Obesity fight gains way with expanded payer coverage

Effective Jul 17, 2013

Published Jul 17, 2013

Last Reviewed Jul 16, 2013

All insurance plans’ coverage for obesity treatments – from bariatric surgery to Weight Watchers memberships – will expand as a part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). But it’s up to the individual plan.

Obesity screening and counseling is covered by most plans and Medicare as an ACA preventive service with no cost to patients, USA Today reports. Part B News readers know about a variety of preventive services that Medicare covers and how to incorporate them into their workflows.

By January 2014, payers have to cover obesity treatments if a patient’s body mass index indicates such.

Providers then can offer weight-loss guidance and refer patients to other services and programs. Some plans cover phone counseling, while others will pay for health and lifestyle coaches.

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