Military insurance and recon...or should I say lack thereof

Ozzygirl

I have just begun to look at construction options and I am shocked at the responses that I have gotten. 

If you are military you have very few options. None of the well known places will take military insurance unless you can cough up $$$$$$, 

The only option I have right now is to go see a 73 year old dude that does nose jobs. 

SpecialK

Where are you located, and what well known places are you trying to be seen in?  I have military insurance and have had no issues, and could have any type of reconstruction I desired.

Ozzygirl

Special. 

I am in MS.

I was given a list at the base and a bunch of them no longer accept ANY form of Tricare. 

2 only did pedical trams and only a few a year, one would not touch Tricare at all and the other would only if they were secondary to another policy, which I currently don't have. Both do implants but not for recon purposes.

Got lots of recommendations for PRMA from here and elsewhere but they stopped accepting Tricare 2 years ago apparently (folks there were very nice and I understand their reasoning)

2 of the other ps offices said would could take me but I would have to make up the difference and those look to be some pretty steep numbers.

This is for both implants and flaps. Not sure of my choices yet with respect to type of surgery. 

I have talked with some folks with some Impressive CV's and happy they can help folks in need for their cosmetic surgery needs but I am thinking that I need someone with some experience in this.

Guess I am just surprised as I have never had a single issue with Tricare and docs in over 20 years. Not a peep or issue during treatment with any of the charges off base. 

I guess this field is so specialized that there are limited resources and even less that deal with Tricare.

SpecialK

You can see from my signature line that I have had a lot of surgery and treatment and every facility takes Tricare, as have all of my private physicians - oncological breast surgeon, plastic surgeon and medical oncologist.  I live right next to the only NCI designated cancer center in FL and they take Tricare - they do implants, and autologous reconstruction of all types.  If you were interested in PRMA does this mean that you are reasonably close to San Antonio?  The military hospital there does breast reconstruction - there is a member who posts here on BCO who is treated there.

Ozzygirl

Special, 

Thanks for the response.  Are you allowed to share your hospital information? 

At this point I would be happy just to talk to someone about my options without being treated like a red headed stepchild with leprosy over my insurance.  Even if it is just the opportunity to find out WHAT I am a candidate for.

I had no idea that any bases did cosmetic surgery. Will have to research that as well I guess. I also have been told that UAB in Alabama takes Tricare but have not heard back from anyone there yet. 

SpecialK

I will PM you.