
- Volume 0 0
Medicare Recognizes Obesity as Illness
With the epidemic of obesity so widespread that it is impacting the economy with astronomical health care costs associated with obesity-related illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes, Medicare has now recognized obesity as an illness and will cover medical claims for obesity treatment. Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson recently told a Senate panel, "With this new policy, Medicare will be able to review scientific evidence in order to determine which interventions improve health outcomes for seniors and disabled Americans who are obese." This will also allow Americans to make claims for stomach surgery and diet programs. Medicare covers treatment for illnesses caused by obesity, eg, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, several types of cancer, and gallbladder disease, but coverage for weight loss therapies was not available. The language of the Medicare policy previously stated that obesity was not an illness and therefore not covered. Detractors of this policy change feel that the government is needlessly intervening to make Americans thinner. This revised policy is not expected to change Medicare coverage and impact taxpayers immediately. Further investigation is needed as to which therapies are the most effective and should be covered.
Articles in this issue
about 21 years ago
Fluoroquinolones: Focus on Safetyabout 21 years ago
Computer Retrains Kids to Eat Properlyabout 21 years ago
"Importation" of Prescription Drugsabout 21 years ago
Courts Wrestle with Overtime Pay for Pharmacistsabout 21 years ago
COMPOUNDING HOTLINEabout 21 years ago
Clinical Update on the Treatment of Constipation in Adultsabout 21 years ago
Texas Hospital Installs Omnicell Technologyabout 21 years ago
Happy Harry's Installs Robotic Dispensing Systemsabout 21 years ago
Gastric Bypass Causes Drop in Appetite Stimulationabout 21 years ago
Heart Attack Risk Looms Large for Obese KidsNewsletter
Stay informed on drug updates, treatment guidelines, and pharmacy practice trends—subscribe to Pharmacy Times for weekly clinical insights.