Tricare and the LAP-BAND^®

Thread Starter  

I have been looking into the LAP-BAND^® and decided that because our insurance is such a pain that I would go self pay in Mexico but after researching I think I may try and get approved thru our insurance anyway and if that doesn't work then I'll go self pay. Anyone with Tricare Prime insurance have an easy time getting an approval?

:clap2: I will have my interview with my surgeon on 4-16... I have done all I need so far, just gonna ride the time out and see for myself. Referral from pcm, was easy to get. I'll keep you posted.

Thread Starter  

Here in Hawaii the dont pay from the LAP-BAND^® so I got a referral off post and am going with the RNY instead.I heard at Walter Reed they DO the LAP-BAND^®.

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I am in Va Bch and my surgeon's office said that at the Portsmouth Naval hospital they will only pay for the Gastric bypass. In addition, they said that Tricare Standard will only pay for the Gastric bypass. Hope that helps.

I am in Florida and they (TieCare) doesnt pay for them for Prime or Standard. They do have doctors in the AF and Army that do them, the trick is to find them. I know for certain they do them at Walter Reed as that is where my refferal was sent. You may have to pay your way (or catch a hop -dunno if you can hop the whole way with these kind of medical orders- I havent found out yet) but really paying for a ticket is WAY less than being self pay for the band.... I am up to my neck in this situation right, if you need someone to talk to or bounce ideas off of I am always here!

Alli

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Can't wait for my journey to begin...

ladies- this has been a helpful conversation i found. i was told consider gastric bypass surgery (not the LAP-BAND^®) after 6 months diet, etc.

So i thought i might look into a self pay since i have no interest in bypass.

but after reading this thread (if i'm reading it right)- i'm lead to believe that they do the LAP-BAND^® at walter reed? do any of you have any info that might help me? I'm very close to WR, but i did not think they did it. thanks!

Pattie

sorry, i mean i was told they do approve for bypass but not LAP-BAND^®

:help: Contact your Congress Person and send them as much research on the LAP-BAND^® as you can. Ask them to help get it covered under Tricare. The more request for help they get the more likely they are to talk among themselves. Fat people and the Military vote to! Coverage changes usally appear in the Oct. Tricare Handbooks. At the same time ask LAP-BAND^® Company, your Doctor, family and friends to help.