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09-19-2006, 10:52 AM
Travis County debates weight-loss surgery as employee benefit (http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/printstory.mpl/metropolitan/4197253):
AUSTIN — Travis County is considering a pilot program to offer weight-loss surgery to its employees after a review suggested the move could save money in the long run.
County commissioners may decide today whether to pay for up to 15 bariatric surgeries per year during a five-year trial. The surgeries, which involve reducing the size of the stomach or rerouting the intestines, would each cost about $15,000 to $25,000, the county said.
"Unfortunately, the program is obviously very needed," County Judge Sam Biscoe said. "We do have more than our fair share of employees who qualify."
To qualify, county employees would have to be diagnosed with morbid obesity and go through one year of monitored unsuccessful dieting and exercise. The county estimates that 300 to 400 of its 4,100 employees would be eligible for the surgery.
While an annual review of the county's health care plan found that the surgeries could save money, the county's staff has not provided conclusive data, Biscoe said.
Commissioner Gerald Daugherty said the pilot program is a worthwhile test of whether the policy will work. He said it would take only a fraction of the county's $60 million health care budget.
"To me, it's a calculated way to see if we can help ourselves out since we're self-insured," he said.
Susan Smith, executive director for the Texas Municipal League's Intergovernmental Employee Benefits Pool, said Texas cities that have covered bariatric surgeries found them to cost more than anticipated.
The high costs caused the cities to scale back their coverage, she said, adding that Travis County's cost estimates are probably too low.
The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services estimates that 60 percent of Americans are overweight or obese. It says weight-loss surgery has been found to help with conditions such as diabetes, asthma and hypertension.
Smith said the health benefits of weight-loss surgery prompted the municipal league to begin offering coverage starting next month. Its insurance will cover 50 percent of the cost, up to $30,000. The procedure will be available only to those who have demonstrated they cannot otherwise lose weight, she said.
AUSTIN — Travis County is considering a pilot program to offer weight-loss surgery to its employees after a review suggested the move could save money in the long run.
County commissioners may decide today whether to pay for up to 15 bariatric surgeries per year during a five-year trial. The surgeries, which involve reducing the size of the stomach or rerouting the intestines, would each cost about $15,000 to $25,000, the county said.
"Unfortunately, the program is obviously very needed," County Judge Sam Biscoe said. "We do have more than our fair share of employees who qualify."
To qualify, county employees would have to be diagnosed with morbid obesity and go through one year of monitored unsuccessful dieting and exercise. The county estimates that 300 to 400 of its 4,100 employees would be eligible for the surgery.
While an annual review of the county's health care plan found that the surgeries could save money, the county's staff has not provided conclusive data, Biscoe said.
Commissioner Gerald Daugherty said the pilot program is a worthwhile test of whether the policy will work. He said it would take only a fraction of the county's $60 million health care budget.
"To me, it's a calculated way to see if we can help ourselves out since we're self-insured," he said.
Susan Smith, executive director for the Texas Municipal League's Intergovernmental Employee Benefits Pool, said Texas cities that have covered bariatric surgeries found them to cost more than anticipated.
The high costs caused the cities to scale back their coverage, she said, adding that Travis County's cost estimates are probably too low.
The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services estimates that 60 percent of Americans are overweight or obese. It says weight-loss surgery has been found to help with conditions such as diabetes, asthma and hypertension.
Smith said the health benefits of weight-loss surgery prompted the municipal league to begin offering coverage starting next month. Its insurance will cover 50 percent of the cost, up to $30,000. The procedure will be available only to those who have demonstrated they cannot otherwise lose weight, she said.