Does Medicare Cover Weight Loss Programs?

Should you possess a body mass index (BMI) that exceeds 29, Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) provides coverage for obesity evaluations and behavior therapy designed to assist you in shedding pounds through dietary changes and physical activity. This therapeutic guidance is included in your Medicare benefits if it is delivered by your primary healthcare provider or another approved healthcare provider within a primary care environment (such as a doctor’s office), enabling the integration of your custom preventive approach with your overall healthcare.

For instance, should weight reduction be essential for the management of medical conditions like diabetes, hypothyroidism, and heart disease (to list a few), Medicare will take care of the associated expenses.

Furthermore, if your physician recommends that slimming down is vital prior to undergoing an operation, in an effort to prevent complications, Medicare will contribute to those costs.

Medicare contributes to the expenses for services and initiatives like:
– An initial evaluation concerning your dietary habits and physical activities.
– Guidance on health-related issues.
– Instruction on nutrition and physical exercises.
– Subsequent appointments to observe your dietary regimen and the progress of your weight loss journey.
– Up to three hours of one-on-one counseling services in the first year, followed by two hours annually in the subsequent years.

Discover more at Medicare.gov here