Since 2010, the STOP Obesity Alliance's research team has conducted an annual analysis of Medicaid coverage for obesity prevention and treatment. In this year's analysis, we found no significant changes to coverage for pharmaceutical therapy or bariatric surgery since last year's report.
To date:
- 13 states cover obesity medications of which 5 provide limited coverage
- 36 states and the District of Columbia exclude obesity medications
- 48 states and the District of Columbia cover bariatric surgery
- 2 states exclude bariatric surgery
The limited number of states that provide support for medications and the lack of progress by the remaining states emphasize how far we have to go. Despite five FDA approved drugs on the market, there are 36 states that restrict access to pharmacotherapy for obesity. Medicaid beneficiaries in these states are typically able to access treatment for obesity-related comorbidities like diabetes or hypertension, but they cannot receive treatment for their obesity.
Even the apparent extensive coverage for bariatric surgery may not be as promising a sign as it would appear. For many of these states, the counseling and pharmacotherapy required to qualify for surgery are not covered, essentially leaving beneficiaries without access to surgery, even if it is technically covered by the state.
In addition to exploring coverage policies for medication and surgery, we also examined coverage of nutritional assessment and counseling. We found little change to the 2016 policy manuals:
- 29 states cover at least one obesity-related preventive care service
- 30 states cover at least one obesity-related nutritional consult service
- 14 states cover at least one obesity-related disease management service
- 31 states cover at least one obesity-related behavioral consultation service
As we know, the needs of patients with obesity vary, and patients require access to a wide range of treatments for effective management. Extending coverage for a broader range of obesity-related services and treatments will be an important next step. However, we will also need to consider the utilization of these procedures. It does patients no good if state Medicaid agencies cover services that primary care providers never deliver.
Continued work around this issue certainly needs to include policy change, but we will also need to do a better job of educating providers on the evidence-base for obesity treatment and the available services that align with that evidence. Significant change will require a multi-pronged approach to further improve access to and delivery of obesity medicine.
Sincerely,
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Alliance & Member News
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STOP Director, Bill Dietz, Publishes Inaugural Huffington Post Blog
Obesity Medicine Association launches Obesity Medicine Academy, an online learning platform for clinical obesity education
Health care professionals can now conveniently find clinical, comprehensive education about treating obesity online. The Obesity Medicine Academy is a new online learning platform brought to you by the Obesity Medicine Association (OMA). The academy library contains video presentations of all of OMA's top-rated education, presented in an easy-to-use format. Simply visit OMAcademy.org and browse by topic or speaker to find more than 250 presentations on topics related to the diagnosis, treatment, reversal, and prevention of obesity. Topics include nutrition, physical activity, behavior, medication, practice management, co-morbidities, and more. Watch the presentations online or download the audio or video files to watch at your leisure. After watching a presentation, return to OMAcademy.org to claim your CME/CE credit and track what you've earned. Further your education or start learning about clinical obesity treatment today at OMAcademy.org!
American Institute for Cancer Research Releases Report Linking Obesity to Cancer
For the first time, a systematic review of the global research has found that drinking alcohol, eating processed meat and being overweight increase the risk of developing stomach cancers. The report was released today by the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) and the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF). The report Diet, Nutrition, Physical Activity and Stomach Cancer, which links cancers of the upper stomach (cardia) to having overweight or obese, bringing the types of cancers now linked to carrying excess body fat to eleven. The report shows a 23 percent increased risk of cardia stomach cancer per every five-unit-increase in Body Mass Index.
The Canadian Obesity Network Launches Two CME Modules
Why Can't My Patient Lose Weight? Effective Obesity Management in Primary Care uses case-based scenarios in two vignettes to help practitioners identify the root causes of obesity and individualize treatment for their patients. The Advanced Obesity Management Program is designed for healthcare professionals who understand basic obesity principles, but want to learn more. Links and suggests are provided for anyone prepping for the American Boar of Obesity Medicine (ABOM) exam or who would like to delve further within a specific topic. Two of eight modules are now live, with the rest expected in July. www.obesitynetwork.ca
The Hepatitis Foundation International to Hold Three May Meetings
The meetings/events will be held on the following dates:
Call to Action: A National Response to Hepatitis C Treatment Among The Hard to Reach, Hard to Treat Meeting
May 18, 2016
Crowne Plaza The Hamilton from 9 AM- 4PM
Health and Hepatitis Testing and Screening Event
May 20, 2016
The Mall at Prince George's from 12-4 PM
Providence Symposium: A Call The Community to Eradicate Hepatitis C by Addressing Barriers
May 26, 2016
Ross Auditorium in Providence Hospital from 1-3:30 PM
Earn up to 16 CE Credits at the 2016 Obesity Action Coalition's National Convention!
