Obesity: effective treatment requires change in payers' perspective

Obesity is an increasing problem in the United States, and the health problems attributed to it have a significant economic impact on the healthcare system, as well as on patients' quality of life. In addition, childhood obesity is increasingly becoming a prominent diagnosis.

To identify physician and payer reactions to the profiles of 4 new obesity products in development and the potential that these will be prescribed by physicians and reimbursed by payers. This article examines payers' and physicians' perspectives in effective treatment options for this epidemic.

A 2008 online survey conducted by Reimbursement Intelligence was completed by 42 physicians who are advisors to Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committees and see an average of 435 obese patients monthly, as well as 17 payers who represent more than 100 million covered lives. This research was double blinded to conceal product and client identification. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected from the survey responses.

Based on the physician and payer survey responses, morbid obesity is expected to grow in the next 2 years. About 80% of morbidly obese patients have type 2 diabetes, but more than 75% of payers do not track patients who are obese, morbidly obese, or those with the metabolic syndrome. Despite its effect on business productivity and the cost of care, healthcare professionals and payers continue to have varying perspectives related to its prevention and treatment. Physicians would like to have more treatment options, but payers perceive them as ineffective and find the safety and adverse effect profiles unfavorable.

There is a clear need for multiple treatment alternatives to combat obesity that include plan member access to weight-loss options, such as prescription medications and bariatric surgery. There needs to be an increase in educational support from manufacturers of products for obesity, as well as increased awareness of products in the pipeline.