HPSP - Braces in medical school?

[ChartaBona]

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Hey all. Incoming 1st Year Army HPSP medical student here. Newly commissioned and everything 😀

Now that I'm past MEPS, I was wondering if the Army would allow me to get braces and have jaw surgery to correct an open bite. If it is allowed, would their insurance cover any of it, or will I have to burn through most of my signing bonus?

 

[idq1i]

I'm sorry to hear that.

Back to your question: You are not covered by milmed's insurance (TriCare) unless you are doing an active duty rotation in your 3rd/4th year. I doubt you will have the time to get this done on their dime even if you hold off until you are on your ADTs

As far as actually getting it done, they won't care unless the surgery will give you permanent disability, or if it will interfere with you attending officer basic between 1-2nd year

 

[Snowdon48]

From what I understand if your med school requires a certain health insurance the HPSP will pay for you to get it. Can any current or past HPSP'ers confirm (or debunk) this?

 

[idq1i]

Yes, HPSP will reimburse you for a school-mandated policy. What that policy covers depends on the school-ins company contract.

 

[surfdr]

As a member of the IRR, you are eligible to purchase the Tricare dental plan. It covers braces (up to a certain maximum), and overall is a good dental policy for the price. It is through MetLife, so most dentists will accept this insurance (see link below). I hope everything works out and you can get the work done you need.

http://www.tricare.mil/dental

 

[bogatyr]

Hey all. Incoming 1st Year Army HPSP medical student here. Newly commissioned and everything 😀

Now that I'm past MEPS, I was wondering if the Army would allow me to get braces and have jaw surgery to correct an open bite. If it is allowed, would their insurance cover any of it, or will I have to burn through most of my signing bonus?

If you are on HPSP you do whatever you need to do regarding your medical care. You don't need to get permission from the Army. But once a year you update them with any changes in your medical status.

I think that every hospital in the military that has a residency program has oral surgery and orthodontics. I had braces and orthognathic surgery during residency. Used one of my 3 weeks of leave for recovery and then went back to work. That way my out of pocket costs were 0. The orthodontist and surgeons understood I was a resident and were very accomodating in scheduling appointments. You may consider waiting if you want to save some money.

 

[TheGoose]

^^ or wait until you go on AD and get either braces and/or surgery for free.

 

[cautionmaster]

Years ago, ADT rotations were 30 days of duration but you were on active orders for 45 days. That leaves 15 days to get it done, just gotta work out the registration part.

 

[ChartaBona]

If you are on HPSP you do whatever you need to do regarding your medical care. You don't need to get permission from the Army. But once a year you update them with any changes in your medical status.

I think that every hospital in the military that has a residency program has oral surgery and orthodontics. I had braces and orthognathic surgery during residency. Used one of my 3 weeks of leave for recovery and then went back to work. That way my out of pocket costs were 0. The orthodontist and surgeons understood I was a resident and were very accomodating in scheduling appointments. You may consider waiting if you want to save some money.

Wow. I didn't think it was possible to have braces + surgery during residency, especially not in the military. In an old pre-med thread, people told me it was a very long, painful recovery that debilitated them for months.

 

[Kingfisher]

Wow. I didn't think it was possible to have braces + surgery during residency, especially not in the military. In an old pre-med thread, people told me it was a very long, painful recovery that debilitated them for months.

Each program is a little different with elective surgeries. Mine would not let this happen as it would potentially impact your status. If you did the surgery, and their were complications, you would take more time away from the rotation. My program would not allow for more than 5 working days (7 if you count the weekend) away from any rotation. Any more and you had to re-do the month. If you re-do the month, you are now behind and off cycle. 👎