MASSDEVICE ON CALL — Although successful in trimming patients waistlines, bariatric surgery doesn’t appear to help curb healthcare spending, according to a new study from the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Researchers analyzed more than 29,000 records, comparing patients with similar obesity profiles who either did or did not undergo bariatric surgery, observing healthcare costs over a period of 7 years.
Those who had the surgery incurred greater costs in the 2nd and 3rd years following the procedure, but things evened out in later years, according to a press release.
"The results of our study are important because they demonstrate bariatric surgery does not lower overall health care costs in the long term and we found is no evidence that any one type of surgery is more likely to reduce long-term health care costs," lead study author Jonathan Weiner said in prepared remarks. "Future studies should focus on the potential benefit of improved health and well-being of patients undergoing the procedure rather than on cost savings."
Obesity-related healthcare costs are estimated to amount to $168 billion per year, accounting for $16.50 of every $100 spent on healthcare in the U.S., according to the study.
Free diabetes products may be a good bet for insurers
Health insurance providers may save money in the long run by eliminating co-pays for diabetes-related medication and supplies, thereby improving treatment adherence.
Read more
Pa. lawmakers take an interest in medical device tax repeal
The medical device tax stands to take a big bite out of Pennsylvania medical device makers, Keystone state Senators Bob Casey (D) and Pat Toomey (R) say, touting the bipartisan repeal effort introduced in Congress earlier this month.
Read more
Feds stamp out healthcare telemarketing scam
Federal Trade Commission regulators put the kibosh on a series of companies peddling fake healthcare services via telemarketing, tricking people into memberships in the Independent Assn. of Businesses rather than providing promised health insurance.
Read more