The 2016 Your Weight Matters National Convention is an educational event for any individual who wants to effectively manage weight and health. We encourage you to join us this August 25-28 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center for three days of expert-led education and the unique opportunity to learn what your patients learn! Not only will you gain a better understanding of what your patients are facing, nurses and some health professionals can earn up to 16 CE Credits by attending. The OAC's National Convention brings together health experts in fields such as nutrition, weight, exercise, obesity research and many more. The agenda for this year's conference including more than 50 diverse topics, including these sessions you won't want to miss:
Health by Design: Creating a Mindful Eating Environment Presented by Food Psychologist and Best-selling Author Brian Wansink, PhD
The Great Debate Series: Can You be Healthy and Have Obesity? Presented by Award-winning Researcher Steve Blair, PED and Obesity Medicine Association President Debbie Horn, DO, MPH, FOMA
The Power to Transform Your Life! Presented by "Extreme Weight Loss" Medical Director Holly Wyatt, MD
Energy In, Energy Out - Rethinking the Balance Presented by Award-winning Researcher Steve Blair, PED
The Great Debate Series: Food Addiction Presented by Research Neuroscientist Nicole Avena, PhD and Health Psychologist Nina Crowley, PhD, RDN, LD And many more! The top-notch education provided for you at the Convention is available for the low cost of just $55/day or for those wanting to experience the fun of the full event, you can choose the Full Registration option for $145! These low cost CE Credits will be available until June 1, when all Convention registration options will increase. To get the best prices, please click here to register now!
Help Spread the Word - Tell Your Patients about the Meeting! While this is a fantastic opportunity for health professionals, the core focus of this meeting is to present your patients with the best methods for managing their weight and health. This is a great place for them to come and learn ways to become healthier, get their questions answered and get to know others who are the same journey with weight. If you are interested in receiving flyers to share with your patients or in the community, please email OAC's Marketing and Communications Manager, Eileen Blake, at eblake@obesityaction.org.
American Board of Obesity Medicine Letter from the Chairman
Over the last six months, we have added numerous diplomates to the exam item writing committee and this group now numbers more than 40. These volunteers come from many different fields of medicine and incorporate obesity medicine into their practices in different ways. Earlier this month, ABOM launched a new certification management system. This serves as the initial application portal for new candidates and a "home base" for current diplomates. With the number of applicants growing quickly, it also has created an improved process that will allow staff members to carefully and accurately review applications in a timely manner. This will enhance our ability to meet the needs of applicants eager to move through the application process. Diplomates can benefit from the new system by having the flexibility to manage their recertification process continually throughout the 10-year term. There is even the ability for diplomates to order additional diplomas through the new system. I encourage you to explore the portal at https://abom.learningbuilder.com. Finally, ABOM also launched a new website earlier this month. With a modern layout that clearly guides users through the eligibility, application and recertification process, the website is another example of using technology to support the ABOM mission. With diplomates and applicants leading busy lives, the web site upgrade meets the important threshold of being easily accessible on all devices: desktop, laptop, and perhaps most importantly, mobile.
$6.5 Million Grant to The Ohio State College of Nursing Will Create a Landmark National Institute on Evidence-based Practice
Summit planned for Oct. 18-20, 2017, to officially launch the Helene Fuld Health Trust National Institute for Evidence-based Practice in Nursing & Healthcare
A transformational $6.5 million grant has been awarded to The Ohio State University College of Nursing to establish The Helene Fuld Health Trust National Institute for Evidence-based Practice in Nursing & Healthcare. This institute will be the national hub for the teaching of best practices to improve healthcare quality and patient outcomes, working with healthcare systems to implement and sustain EBP, and conducting research to determine best strategies to translate evidence-based interventions into real world clinical settings. The new institute, which will launch with a national summit on EBP on Oct. 18-20, 2017, will accelerate and expand the efforts of the College of Nursing's Center for Transdisciplinary Evidence-based Practice (CTEP), including:
- Working with nursing faculty across the nation to integrate EBP throughout their curriculums to produce the highest caliber of evidence-based nursing graduates.
- Educating nursing students at all levels and nurses on how to access the latest gold standards of care and also how to implement as well as to sustain EBP.
- Assisting nursing leaders and in hospitals and healthcare systems to advance and sustain evidence-based care to improve the safety and quality of care that is provided to patients and families.
- Conducting research on the most effective interventions to teach and rapidly accelerate the translation of evidence-based interventions into clinical settings.
- Providing a web site of the best practices and resources to enhance healthcare quality and core performance metrics
- Conducting national webinars and summits on the best and latest evidence to guide the best nursing practice.
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News Round-Up
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