Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina announced a new program on Tuesday to treat obesity as a medical condition. The program, dubbed Healthy Lifestyle Choices, will take affect April 1, 2005, for employer groups and individuals enrolled in the company's Blue Care, Blue Options or Blue Advantage plans. The program is designed to help Blue Cross members lose weight and avoid costly medical problems linked to obesity. Some 1.1 million of the company's 3 million members will be eligible for the benefits, which will include:
Coverage of four doctors visits annually and related testing for the evaluation and treatment of obesity. Coverage fo two prescription weight-loss drugs, Meridia and Xenical, when medically necessary. Services from licenses dietitians. The company has also identified 12 doctors in seven practices as Bariatric Surgery Centers for Excellence. None of those facilities are in the Triad. The company says unhealthy weight can lead to health problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease and arthritis. It said that its obese members incurred 32 percent more in claims and medical expenses than normal-weight members.
The Healthy Lifestyle Choices program will not be available to people enrolled in the State Health Plan, the Federal Employee Program or the company's Medicare Supplemental plans.
© 2004 American City Business Journals Inc.
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