State Employees/MUSC Options

OK...here I go again...I need help from ANY state employees that have had any weight loss surgery since January 1, 1995. I have heard from several people that had weight loss surgery thru MUSC Options that mostly reside in the lowcountry. I live in the Upstate and MUSC Options is NOT offered to us--only BCBS/State (which we all know will NOT cover this surgery no matter what), BlueChoice or Cigna HMO. I called the state benefits office and was told that NO state plan would cover this procedure. If there are those of you out there that have been successful, please let me know. If they offer a plan to one part of the state that will cover the surgery, then the state should offer a comparable plan to the upstate employees. After all, we are all state employees. Our benefits should be the same. Thank you for any help you can give.

I have MUSC Options and from what I understand it is the HMO for BlueChoice, which use to be Companion. I have to go on the BlueChoice web page to access my insurance account. I had surgery almost 3 weeks ago and was approved in 4 days. Call BlueChoice directly and ask them. I have found them very helpful. Good Luck, Julie

Thanks, Julie! I have tried to contact them, but they could not give me much info since I was not a member of that insurance plan. By any chance, do you have a policy booklet that details that this is covered? Would you be willing to share it with me? Cyndi

All I have is an old booklet for the MUSC Options (2004) or I would be more than happy too. Have you tried looking on BlueChoice web site, www.bluechoicesc.com (I think that is it). For MUSC Options, the information is actually under the exclusions. It states that it will not pay for any medical intervention for weight loss unless medically needed. That is actually how I found out they covered the surgery. I had called them to ask why would they give a discount for plastic surgery but not cover or give us a break for WLS. The rep was like, we cover it, as long as you met the criteria. That was a shock to me and I went forward from there. Also I would check with your state agency, they should have the booklets. If you do not have BlueChoice there are open periods that you are able to change your insurance company. However, I think it is only in October. But check with the person who handles your benefits about switching and when you can do it. I hope this helps. I wish you luck with journey. Please feel free to contact me if you need to. Julie