Why insurers are dropping WLS coverage

[Guest guest]

A recent New York Times article on weight loss surgery and how, in

particular, employers are starting to reconsider coverage. It's a

result of increasing malpractice claims due to botched operations.

Here are a few bullet points worth noting.

Almost one in 20 patients (4.8 percent) had serious cardiovascular

complications after surgery - heart attacks, stroke or " severe " high

blood pressure.

A study in The Journal of the American Medical Association in

October said the death rate was one in 200 within 30 days after a

gastric bypass.

64% of employers cover WLS.

More than 1,300 doctors perform WLS now, up from " a few hundred " in

the 90s.

Nationwide spending for weight-related conditions and associated

economic losses is at least $117 billion a year.

Weight-control products and services, including drugs, diet and

exercise programs as well as the bariatric surgery, came to $15.2

billion in 2003.

These are huge, huge numbers. The article also delves into the risks

a bit - expected given the subject matter.