Another Tricare question for those you have

wife2aviator · February 16, 2008

already had surgery. I went to my PCM and she referred me to a doctor in Mobile, AL. I call them and they said I had to have a orientation before I can even see the doctor. So I made that for this Wednesay. My question is, the referral I got is that for the surgery too or just to see the doctor doing the Lapband? The reason I am asking is according to his website, I will need to have a evalution by the nutritionist, psycoligist (sp) and may even need a 5 yr evaluation on showing that I have been trying to loose weight. I thought me going to the PCM and getting a referral for the Lapband was all I was going to need. Can someone answer these questions that have already done this.

Thanks so much,

Angela

irideaqh · February 16, 2008

Angela,

I have not had surgery yet, but I have been scheduled for March 17. My PCM referral was just to see the surgeon. The surgeon's office then sent in a referral request to Tricare to get approval for the actual surgery. I also have to meet w/ the dietician, psych, and go to a LB support group meeting before surgery. That is required for my surgeon, not for Tricare.

Good luck!

Lisa

wife2aviator · February 16, 2008

Ok. I was just wondering and got confused on it. I was hoping to have it done before May because we are moving from AL to AK.

Thank you,

Angela

irideaqh · February 16, 2008

Angela,

It might be possible for you to have your surgery before you move. My approval only took a little over a week after the surgeon put in the request for authorization and I think that is longer than usual because Tricare had to make a change due to a problem w/ my PCM referral. My dietician & psyc appts are both next week and I could have surgery sooner, but my husband is going to be TDY for 3 weeks and I wanted to wait until he was going to be back.

You should check into it and see if they could get you in before you move.