Med Clearance denial question- may be branch specific

[*Stephanie*]

So we got paperwork back from Alaska saying there is no gynecological oncologist in Anchorage. Well, I found one in Anchorage AND they even take Tricare (I'm already on Standard anyways).

I'm not sure of the right way to go about the fact we found the information. I know I should be automatically approved if they have it, but not sure of how to go about it. DH is giving my medical records to Osan on Friday to send over. He's been in contact also with the overseas clearance coordinator at Elmendorf... do you think he should just call her and see what she says? I really don't want to lose this assignment, especially if they have the specialist they are worried about not having just because of not up to date Tricare stuff KWIM?

Ugh. Not sure at all on how to go about this. Advice from you wise ladies would be helpful.

[jaimie14]

I would print out the proof and call whoever it is who told you that the doctor doesn't exist.

Is it possible that they don't have outdated info, but you do?


I assume it shouldn't be that difficult of a fix, but I have no experience wth that, so don't know. LOL Good Luck! I hope it works out!

[*Stephanie*]

I would print out the proof and call whoever it is who told you that the doctor doesn't exist.

Is it possible that they don't have outdated info, but you do?


I assume it shouldn't be that difficult of a fix, but I have no experience wth that, so don't know. LOL Good Luck! I hope it works out!

I'm going to call and double check that she's still there etc. Then give the info to DH and probably have him call the lady at Elmendorf and/or talk to the person at Osan (who was way less helpful and waited almost two weeks to tell DH that they needed my records in the first place).

[jaimie14]

I'm going to call and double check that she's still there etc. Then give the info to DH and probably have him call the lady at Elmendorf and/or talk to the person at Osan (who was way less helpful and waited almost two weeks to tell DH that they needed my records in the first place).

i hate when people in a service type position like that aren't helpful.

Good luck

[villanelle]

When you call, you'll also want to make sure they still take Tricare and are accepting patients, as well as maybe asking what the average time to get an appointment might be. I'd be up front and let them know your situation and ask if there is any reason they couldn't treat you.

I can't think of what else the medical clearance office might ask, but the more you can find out upfront, them better, just in case.

Good luck. I hope it works out.

[Emmy]

When you call, you'll also want to make sure they still take Tricare and are accepting patients, as well as maybe asking what the average time to get an appointment might be. I'd be up front and let them know your situation and ask if there is any reason they couldn't treat you.

I can't think of what else the medical clearance office might ask, but the more you can find out upfront, them better, just in case.

Good luck. I hope it works out.

Yes I agree with this. As long as she is there, she can take you, accepts Tricare, and there are no issues, then you need to proceed.

This isn't a new problem with EFMP unfortunately. I had a friend who went through a similar issue here. Her son had severe medical problems and required a specialist. The EFMP team here said nope, no treatment here available for him. Well she researched and found a wonderful specialist in the area that took Tricare and would see them. So her husband spoke with the EFMP coordinator and explained the case, and they were accepted. They were here for years with no issues.

[*Stephanie*]

Yes I agree with this. As long as she is there, she can take you, accepts Tricare, and there are no issues, then you need to proceed.

This isn't a new problem with EFMP unfortunately. I had a friend who went through a similar issue here. Her son had severe medical problems and required a specialist. The EFMP team here said nope, no treatment here available for him. Well she researched and found a wonderful specialist in the area that took Tricare and would see them. So her husband spoke with the EFMP coordinator and explained the case, and they were accepted. They were here for years with no issues.

Thanks. I am calling this afternoon. The doctor was actually recommended by my current oncologist (my Dad emailed my oncologist when he found out we may have problems getting me approved). Hopefully will be able to get more information this afternoon. I'd just rather them have all the info before they go to approve or deny it because the appeal process is such a pain.

[*Stephanie*]

Just called Triwest and the doctor isn't a Network provider, so no good if I was on Prime, but I'm on Standard anyways. So now I just have to call and see if they will accept Tricare and if I was to ever need to see the doctor I would have to pay 20% of the Tricare amount (which I do already, haha). So crossing fingers I guess.

[gunsgirl]

let us know how it goes- if she is willing to take a tricare standard new patient then file an appeal with your 'evidence"
this happens alot in AK- GL!

[*Stephanie*]

Another update. Called the oncologist office and they said they would just need a doctors referral from the base and all my records etc. Since I would only need to see her in the instance of a relapse the lady on the phone said it shouldn't be an issue. I'm going to give DH the info and have him call Elmendorf EFMP/SNIAC/overseas clearance when he wakes up. The doctor won't take new patients without seeing their records first, she's the only one in all of Alaska so that may be the issue they are worried about. But I'm going to bring it up to them regardless since the doctors office didn't seem to think it was an issue. The stupid thing is being two years out is all it would require for me to JOIN the military with this kind of cancer (yeah, found that when I was googling, haha).