More than 2 in 3 adults in this country are considered overweight or obese, according to the control and disease prevention centers.
As our wagts expand, then make the number of related medical problems. Obesity contributes to type 2 diabetes, coronary disease, stroke, hypertension and arthritis, and costs our billion dollar health system every year.
ACT ACCEPTIVE Requires insurance companies to cover obesity screening and counseling at no cost for you. But with other common weight loss treatments, coverage varies depending on where you live and what health plan you have.
Here are 3 weight loss services and your insurance plan can cover.
. 1. Weight loss screening and counseling
Most health plans, including all policies sold through the health insurance market of their State, are now required to offer free sorting to obesity as part of access guaranteed to free preventive care.If screening shows your body mass index (BMI) to be more than 30 years old, you qualify for free weight loss counseling as well.
"What consumers should count, wait and demand, is what is called behavioral support intensive for obesity," says Ted Kyle, a spokesman for the obesity society. "It should be covered by all insurance plans under the affordable CARE Act," he says.
However, the law is not terribly specific in the definition of what these interventions should include. As a result, services vary widely.Even if plans sold through state markets have to cover a set of essential health benefits that include treatment for obesity, they have the flexibility to decide exactly what is included.
According to the obesity society, only five states specifically require plans sold through their markets to cover weight loss programs.That often requires you to challenge your health plan to get the services that you are legally authorized.
"Bottom line is the health plans are agreed with inconsistencies about covering the necessary medical care for this chronic disease and for preventing their complications," says Kyle.Check the details of your plan and be prepared to attract your insurer's decision if your care is denied.
Diet Weight Loss Meal Plan - 3 Weight Loss Services Your Plan May Cover
. 2. Bariatric surgery
There is no specific need under the law that health plans cover the cost of bariatric surgery, but in most medicare and work-based insurance cases do.Contrast, only 23 states require private health plans sold through their markets to pay for the procedure.
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Even if your plan cover bariatric surgery, you will still have to demonstrate a valid medical need for this. Generally, you must have a BMI of 40 or higher or BMI of 35 with at least one condition related to obesity, such as type 2 diabetes or heart disease.
In addition, be sure to ask about coverage for follow-up procedures that you may need after bariatric surgery, such as removing excess skin or even a second surgery below the line. Kyle says that both are often needed and should be covered, but insurers usually deny care.
. 3. Weight loss medication
Health plans have a stained history that paid by weight loss drugs approved by the FDA, and Actionable Care Act does not require its coverage specifically.
Still, things are starting to change slowly for the better, says Kyle. "People often assume that weight loss drugs are not covered, and in the current environment, it is best not to assume," he says.
Usually, you will need to have an IMC of 30 or BMI of 27 with diseases related to obesity for weight loss medication to be covered.
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