Does Tricare cover weight reduction surgery?

Are you having difficulty losing weight? Do you feel as though you’ve exhausted all options without success? There may be a solution that you have not yet considered: weight loss surgery. And the highlight? If you are a Tricare member, your insurance may cover it!

Tricare is the health care program for uniformed service members, their dependents, and retirees. They provide numerous medical services, including weight loss surgery. This type of surgery includes gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy, which can assist individuals in achieving significant weight loss and improving their overall health.

However, you may question if Tricare actually covers weight loss surgery. The affirmative! However, certain requirements must be fulfilled in order to be eligible for coverage. The surgery must first be declared medically necessary by a physician. This indicates that the individual must have a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or higher, or a BMI between 30 and 34.9 with at least one obesity-related medical condition, such as diabetes or hypertension. Additionally, the individual must have tried unsuccessfully to lose weight through diet and exercise.

If these requirements are met, Tricare will cover weight loss surgery performed at a network facility. This includes both the cost of the surgery and any pre- and post-operative care that may be required. Depending on the specific plan and circumstances, there may be additional out-of-pocket expenses.

Then why are you still waiting? Weight reduction surgery may be the solution you’ve been searching for if you’re a Tricare member struggling with obesity and related health problems. And because Tricare covers the expense, it may be more accessible than you expect! Consult your physician to determine if this option is appropriate for you and to learn more about Tricare’s coverage criteria.