Medicare Services for the Obese

Obese seniors are less able to exercise the way younger people are, though it is certainly possible. However, they need to be careful of high impact workouts, and carefully monitor their diet so they do not lose vital nutrients and minerals. Medicare has not addressed the obesity problem in seniors in a comprehensive way, but that is about to change. Medicare has announced that they will begin paying for obesity screening and counseling as part of its services to seniors. This is intended to help the obese and prevent future recipients from becoming obese. It will make new forms of treatment available to those that previously could not afford help, and address all the complications from obesity, not just weight.

Obesity in America

Obesity has reached near epidemic levels in the United States, forcing medical providers and insurance providers to address new problems and seek new treatments for obesity. People who are obese face many complications that can endanger their lives and their quality of life. It is estimated that obesity costs the United States around 147 billion dollars a year, and will only continue to rise. This accounts for almost 21 percent of all healthcare costs. While obesity is a serious issue and impacts children and adults, seniors are some of the most vulnerable. Given their age and any other medical complications they face, obese seniors face some unique challenges.

Controversy over Medicare’s New Obesity Coverage

Not everyone is supports Medicare’s decision to expand its treatment for the obese. Some detractors argue that obesity is a self-inflicted condition and taxpayers should not be held liable for an individual’s choices. Other critics have a proposed a more sweeping approach to the obesity problem in the United States, instead of just focusing on Medicare. Some of the proposed solutions include stricter regulation of restaurants and fast food businesses, as well as more complete nutrition labels. There are also concerns that doctors and other healthcare providers are not sufficiently trained in weight-related issues to offer effective counseling or solutions to patients, and that they may not seek the proper training on top of their other responsibilities.

Common Weight-Loss Treatments

Private and public insurance companies are often willing to pay for some additional weight-loss treatments, as it is seen as preventative or curative and can ultimately keep health costs down. Each company and policy varies on what will be covered, so specific questions should be addressed to the insurance provider or broker. However, some of the most common treatments generally covered by insurance include:

• Bariatric surgeries, including Gastric Bypass and Adjustable Gastric Bypass surgeries. These procedures create a small stomach punch that is connected to the large intestine, bypassing some of the small intestine. This allows for less food intake and better absorption of nutrients.
• Nutritional counseling. Private or group sessions with a licensed nutritionist can help people learn to properly portion their meals and make sure they are eating healthy food instead.
• Therapy. For some, obesity is the result of poor choices brought on by psychological problems. Therapy with a psychologist may be able to determine the underlying problems, and then treat the symptoms.