopancreatic bypass, gastric bubble or balloon for the treatment of morbid obesity

Note for Active Duty Service Members: Bariatric surgery represents a major and permanent change in your digestive system that requires strict adherence to a specific dietary regimen that may interfere with operational deployment. A history of bariatric surgery is already a bar to military service and receiving bariatric surgery while on active duty may be grounds for separation. For more information, view the Health Affairs Policy 07-006.

Hi!  I have PCIP and YES!  It does cover bariatric surgery, as long as you meet the requirements (same as all the others).  I'm in the middle of the 6 months medically supervised diet right now.  I'm very excited and was so grateful to find this coverage when no one else would cover me.  BTW, mine declination was due to PCOS...crazy.

I haven't been approved yet, but I'm right there with you. I have 97 lbs to lose, BMI 37.8, and I have BCBS FED.  I have done everything they want me to do except my last visit to my PCP on 12 Sept. and that same day my NUT appt.  I was told the same thing - lightweight and no Diabetes or high blood pressure (Being checked for sleep apnea) I may or may not be approved.  I decided to go ahead anyway. I would rather be told NO than to not try at all.  I am placing a LOT on this...I REALLY want this surgery, but I can't afford it on my own.  I have to do something.  If I wait until I am BMI 40 and older I will have more issues than I already have (back pain, hip pain, incontenence, asthma) and I will probably need plastic surgery (beyond what I will need for my tummy) as well. It's worth the risk to me. (However I am praying for an APPROVAL!!) :)

That is the exact same thing mine said! I just actually received my letter from them saying they are denying me AGAIN because I lack the medical necessity for them to cover my surgery - this is all over five pounds too!!! So! I'm going to talk to my surgeon about (this is a sin I know) gaining the five pounds and starting over from scratch (if it's allowed). But my letter got me no where but back to where I started. Depending on why they are saying it's not necessary I would probably suggest the same, only because I've waited 3 months fighting after a year of working for it and it's just too much time that I'm worried I don't have.

Best of luck though in whatever path you take!

This is my first post and I have been reading different posts for several months.  My primary insurance is united healthcare and my secondary insurance is Medical Mutual of Ohio.  My primary insurance (united healthcare) didn't cover bariatric surgery including gastric bypass surgery but Medical Mutual did if you met all of the requirements.  I have gone through all 6 months of the supervised diet, got my psych test, got the scope of my stomache, went to the heart docotor and got the heart test, ect.  My docotors office first submitted my paperwork to my primary insurance(just to get the denial letter) so they could submit to Medical mutual.  My doctor's office submitted the paperwork to Medical Mutual on Monday morning.  I called the insurance and checked the status every day that entire week.  Finally I called on that same Friday (two days ago) and they just told me that I was approved!!!!  Just to double check, I even called again to make sure I got the same answer.  I have been so worried that I may get denied.  It feels amazing to know that I have the approval.  I have prayed so many times to God over the past 6 months and I believe He knew how important it was to me and He made it such an easy process to get approved.  Now I have to finish up my 2 hour nutrional class and I am ready to get the surgery.  Medical Mutual of Ohio couldnt have made it any easier and seamless.  Good luck to anyone trying to get the approval!!!