Medicare will cover weight loss programs when weight has a direct impact on health. Some health conditions that may be alleviated by weight loss are sleep apnea, hypertension, joint pain, and diabetes type 2. Medicare will pay for 3 hours of weight management counseling the first year and two hours of counseling each year after that. If further treatment is needed, Medicare can provide more, including gastric bypass surgery, if needed.
If you have medical conditions that can be treated or better managed with weight loss, Medicare may pay for weight loss counseling.
If weight loss is needed to minimize or avoid complications of surgery, Medicare may pay for weight loss programs.