tri-care/plastic surgery?

danolitafawn

I had twins 6 months ago and they did a number on my body. My doctor recommends seeing a plastic surgeon to see about repairing my out of place stomach muscles. While I am under I figured I could have some scars revised too. I have known of women having tri-care pay for some of their breast implants..so i am wondering if they would pay for these items?..anyone have experience with this?

Lissa832

Tricare doesn't pay for elective plastic surgery. If you know someone who had breast implants covered, it is likely due to something like breast cancer where a mastectomy was required. If you have a medical need for your surgery, tricare might cover it. They are not going to pay for you to have scars removed though.

danolitafawn

I know they don't pay for elective surgeries..But people seem to be getting around the rules by having doctors sign off saying it was medically advised to revise certain areas of the body..Just wondering if anyone else had this experence..Not wanting to milk the system, I have saved money from our tax return to pay for it..Just curious i guess..Thanks for your response

SoftSpot

A poster on MN was able to get hers paid for by TriCare because she has some symmetry issues (or something like that). It could possible if your doctor deems it medically necessary, not cosmetic. I think it's still largely case by case at this point though.

mysticl

I can't speak to Tricare but I used to work for a plastic and reconstructive surgeon in college.  We were able to get things approved with some insurance companies if we could show a medical reason or in some cases if we could prove that condition was causing pyschological trauma to the patient.  The psychological trauma can possibly get scar revision covered but if the scar is in a place that is usually covered it probably won't work.  We would have to have all kinds of statements from people to prove the trauma.  For example, if the patient was a child we would get letters from teachers attesting that the child suffered some type of abuse from their peers because of the condition. 

LovelyChika

 

I heard that some woman did have their plastic surgeries paid for but they had to go to the CO and have a very good reason on why they needed this plastic surgery.

Temp984666312503071

https://www.tricare.mil/mybenefit/jsp/Medical/IsItCovered.do?kw=Reconstructive+Surgery&topic=Women

My friend had twins about 18 months ago and did have some reconstructive surgery post-pardum.  She had several hernias repaired which included some muscle work.  From what I recall, she didn't get everything she wanted, but they did cover a major portion of the surgery.

And to the PP who said they went to the "CO"... what do you mean?  Commanding Officers (non medical) have ZERO bearing on whether Tricare will cover something.  To imply such is actually kinda funny .

lisa&andy

I have heard of Tricare covering it only if it is medically necessary. If you have hernias, ab muscles that need to be fixed because they are causing you pain. If they wanted a tummy tuck while there, they had to pay the difference OOP.

I have been told that some MTF's will do cosmetic surgery only so that the surgeons stay certified. But there are few slots and few doctors so a long wait time. I don't know if this true or not, but it is something I have heard from different people. 

afwifestrecker7706

Tricare will cover plastic surgery from what I have been told if it is effecting you mentally. I was told that is how people get there boob jobs. I have been told they will cover a reduction for me but that is due to pain that is from my chest. If you can get Tricare to cover your first visit then the surgeon might be able to tell you what they may cover.

simo7079

I know a woman that got Tricare to pay for Lipo and a tummy tuck by having a dr say she was depressed and had bad body image.  She wasn't actually depressed but she got a dr to say she was...

krissywave

Honestly you can get just about anything done that you want.  Its all about how its worded.  You will be suprised.  I know females in the military who got brest enlargments.  something to do with their mental health and how they felt about their bodies. 

Good luck either way.

TwinMama83

LovelyChika:

 

I heard that some woman did have their plastic surgeries paid for but they had to go to the CO and have a very good reason on why they needed this plastic surgery.

LOL.  I couldn't imagine going to my husbands CO and saying, "But Captain... I REALLY need this tummy tuck and boob job!!!  I gotta look good on the beach this summer!"