Obesity
Conditions
Keywords
Obesity treatment, Insurance reimbursement, Health care utilization, Health care costs
Brief summary
The purpose of this study is to simulate what would occur if insurance reimbursement became available for obesity treatment but required that the individual meet defined performance milestones.
Detailed description
This is a prospective study to determine whether a reimbursement incentive (the prospect of reimbursement of half of the out-of-pocket fee for participation in the UAB EatRight Weight Management Program, when it is contingent upon consistent Program participation and loss of 6% of initial body weight) is associated with (1) a higher rate of Program enrollment and (2) greater percent weight loss, greater reductions in medication dosages and costs, and fewer visits to health care providers after 12 weeks and 9 months.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALSimulated insurance reimbursement
Participants were told they would have the possibility of being reimbursed 50% ($150) of their initial fee ($300) if they: 1) paid the fee in advance or committed 3 monthly payments in advance, 2) attended 10 of 12 class sessions, and 3) lost at least 6% of their current body weight during the program.
Sponsors
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Study design
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
19 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Adults with obesity (BMI at least 30 kg/m2) * Commitment of the full EatRight Weight Management Program fee
Exclusion criteria
* None
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Proportion of inquirers who enroll in obesity treatment | 16 months |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Class attendance | 12 weeks |
| Percent weight loss | 12 weeks and 9 months |
| Changes in medication dosages and costs | 12 weeks and 9 months |
| Visits to health care providers | 12 weeks and 9 months |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed