Bariatric Surgery: New Policy for Coverage Proposed for Medicare Recipients

摘要

More than 60% of the population in the United States is currently classified as overweight or obese. These people have an increased risk for several serious and costly diseases including hypertension, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, respiratory problems, and certain cancers (cndomctrial, breast, prostate, and colon). After extensive evidence reviews, on November 23, 2005, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a proposal to modify Medicare coverage for bariatric surgery. This proposal is intended to help reduce the significant health risks associated with obesity that may increase morbidity and mortality for the Medicare population.