Free sergury for the military and their spouses

[VampHeartless]

It's not necessarily a perk...but doesn't exactly have a requirement either. I've known one female soldier who had a nose job, and another who had some cosmetic dental work, neither of which were required. The army lets you have one free cosmetic surgery, but their is a lot of red tape and such to go through. The lasik surgery doesn't count against this either.

 

[cocowum]

Does anyone know where I could get more info on getting a procedure done? (specifically my teeth straightened) We have never heard of this. My DH is in the Military.

 

[VampHeartless]

STart by going to the dentist and asking...or Tricare.

 

[Dcat2u]

I work in the admissions office of a large military hospital, and yes they do plastic surgery procedures on military and families, however on family members if it is a total elective surgery they do pay for it. Maybe not as much as you would pay at a civivlian hospital but they do pay. Now we do have dr's that will say because someone has some "excessive" skin after given birth they will do the abdomnioplasty (tummy tuck) and say it is medically necessary. Now active duty get them done free of charge. I am currently waiting to have a double mascectomy and with that will come total reconstruction (tummy tuck w/new breasts) I will not have to pay for mine due to the high percentage of breast cancer in family (every female).

As for getting your teeth straightened you will need to contact the dental side of the insurance I believe it is still United Concordia.

 

[gottaluvPluto]

The military will not work on a dependents teeth.

DH was in the military for years and we had a few friends who took advantage of the so called free procedure. Military doctors get paid a salary, they do not get paid by how many procedures they do. Second, most of the doctors proforming the surgery are in training. I do not like military hospitals and military doctors - I have had some bad experiences with them and I would not let them do plastic surgery on me.

 

[Chris2597]

One of my friends had breast reduction surgery several years ago at a military hospital and they did a great job////she is very happy with the work.....At over 40 now she is totally perky and still sooooo glad she had it done....Her surgery was medically necessary as she was having terrible back pain. Her military plastic surgeon is now a very reputable surgeon in the civilian community.

 

[Dcat2u]

Not to start an issue but if I was in a bad accident or needed ER treatment I would want to be taken to our ER. Our ER residents have been the top residents the past couple years, even beating Harvard and other top medical schools. Not only do they deal with everyday stuff the also have to deal w/military stuff and training accidents, military protocal etc..... I have also seen some of the work our ortho, gen surg and plastic surgeons have done on our troops coming back after being injured - top notch! In the video of Sadaam being examined thats one of our docs!

Darlene
Proud Wife of a 4ID Soldier!
WE GOT HIM!!!

 

[mommytotwo]

Thank you for all the info. The news doesn't always show you and tell you everything, so all this info. here does help.

 

[ginna74]

I had a gall bladder surgery at the VA minneapolis hospital. They were Great! Let me stay an extra day because hubby was in school and I wouldn't have been able to get home.

Now Balboa in san Diego to me stunk!!!!!!! And to hubby too. They said he really needed a surgery on his back (he was in an accident) but he declined as he did not want them touching him. This was before I ever met him! I had a horable time giving birth to my first son there. I was giving him up for adoption and I told the nurses I didn't want to hold him (as I might change my mind) and after he was born I took a look at him and then the nurse told me to take him. I said no please. The other nurse said I have to. I was crying then. They were just about to basicly drop him in my lap when my hubby (wasn't hubby then) said (while I was histarical now) "if you hand her that baby I am going to deck you". They took the baby away along with hubby (security). He didn't get in trouble but I was miserable and hurt and I was sooo confused, about why people would do this to me. They treated me bad the whole time and while I had my 6 weeks I was very depressed. I know part of that because he was gone but a LOT because these people seemed to know what was best for me! Or they thought they did.


My spelling is really bad sorry!

 

[PrincessaC]

Originally posted by calypso*a*go-go
Don't flame me for this, but looking back on my experiences with military doctors -- they're the last ones I would want performing plastic surgery on me!!!

I have to agree!... I had my first son on medicade and had great care....I had my second son on Tricare (military doctors)...to make a long story short...I felt everything and I had an epidural...they did an episiotomy on me and did not even ask me...I know for a fact I would not of torn b/c w/ my first son I did not tear and he was bigger then the second! It was just a bad experience.

 

[TBLaube]

I work in the medical field in the military and like everything else in the world there are scams. There are legitimate surgeries, but unfortunately there are a ton of surgeries done by hook-ups. If you know the right people, you can get it done. One of my coworkers got a tummy tuck and a breast lift-no medical reason...
I also know several ladies that received breast implants. The surgery was free but the ladies paid for the actual cost of the implants. Plastice surgery for vain reasons are mostly abused by the Officer Community and their spouses....all about hook-ups.


HUGE waste of taxpayers money!

 

[kadaten]

Originally posted by Dcat2u
I work in the admissions office of a large military hospital, and yes they do plastic surgery procedures on military and families, however on family members if it is a total elective surgery they do pay for it. Maybe not as much as you would pay at a civivlian hospital but they do pay. Now we do have dr's that will say because someone has some "excessive" skin after given birth they will do the abdomnioplasty (tummy tuck) and say it is medically necessary. Now active duty get them done free of charge.

She knows of which she speaks! I was recently in for a surgical referral on the excessive skin issue...with infections resulting from it. I could have just the skin cut off for free (and be left with an 18" incision ) or I could opt for a full abdominoplasty for a copay of $3000. It was not considered medically necessitated since just lopping the skin off would probably do the trick. 3 grand isn't what you'd pay in a civilian market, but we don't pay doctor's fees since they're on salary....so they basically cover room/board/supplies. At our hospital any cosmetic procedure that is not completely medically necessitated entails a co-pay. I was shocked that it was even offered and asked why they did cosmetic surgery at all. The doc told me it was to keep up their skills while they weren't needed for mission essential surgeries. He also told me to decide quickly what I wanted since they will quit doing elective surgeries if/when they're needed for combat injuries. Right now about 1/2 of our surgical dept. is overseas...but more can go if needed.....and they want their skills to be sharp, not rusty.

 

[mommytotwo]

kadaten-With just hearing your story, I wouldn't want that doctor to be operating on me.

 

[gottaluvPluto]

TBLaube -

It is not a HUGE waste of tax payers money! The doctors are on salary and they get paid wether they do the surgery or they don't do the surgery. Plus, they need to do plastic surgery to keep up their skills.