shmily

I have been at this since late September 2013, tests and classes...finally submitted to Tricare last week and now anxiously waiting

I just got a call, scheduled for Feb 26. pre -op app tomorrow

Not yet, I have a call in to the scheduler but she is in clinic today. The doctor requires a two week diet after it is scheduled

I called Tricare and I AM APPROVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here is what that part says. all incl r & b/anc valid dates 02/13/2014- 02/14/2014 visits 2 pending date received 02/05/2014 What do you think??

The website shows it was received Feb 5 and shows status as PENDING. I will call them tomorrow in case the website just hasn't been updated

I was told by my doctors office that they are pretty fast too. It is WEST. On the website, my referrals, it shows PENDING....

I have seen the surgeon, attended his required wt loss seminar, checked him out for malpractice issues and his reviews, had my psychological, my nutritional, my blood work, seeing cardiology next week, I have my EGD scheduled for Jan. 9, 2014.....after that, we wait for insurance approval. Tricare does pay 100%. I have BMI of 49%, new diabetic, sleep apnea, high BP and cholesterol, asthma, knees have tears, back issues.....I think I will pass.....excited to get my life back

I guess it varies

PS, no sleep study needed for me, I am already on a Cpap

I have Tricare Prime and the surgeons insurance person told me they told HER, I had to have a letter of suport from my primary, stating my medicl conditions and what type of wt loss programs I had tried, WW or Jenny Craig had to be one of them. They then required the pre op blood work, a psychological eval, 1 visit, and 1 visit to the nutritionist. I have to see a cardiologist for clearance, that next week, and the surgeon will do an EGD at the hospital on Jan 9, 2014. I have body mass index of 48, and have several co-morbitities, though they are not needed with a BMI as high as mine. I was told I have completed all my requiremtns, once these other two appointments are donw, and then they will submit it to the insurance. After that, and if it is apporved, a surgery date will be scheduled and then I will attend a 2 hour class by the doctors hospital bariatic coordinator and thats it. After scheduling the DOCTOR requires a high protein 1000 cal diet for two weeks to shrink any enlarged liver, to get me used to putting protein first and changing some habits. Maybe cause mine is Triwest, I don't know....

I just check the Tricare site updated December 2013 and here is what it said. If you meet all of the following conditions: You're at least 18 years old or you must provide documentation of completion of bone growth. You were unsuccessful with non-surgical medical treatments for obesity. Your medical records must show your failed attempts.Diet programs, such as Weight Watchers®* and Jenny Craig*, are acceptable methods of dietary management, as long as there are monthly clinical visits with your doctor and medical documentation of your participation and your progress throughout the course of the dietary program. *These programs are not covered by TRICARE. Physician-supervised programs made-up of only weight-loss medication management, do not meet this requirement. You have proof of one of the following:A body-mass index greater than or equal to 40 kilograms per meter squared (kg/m2); or A body-mass index of 35-39.9 kg/m2 with one clinically significant comorbidity, including but not limited to, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, obstructive sleep apnea, Pickwickian syndrome, hypertension, coronary artery disease, obesity-related cardiomyopathy, or pulmonary hypertension. So I have met all the requirements, hopoing I don't have to do the 6 month thing, it didnt say anything about it. I will call them tomorrow

and knee surgery

I had to show a history of previous wt loss attempts with supervised programs this year such as Weight Watchers, which I did. The doc requires a 2 week program as well, before surgery. If I have to go 6 months, I will have to go on a med for my diabetes..........It only showed up in the pre-op AN1C