Great news for South Carolina residents enrolled in a BlueCross Blueshield or Bluechoice marketplace health plan! According to an internal memo, and this article by the Charleston Post & Courier, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina (BCBS-SC) and the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) have reached an agreement to include MUSC in network effective October 1st, 2016.

Per the release:

Medical University of South Carolina health services are now available to more BlueCross® BlueShield® of South Carolina members as the organizations reached agreement for participation in the health plan’s individual exchange and BlueChoice® HealthPlan Medicaid networks. The organizations have a longstanding contract for commercial members.
Specifically, the newly signed contracts are for Affordable Care Act (ACA) plan offerings (healthcare.gov exchange and private exchange) BlueEssentials and Blue Option, and BlueChoice HealthPlan Medicaid. The terms of the contracts became effective Oct. 1, 2016.

The agreement includes all MUSC facilities and providers, thus providing access to MUSC specialty services not found in other facilities throughout the state.

“We are pleased that MUSC Health and BlueCross were able to work together on an agreement that works for both organizations, but most importantly, keeps South Carolina’s citizens connected to the health care expertise they need to live better, healthier lives,” said Patrick J. Cawley, M.D., MUSC Health chief executive officer and MUSC vice president of Health Affairs.

Scott Graves, president of the BlueCross division, said, “We are pleased to add MUSC to our provider network. Increased access and greater choice adds value for our members.”

Credit to the MUSC Office Communications & Marketing for details!