Tricare Prime - Insurance Question

How long did it take you for a sugery date from the initial consulation??

Hi Holly,

I think it mostly depends on what your surgeon requires.  Mine required a lot of stuff including a six month documented diet.  So, it took me about 8 months to have my surgery. 

I do know people who have tricare prime that it only took them a couple weeks before surgery. 

Good luck!

 Just about three months for me...mostly because the dr. required a psych and a nutrition consult before they scheduled a surgery date.

Good Luck.

Lisa

Hi Holly,

I'm just starting the process through tricare but all of the people I have talked to or read about have taken anywhere from 1 month to a couple of months (longer if they don't pass the psych evaluation or any of the other tests).  The amount of time it takes depends on what tests the surgeon requires and how long it takes you to get the appointments for the tests.  Tricare doesn't require the supervised dieting but if your surgeon does that will have to be taken into account also.  

The great thing is once the surgeon submits your paperwork to tricare for approval Tricare usually gives the approval within days (or hours) of receiving it.  Then you'll get your surgery date.

THANK YOU THANK YOU FOR THE INFO!!  My surgeon said I have to attend a 2 hour orientation, then within a couple of days they will set up the first consult visit!  So orientation is the 28 of April............so hurry up and wait!!!

I had my consultation Feb. 1and my surgery will be May 3. I had to have an upper GI, ultrasound of my gallbladder, psych exam, and meeting with a nutritionist. My approval for surgery took less than 24 hours though!!! I can't wait! Good luck to you!!!

It really depends on the doctor and how quick his office sends the request to insurance. I'm on standard, so its probably not exactly the same. I had my initial consult at the end of July and had surgery November 2. It was booked about a month and a half before I actually had the surgery.

It really depends on what region you live in.  I am North.  Tricare required I  do a 6 month diet , psych, cardio clearance, pulmonary clearance, and blood work.  Even without the 6 month diet it would have taken awhile because my PCM had to put in a referral for the other tests.  This always took several weeks.  Then with some of the Dr.s I had to wait several months for an appointment.  I Started in November trying to get appointments for a sleep study. I had my follow up with the Dr. last week and am still waiting for a cpap.   Fortunately he sent in my clearance in Feb. 

Once I sent in my insurance packet it took 2 weeks for approval.  Most people with tricare have it much sooner.  I started in September and will have my surgery on April 25. 

From what I have read here, Tricare prime North takes longer than the other regions.  I also live in an area of the country that is difficult to get appointments with specialty Dr.s.    The wait hasn't been bad.   It has given me time to prepare.    Good luck.  I hope all goes well with you.

From the time I decided to have surgery until the day of my surgery was about two months or so; however, I was very proactive with regard to finding out exactly what I needed, pulling my records together on my own, and getting my appointments set and done.

It was not difficult at all.  In fact, I was surprised how easy it was once I got the ball rolling. 

After being on the OH board for a couple of years now, it appears that TriCare is one of the easiest insurances to get approved through if you meet the criteria for surgery. 

Wishing you GREAT success!!!

I am also very proactive............5yrs. ago I had the lapand......at that time Tricare Prime didn't cover it..........so I paid cash.  Only took me 6 weeks to get everything done.  I already have the preapproval for the initial consult visit and 6 follow up appts.  I never asked Tricare for anything regarding the band, because at that time, they didn't cover it.  Unfortnately it didn't work out for me at all!!  So live and learn as they say!!  Again thanks for the info!!  -Holly