A number of healthcare organizations have signed an open letter pushing for employers to cover obesity the same way they would for any other chronic condition.
The coalition – which includes organizations such as the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, American College of Physicians, American Nurses Association, Diabetes Leadership Council and the National Medical Association – said in the letter that when obesity coverage isn't available, patients are left to seek riskier alternatives or forgo treatment altogether.
Citing a GlobalData study, the coalition said obesity costs employers about $425.5 billion annually. Covering obesity care also has the potential to help lower costs through reduced absenteeism, increased productivity and a healthier workforce, it said.
Specifically, the coalition was promoting the EveryBODY Covered campaign, which encourages employers to prioritize obesity within workplace healthcare and equity strategies.
WHAT'S THE IMPACT?
According to the American Medical Association, obesity has long been recognized as a chronic, treatable disease with many causes, including some outside one's control. Citing the Obesity Medicine Association, the coalition said comprehensive obesity coverage should include the full range of evidence-based care options, including medical nutrition therapy, intensive behavioral therapy, surgery and FDA-approved medications.
The EveryBODY Covered campaign, the groups said, encourages employers to recognize obesity as a chronic disease with causes that include those outside an individual's control. This includes an understanding of the impact the disease has on all aspects of employee wellbeing, including physical, social and financial considerations.
The coalition called for companies to review their benefits offerings for opportunities to better support obesity care for employees, and to communicate coverage as a priority to benefits administrators.
Coverage for obesity care that is comprehensive should include four pillars, the groups said: medical nutrition therapy, intensive behavioral therapy, FDA-approved medications and bariatric surgery.
The organizations also called for working against weight bias at every level of the company, and offered some strategies for addressing weight stigma, including educating employees about weight bias; using person-first, inclusive language; establishing an employee resource group (ERG); and providing reasonable accommodations for employees living with obesity (such as telework and sick leave policies).
THE LARGER TREND
According to the American Medical Association, obesity is associated with more than 200 serious health complications, such as sleep apnea, heart disease and diabetes, as well as those that especially impact women, such as breast cancer and fertility issues.
Women living with obesity are often stigmatized by coworkers, less likely to be promoted and earn as much as 12% less than their colleagues, according to the Obesity Action Coalition.
Jeff Lagasse is editor of Healthcare Finance News.
Email: jlagasse@himss.org
Healthcare Finance News is a HIMSS Media publication.