Category: Surgery News

Insurance Coverage and Weight Loss Surgery - New Research

We bring you the latest news and information related to bariatric weight loss surgery. Here is today's news:

Insurance coverage has long been an issue for those seeking bariatric weight-loss surgery. Traditionally, most insurance companies have viewed as bariatric surgical procedures as an elective surgery, and would therefore not cover the procedures.

Over the years, however, an increasing number of insurance companies have begun to cover weight loss surgery. According to new research released in September, companies could actually save money in the long run by insuring bariatric procedures.

The study was published last month in The American Journal of Managed Care (AJMC). A research team of economic experts and bariatric surgeons reviewed the insurance claims of nearly 4,000 patients of weight loss surgery, comparing them to the claims filed by obese patients who did not have surgery. The researchers claim that insurers save money in the long run by cover bariatric surgeries, because the overall health care costs of the patient decreases in the years following the surgery.

While the logic behind this study would seem to make sense, you must also consider that is was funded by Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc., a Johnson and Johnson company that manufactures the Realize Band for bariatric surgeries. Hardly an unbiased study.

Related Articles:
Will Insurance Cover Weight Loss Surgery?
The Cost of Bariatric Surgery