Medicare Obesity Counseling

Medicare obesity counseling can help you lose weight. With over 100 million obese adults, America needs all the help it can get. The latest CDC obesity facts show 42.4% of adults are obese. Moreover, CDC reports 9.2% of adults are severely obese. 

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Find out if you are one of the many obese Americans.

Are You Obese?

You can calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI) to determine if you are obese. Enter your height and weight into the calculator to determine your BMI. An obese BMI equals 30 or greater.

Does your BMI indicate obesity? You can get referrals for obesity counseling during your Medicare Annual Wellness Visit.

Due to Coronavirus (COVID-19), Medicare Part B covers telehealth counseling. You can communicate with a licensed psychologist and get Medicare obesity counseling at home using the Internet. For example, you can do a video call using a smartphone or computer.

During your AWV, your doctor does a health risk assessment. It may identify cognitive impairments such as Alzheimer’s and physiological risks such as obesity. 

Many life events can lead to weight gain, such as:

• Senior retirement
• Losing a spouse
• Depression

Counseling can help you make healthy lifestyle changes. So what exactly is Medicare Obesity Counseling?

Medicare Obesity Counseling

Medicare Part B covers obesity screening and behavioral counseling when you have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. Moreover, Medicare pays for your obesity behavioral therapy, so it’s FREE to you! The screening measures your height and weight to determine your BMI and includes a dietary assessment. Counseling helps you lose weight through diet and physical activity. 

Furthermore, losing weight can qualify you for a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plan.

After your initial Open Enrollment Period (OEP), Medicare Supplement insurance companies can deny you coverage. OEP ends three months after your 65th birthday month. Anytime after this period, you could be denied Medigap coverage.

For example, you want to switch to a different Medigap Plan or switch from Medicare Advantage to Medicare Supplement Plan. In these cases, underwriting must ask you health questions, which include your height and weight. Read “Medicare Supplement Insurance Underwriting“ to discover the BMIs that may disqualify you.