Have you heard that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida has decided to drop bariatric surgery as a benefit for its members effective January 1, 2005? Other insurance companies may seek to do the same. It is time to stop the misrepresentations of persons with obesity and to insure them as we do everyone else in society.

OPERATE is a project of the American Obesity Association (AOA) developed to reverse the decision of BlueCross BlueShield of Florida and to promote access to treatment by persons with morbid obesity.

JOIN the OPERATE Coalition Now

AOA is forming the OPERATE coalition to include health professionals, businesses, hospitals, the general public and any person or group who has a shared commitment to improve the lives of persons with morbid obesity.

1. BECOME INFORMED
Insurance coverage to treat obesity is not easy to get. Some insurers deny any type of coverage to persons with obesity or charge a high premium. Surgical treatment for obesity was starting to gain ground with insurers, but now there is more backpedalling and retracting of such policies.

The AOA has put together this special section to help you to understand morbid obesity and the need for surgery to treat qualified patients.

Facts

Read the facts about:

• Morbid Obesity
• Obesity Surgery

2. COMMUNICATE
Get out and tell the media, legislators, friends and neighbors about the OPERATE project. Tell them that you want to:

a. Set the record straight on the benefits as well as risks of bariatric surgery.

Many incorrect statements have been made recently about bariatric surgery which may well harm patients considering this surgery, regardless of the source of payment.

The AOA has compiled information from various sources to present evidence on the safety and effectiveness of surgery to treat obesity.

• Read the AOA's Editorial Memorandum, Setting the Record Straight: Misstatements about Bariatric Surgery for the Treatment of Morbid Obesity.
b. Encourage employers, insurers and the state government to keep coverage of this important service.

The OPERATE Coalition plans to bring this issue to the Governor and State Legislature of the Florida.

You can help by informing your state legislators about the OPERATE project.

• Learn more about how to Contact Congress.

Action Steps You Can Take Now Communication Tips

3. STAY UP-TO-DATE
Stay current on news about surgery.

News

New Medicare policy increases coverage for obesity treatment.

• Read the press release from the Department of Health and Human Services, HHS Announces Revised Medicare Obesity Coverage Policy; Policy Opens Door to Coverage Based on Evidence.


• Read the American Obesity Association's press release about the new Medicare policy, American Obesity Association Hails Medicare Decision.

The need for insurance coverage of bariatric surgery.

• View an interview with AOA Executive Director Morgan Downey on CNBC's Capital Report.

Study shows improvement in obstructive sleep apnea following bariatric surgery.

• Read the abstract from the study, Gastric Bypass is an Effective Treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Patients with Clinically Significant Obesity by S. Rasheid and colleagues.

Informing patients preoperatively on surgical consequences is suggested in study.

• Read the abstract from the study, Psychosocial Consequences of Weight Loss following Gastric Banding for Morbid Obesity by J.F. Kinzl and colleagues.

Go to AOA's NEWS page on this web site for other news items related to obesity.

Network
• To contact the AOA about the OPERATE project, send
  e-mail to operate@obesity.org.