rhinoplasty

[breakingbad1234]

Would you be allowed to get a rhinoplasty once at the academy? (Of course out of your own pocket/doctor) thanks.

 

[breakingbad1234]

All help is appreciated (this isn't a necessary surgery, rather a personal preference operation. I don't have to have it done if it will be DQ). If it isn't a DQ I will notify DoDMERB of operation after completed.

 

[justdoit19]

Are you a candidate? It kind of sounds like is since you mention updating DODMERB. If so, I would recommend reaching out to your medical team.

Once you are at the academy, you are under Tricare. You would not use private pay. There would also be elements of the military approving any surgery.

I don’t know the answer to either of your questions: DQ, and would a SA approve it. But I would want absolute accurate answers from a primary source. Someone story here on the forums isn’t necessarily someone else’s outcome.

 

[Ivy22]

If it’s not medically necessary, Tricare might not allow/pay for such a surgery

 

[justdoit19]

If it’s not medically necessary, Tricare might not allow/pay for such a surgery

I agree with this. I also think the point that they are under Tricare as their primary insurance is important. In a training attended, straight from BMU/medical, it was pointed out that Tricare is primary. Private is secondary. If a person uses their private (whole at home, for example), their private (secondary) insurance would/could fall back to Tricare. Who can decline bc it wasn’t pre-approved. Then the person is stuck with denied benefits from both insurance. And a full bill for whatever occurred. Potentially rhinoplasty in this example.

Bottom line, I wouldn’t advise.

 

[Ivy22]

I agree with this. I also think the point that they are under Tricare as their primary insurance is important. In a training attended, straight from BMU/medical, it was pointed out that Tricare is primary. Private is secondary. If a person uses their private (whole at home, for example), their private (secondary) insurance would/could fall back to Tricare. Who can decline bc it wasn’t pre-approved. Then the person is stuck with denied benefits from both insurance. And a full bill for whatever occurred. Potentially rhinoplasty in this example.

Bottom line, I wouldn’t advise.

Yea the Tricare issue is pretty complicated for this. I’m not sure about all the intricacies

You could do it in ROTC on private insurance (this is the route I took) because no Tricare in ROTC, but you’d have to get medically cleared again afterwards before commissioning. Which normally isn’t too big of a deal for an uncomplicated rhinoplasty

 

[breakingbad1234]

I’ve accepted my appointment for USNA. I fully expect to pay full out of pocket, that is expected bc it’s cosmetic. My question was if I would be allowed to do it.

 

[Ivy22]

I’ve accepted my appointment for USNA. I fully expect to pay full out of pocket, that is expected bc it’s cosmetic. My question was if I would be allowed to do it.

I’m not sure but a cosmetic nose job might be one of those surgeries that you would have to wait to get until you’re out of the military…

Sounds like you’d be going to a plastic surgeon who isn’t in the Tricare network to do it. You’d need to get special permission in order for them to be able to operate on you, an active duty service member. The surgery could affect your medical clearances, and that might not be a risk that the military would be willing to accept.

 

[justdoit19]

I’ve accepted my appointment for USNA. I fully expect to pay full out of pocket, that is expected bc it’s cosmetic. My question was if I would be allowed to do it.

Why don’t you first check with your private insurance? BC they will become SECONDARY once you are under Tricare as AD military. Unless you mean you will pay 100 pct, not even using insurance? And I’m not sure a DR and hospital setting would even allow a ‘no insurance’ procedure.

Have your parents help your with understanding this. Re read what I already posted about primary and secondary insurance. And the possibility of no one covering it (assuming it would be allowed). If your private insurance won’t cover as secondary to Tricare, your question about whether it would even be allowed is irrelevant.

You’ve also asked about a couple other items of surgical/cosmetic nature. I personally wouldn’t count on any of them. Truth be told, no one here has the ability to answer with certain authority.

But, the primary (Tricare) medical insurance is a real thing. As per USNA medical.

 

[Impulsive]

I’ve accepted my appointment for USNA. I fully expect to pay full out of pocket, that is expected bc it’s cosmetic. My question was if I would be allowed to do it.

Since you have already "accepted" a slot in this years class, I would definitely reach out to your AO and just ask! No risk in asking and they will let you know if there are any negative ramifications in doing it.