Health Insurance for Overweight IndividualsHistorically, obtaining health insurance as an overweight adult has been difficult. Statisticians say that anywhere from one in five to three in five Americans are overweight. One in fifty is considered clinically obese (at least one hundred pounds overweight). That means that anywhere from twenty to sixty percent of the population has had some difficulty in finding affordable types of health insurance. Even though many insurance companies view overweight individuals as high-risk, more and more companies are offering refreshing options.
Health Insurance for Overweight Individuals: What’s Considered Overweight?The Body Mass Index is used to measure a person’s weight appropriateness. The BMI is calculated by dividing a person’s weight (kilograms) by their height (meters squared). There are many helpful internet sites that can easily calculate a person’s body mass index. Here is the average analysis of BMI: a BMI of 18.5 or lower is considered underweight. A healthy BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9, while 25 and up is considered overweight. Any BMI over 30 is clinically obese. If a six foot tall man were 137-183 pounds he would be considered healthy. He would be classified as overweight if he fell between 184-220 pounds, and obese if he were 221 pounds or more. Obviously there is potential of miscalculation, but generally the body mass index yields verifiable results.
Why is Health Insurance for Overweight Individuals Difficult to Obtain?Being overweight is not so much the concern as is the intrinsic link between weight issues and health problems. Diabetes, heart disease, certain cancers, hypertension (high blood pressure), and strokes are all common health consequences of being overweight. Most insurance companies view obesity as a pre-existing condition and will not pay for related treatment. The subjectivity of the claim is entirely within the realm of the insurance company to accept or deny. If an insured individual were to develop diabetes or have a stroke, the company may deny the claim by linking it with pre-existing weight problem. Other common problems related to weight are sleep apnea, gynecological problems, respiratory issues, liver and gallbladder disease, arthritis, and overall cholesterol concerns. The clinically obese present even greater obstacles in that few medical facilities are equipped to handle their special needs. Few doctors’ offices have scales that measure over three hundred pounds. Some patients cannot fit on normal hospital beds, in wheel chairs, or even operating tables. CAT scans and MRIs are also difficult to perform on the extremely overweight.
Is there Hope for Obtaining Health Insurance for Overweight Individuals?There has been a recent shift in how society views weight problems. Though the health ramifications have not been downplayed, the relationship between medical treatment and weight control has grown tighter. Some employee health plans have begun offering a tax-free weight control benefit. Certain states have done research in gastric by-pass surgery with the hopes that it may be added to the list of routinely covered, necessary medical expenses. Even the IRS now allows weight loss programs to be deducted as if they were normal medical expenses. When it comes to insurance companies, certain provisions are being made to lower the cost of covering overweight individuals. Typically, health insurance offered to small businesses has defrayed the cost to the individual by spreading it evenly among all the members. This often raises the premiums by five to twenty-five percent for everyone. In the past this practice has caused resentment in some, but since it is becoming more common place it is also becoming more acceptable. In large businesses the boost in the deductible of premiums is less noticeable. There are other companies that don’t require any medical or weight information, but higher upfront costs and lower coverage is often the price for discretion. Still, the options for overweight individuals have vastly improved in the past ten years. The best way to obtain the quality health insurance is to keep careful tabs on weight by eating correctly and exercising, and by avoiding harmful activities (smoking & drinking). But there is hope and plenty of options for the individual struggling to control their weight. Even in situations where applicants have been denied, asking the family doctor to submit a letter supporting reapplication has been very helpful in receiving coverage. In the end, the very best advice for anyone shopping for health insurance is to compare quotes from various insurance companies. Enter your zip code at the top of the page now if you would like to receive free health insurance comparison quotes.
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