Obesity Treatment Is No Longer An Option
People with a BMI above 40 are robbed of 6 ½ years of life. Those higher approach 14 years of lost life. This is complicated by the fact that morbidity (suffering) from obesity decreases the quality of life and enjoyment as the BMI crosses 30. If suffering and death ( 100,000 from obesity per year) ½ the death rate of breast cancer, is not enough BMI people greater than 30 spend $3500 more on health care per year and as the BMI crosses 35 heading to 40 the yearly cost approaches $6000. This is a problem for individuals, families and businesses.
In a business, how does treating obesity through your company wellness program help your employees and your organization? The current health care regulations have allowed Participatory and Health Contingent Programs. Health Contingent Programs can have penalties or benefits up to 30% of premiums for employee cost. ERISA indicates that everyone must be involved and it must be outcome based or activity based. Smoking is up to 50% benefit or penalty. The benefits may be gift cards, discounts on premiums, waived co-payments. There is a battle between Obamacare, American Disability Act, and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on obesity but like smoking those overweight consume the dollars and the other members of a family or business pay the bill.
Weight loss at 10% or higher yields immediate results for a business or a family, not like cigarette cessation that takes years to maybe see a benefit. Immediate yield is less dollars spent, less medications, better employee engagement, and higher productivity.
Utilizing the HSA and FSA within a company can facilitate participation. Weight loss is great but what is GREATER is Weight Loss For Life. Maintenance is the key word. This takes time and coaching to change the bad habits. There are 23 hormones made or managed by fat cells trying to put fat back into fat cells. It takes about 12 months to find a new YOU so you do not continue or resume being a carbohydrate hoarder.
Costs!!! People ALWAYS say they cannot afford weight loss programs but they continue to afford high carbohydrate dense foods, inactivity and denial of long term health effects.
Chasing the American Dream is a book that addresses the cost of entering a potentially successful weight loss program. You make it successful by being coached to improve your
lifestyle approach. This book estimates a moderate grocery plan for an individual is $264/month or $66 per week and the USDA states it is $98/week. Eating out at restaurant is listed in this book as $20 per week. This seems low also with a McDonalds 1000 calorie lunch is close to $10 with tax. If you eat lunch our you spend $10/day, $40 per week and $160 per month.
Weight loss programs vary in cost but if you commit to a program and do not buy Starbucks at $4.53 per coffee your out of pocket expense should be @ $25 per week or less.
If your BMI is greater than 30 you can expect $250/month more in copays, medications and treatments.
If your BMI is greater than 35 you can expect $542/month more in copays, medications and treatments.
Soooo Obesity is the only medical intervention that yields health results NOW and reduces your expenses for yourself, family and business
Dr. B
