Medicare and Weight Loss

Medicare does not cover weight loss plans, including Weight Watchers or Nutrisystem. Nor does Medicare cover some fitness equipment, including treadmills or other expensive exercise equipment, when you're on Medicare. Some Medicare Advantage plans will cover them as long as they're deemed durable medical equipment (DMA). Examples of this might be an elliptical trainer or treadmill.

Certain hospitals are covered when you sign up for a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. Those medications are usually only available through a physician's office. Some Medigap policies provide extra benefits if you enroll in a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan even though you don't use those medications at home. For most people, the extra cost is greater when signing up for a Medicare weight loss program than the added Medicare costs of Part D premiums.

Medicare does cover one type of weight loss program: loose weight. This means that it covers most of the devices, equipment, supplements, and nutritional products that are used to help you lose weight. The types of devices that are covered are those that are designed for home use. These include dietitians, exercise machines, and portable liposuction machines. They do not include things like water pumps, stair climbers, or rowing machines.

Medicare does pay for some weight loss counseling services, but they aren't always available. If you want to see a Medicare counselor to discuss your Medicare coverage and options, you'll have to get approved first. Your primary care physician can provide you with information on where you can go for care related issues. They may be able to refer you to an appropriate Medicare Part B advisor.

There are other places where you can get Medicare coverage without having to get approved. Some pharmacies offer diet programs. If you have Medicare Part A, you can see a pharmacy that offers weight-loss services. Some pharmacies also have connections to other healthcare providers, so it may be easy to find a provider. Before you try to enroll in a medication program through a drug store, check with your primary care physician.

The supplement and other medical products that are sold by pharmacists also fall under the category of Medicare coverage. You should examine these products closely to find out if they are part of a regular medication regimen that your physician has prescribed for you. Medication can affect your appetite and result in unwanted weight loss. Even if it doesn't, the resulting reduction in caloric intake could be dangerous.

It is also important to remember that you can save money on medicare coverage if you enroll in a weight loss counseling program. These programs are sometimes covered by Medicare supplement plans. In this case, the medications would only be offered once you have enrolled in the program.

Finding out about Medicare supplements is not hard. They can be found on the internet or in the form of pamphlets and brochures that are handed out by physicians' clinics and hospitals. It is important that you ask questions before you sign up for any plan. If you aren't sure what the monthly premiums will be or how much the entire cost of the plan will run, you need to find out all of this information before you sign on the bottom line. Your goal should be to find the best possible option to help you lose weight without Medicare supplement plan coverage, but when that isn't possible, the medical plans are a great supplement to consider.

Another question that comes up frequently is how much Medicare pays out per month for different programs. The Medicare Advantage Plans pays higher rates than the standard Medigap policies, but the coverage varies significantly per plan. There is no limit on the number of free meals and snack plans that Medicare can offer each year. In addition, Medigap policies generally only cover health care costs up to the amount of benefits that are listed in the policy. Medicare supplement plans pay a set percentage of your expenses and deductibles.

Some people wonder if they can use their plan when they are losing weight. Yes, you can. As long as you use the services that are specifically allowed under the terms of your plan, you can lose weight as a result of getting the right medical treatment. Medigap policies don't cover exercise and fitness programs, though.

One of the most frustrating questions about Medicare and weight loss programs is how much it will cost. There is no cap on the number of free meals or snack choices you can get each year. Plus, there are no restrictions on the number of medications you can take each year or the types of exercises or workouts you can do each year. Medicare does not pay for any clinical services, such as hair replacement or counseling services. In addition, Medicare does not pay for any of the costs associated with improving a patient's current lifestyle, such as classes in nutrition or fitness.