Obesity Coverage Gap: Consumers Perceive Low Coverage for Obesity Treatments Even When Workplace Wellness Programs Target BMI

Abstract

Objective: Evidence-based obesity treatments, such as bariatric surgery, are not considered essential health benefits under the Affordable Care Act. Employer-sponsored wellness programs with incentives based on biometric outcomes are allowed and often used despite mixed evidence regarding their effec- tiveness. This study examines consumers’ perceptions of their coverage for obesity treatments and expo- sure to workplace wellness programs. Methods: A total of 7,378 participants completed an online survey during 2015–2016. Respondents answered questions regarding their health coverage for seven medical services and exposure to employer wellness programs that target weight or body mass index (BMI). Using v2 tests, associations between per- ceptions of exposure to employer wellness programs and coverage for medical services were examined. Differences between survey years were also assessed. Results: Most respondents reported they did not have health coverage for obesity treatments, but more of the respondents with employer wellness programs reported having coverage. Neither the perception of cov- erage for obesity treatments nor exposure to wellness programs increased between 2015 and 2016. Conclusions: Even when consumers have exposure to employer wellness programs that target BMI, their health insurance often excludes obesity treatments. Given the clinical and cost-effectiveness of such treat- ments, reducing that coverage gap may mitigate obesity’s individual- and population-level effects.