This procedure targets people who are overweight especially those with a body mass index of 40 or more and those with body mass index of 35 and other serious medical conditions such as diabetes (Lord, 2008). It is essential for those people who can’t lose weight by exercising and cutting their diet hence has compromised their health. The center should target patients who are members of the insurance providers because the procedure is costly. The insurance providers help to offset the hospital expenses. The patient makes an appointment with a bariatric surgeon who usually carries out an assessment of his or her weight loss options. Other medical disciplines involved are laboratory technicians, radiographers, dietitians, nurse, psychologists, and administrative staff. Health insurance providers they cover some or all of the costs of the procedure if medical necessity is recommended by your doctor or physician. Insurance providers they usually cater for the medical costs if the case is strong as per the doctors’ report (Lord, 2008).
The bariatric center benefits various hospital departments such as a laboratory, x-ray section, pharmacy, nutrition clinic, psychology and administrative department. This is because the cost of the bariatric surgery covers the laboratory and x-ray fees, anesthesia, hospital facility, and surgeon’s fee (Livingstone, 2005). Other services sought by the bariatric patient in the hospital that require payment include the psychologist and dietitian because the diet changes immediately after the surgery. The financial impact to the patient includes real health benefits such as reversed type 2 diabetes, prevents cancer, and improves blood pressure and coronary artery condition. However, the procedure is complex and costly. The patient should therefore join a health insurance provider to help him or her cater some or all of the expenses of the surgery.
References
Chalkidou, K., Lord, J. Fischer, A., & Littlejohns, P. (2008). Evidence-Based Decision Making: When Should We Wait For More Information? Health Affairs, 27(6), 1642-1653doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.27.6.1642
Livingston, E. H., & Martin, R. F. (2005). Bariatric surgery. Philadelphia: Saunders.