Medicare: Modifying Coverage for Type 2 Diabetes Surgery

Bariatric surgery, also known as weight-loss surgery, involves various surgical procedures of the gastrointestinal tract to decrease nutrient absorption and intake, such as stomach stapling and reducing the stomach size. This type of surgery is oftentimes used for those who are severely obese. Up until recently, Medicare covered bariatric surgery for those with Type 2 diabetes. Now Medicare has announced that they will only be covering the surgery for those with Type 2 diabetes if they have a body mass index (BMI) of 35 and over; a BMI of 40 and over is regarded as morbidly obese.

The following article talks about Medicare ’s decision not to cover bariatric surgery for those with a BMI under 35 and speaks with Medicare spokesman Don McLeod. The article also discusses the reasons for the agency’s decision, the cost of the surgery, and speaks about various studies and trials that have been held over the last year involving those who are morbidly obese.

Medicare Likely to Drop Coverage of Surgery for Combating Diabetes




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