Lose Weight, Save Money

Excess weight not only affects your health; it can affect your finances. Researchers have linked overweight and obesity to the following health conditions:

• Coronary heart disease
• Type 2 diabetes
• Cancers, such as endometrial, breast, and colon
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• High total cholesterol or high levels of triglycerides (dyslipidemia)
• Stroke
• Liver and gallbladder disease
• Sleep apnea and respiratory problems
• Degeneration of cartilage and underlying bone within a joint (Osteoarthritis)
• Reproductive health

Moreover, overweight and obese individuals are more likely to become permanently disabled from injury than individuals of normal weight. Obesity makes surgery more difficult and wound complications more likely. It also leads to other conditions that increase the odds of complications, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, which increase the risk of blood clots and heart and lung complications.

The Affordable Care Act forbids health insurance policies in the group and individual markets from discriminating against individuals for pre-existing conditions. These protections don’t apply to other types of insurance, such as life insurance, disability insurance, accident insurance or long-term care insurance. When you apply for these coverages, the insurer will ask you for your height and weight. If your body mass index indicates overweight, you will pay more for your coverage. Those who are obese often can’t find coverage at any price due to their higher rates of injury and mortality.

Our medical and insurance systems have focused on treating illness rather than preventing it. Now the Affordable Care Act requires private insurance plans to cover behavioral counseling for adults with obesity. Some plans offer additional weight-related wellness benefits, such as discounted fitness club memberships and weight loss surgery.

If you have weight or other health conditions that prevent you from finding life, disability or other insurance coverages, please contact us. Some insurers specialize in certain types of “substandard risks”; other insurers will write policies that have limits on coverage. Please contact us for more information.