S.C. to spend $2.4 million on weight loss surgeries for state workers

COLUMBIA — South Carolina lawmakers think they can ultimately save cash by paying up-front for 100 obese state workers to have weight loss surgery that can cost up to $24,000 a pop.

The state Budget and Control Board voted today to approve a pilot program, authorized by the state Legislature, to spend $2.4 million on gastric bypass and Lap-Band surgery for the state’s heaviest employees, under the state health plan. The surgeries will be offered after Jan. 1 and be divided among the state’s regions on a first come, first served basis.

The state health plan will monitor the 100 patients for 18 months to see if the pilot program is cost-effective. When an obese person loses a significant amount of weight, other health issues such as diabetes or asthma may be reduced or go away.

Across the state, 62.8 percent of adults are overweight and obese, which is higher than the national rate of 60.8 percent, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. South Carolina’s children are also heavier than kids elsewhere. Nearly 34 percent of children in the state are overweight and obese, compared to 31.6 percent nationally.

About 400,000 state workers are covered by the health plan, including educators and retirees. The state does not track how many employees are overweight or obese.

To qualify for the surgery in the pilot program, an individual must have a body mass index of at least 40 and undergo physical and psychological exams. Body mass index measures body fat based on a person’s height and weight. A person who is 5 foot, 7 inches must weigh more than 255 pounds to qualify for the surgery.

State lawmakers also considered charging overweight workers on the state insurance plan a higher premium but rejected the idea. This year, the state began charging smokers on the state health plan a $25 monthly surcharge.

Read more in Friday’s editions of The Post and Courier.