Preparing for Surgery
A little planning before your procedure can make recovery smoother and less expensive.
Review the 2027 Benefits eGuide for complete plan details.
At a Glance
From understanding your costs to arranging time off to recover, several benefits work together to support you before, during, and after surgery.
Before Your Procedure
Check whether prior authorization is needed. Your Benefits Value Advisor can help set up any required prior authorization ahead of your surgery.
Set up a medical directive or will. If you're enrolled in the LegalEASE legal plan, call them to help you set up a medical directive or will prior to your surgery.
Plan the Cost
Understand your costs. Call your Benefits Value Advisor to get a cost estimate for your procedure and confirm your in-network provider and facility.
Set aside pre-tax dollars. A Health Savings Account (HSA) or Health Care Flexible Spending Account (HCFSA) can help cover costs that aren't fully covered by BCBSTX for things like testing, scans, imaging, durable medical equipment, or physical therapy expenses.
Save receipts for anything you pay out of pocket, so you can file for an HCFSA reimbursement. Always keep your HSA or HCFSA expense receipts — the IRS may require documentation to verify eligible expenses for tax purposes.
Use Hospital Indemnity if enrolled. Voya's Hospital Indemnity insurance pays you a cash benefit directly — $1,000 for a hospital admission, plus $200 per day for up to 30 days of a covered stay — to use however you need.
Planning Your Time Off
Use your Paid Time Off (PTO) for shorter recoveries. If your recovery time is less than 7 days, use your PTO. Full-time Coworkers become eligible to use PTO after 90 days of service.
Family and Medical Leave (FMLA) covers up to 12 weeks of leave to care for yourself. Contact Voya to apply for leave. You may qualify for state-provided leave. Contact your state agency for details. Don't forget to inform your manager and Human Resources.
Protect your income during recovery. If Voya approves you for Short-Term Disability, you’ll receive a weekly benefit of 50% of your pre-disability base pay for up to 26 weeks, starting after a 7-day waiting period. If your recovery takes longer and you're enrolled in Long-Term Disability, it can begin on day 181, if approved, paying 60% of your base pay.
Recovery at Home
Ease back pain, joint pain, or stiffness with Virtual Physical Therapy. Hinge Health is free for you and covered dependents 18+ enrolled in a BCBSTX medical plan — a digital MSK clinic with guided exercise therapy, wearable sensors, and 1-on-1 coaching from a physical therapist — no referral or diagnosis needed to register. (After surgery, consult with your surgeon to ensure you are cleared for activity before participating.)
Use virtual care for follow-up questions. Can't reach your surgeon right away? Teladoc Health is available for just $10 per visit for non-urgent questions during your recovery.
Lean on the EAP. Surgery and recovery can bring stress or anxiety — the EAP offers five free, confidential counseling sessions for you and members of your household per issue per year.
Keep this handy through every step
Contact a Benefits Value Advisor to assist with any prior authorizations
Set up a medical directive or will if enrolled in LegalEASE
Get a cost estimate and confirm in-network care through your Benefits Value Advisor
Set aside HSA or HCFSA for costs BCBSTX doesn't cover
Submit HCFSA-eligible expenses for reimbursement
Submit a Hospital Indemnity claim if you're admitted
Apply for FMLA and disability if you'll need extended time off
Set up Hinge Health for at-home physical therapy support
Utilize Teladoc Health virtual care for non-urgent questions during your recovery, when you can't reach your surgeon right away
Use the EAP if you need support managing stress before or after your procedure
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