Is there a policy where soldiers can receive free cosmetic surgery?

2016-03-04T22:00:53-05:00

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2016 10:05 PM

2016-03-04T22:05:05-05:00

SPC Private RallyPoint Member Yes I tried to copy it here but it wouldn't allow me to. HA Policy 05-020 Policy for Cosmetic Surgery Procedures in the Military Health System.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 5 at 2016 2:36 AM

2016-03-05T02:36:06-05:00

My understanding was that it is free to fix a defect that can inhibit performance or if it is to fix a duty related injury. Otherwise I believe if it is purely elective, the member incurs some costs. I was in a unit where someone had it beofre. They had to take permissive TDY to the MTF that did it and I believe they had to use regular leave vs convalescence leave as well, after it was done. I think in cases if there are complications the member assumes the risk that tricare will not cover things like revisions.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Mar 5 at 2016 10:48 AM

2016-03-05T10:48:56-05:00

When I was in, No but having said that like anything else it wasn't quite that Black and White. Military Doctors don't need much of an excuse to Practice their Skills and use it as a Teaching Opportunity. I had I think 36 Moles Removed by one of the leading Cosmetic Surgeons in the Navy at the time. He was at the Navy Clinic US Embassy London and I was across the street at Naval Communications Unit London. Because they could "Possibly" be cancerous he had a blast with 3 different sessions cutting on me and teaching the Corpsman.