Dumb question

geral4479WECHANGED
geral4479WECHANGED Posts: 49
edited December 2024 in Motivation and Support
Why do people say that obesity raises our health insurance rates? I don't understand how this is so. This is something some people use against fat people and I am bothered by that. Is there truth to that or is it more fat prejudice?

Replies

  • jklapatch
    jklapatch Posts: 29
    The health complications associated with obesity, such as diabetes, CVD, hypertension, arthritis, etc., are fast becoming the most costly medical expenses for our nation. These costs are typically paid for by the state (Medicare/Medicaid) or through insurance. As the costs rise, more money is required to be paid by both the state as well as insurance, which could then result in higher taxes being required and/or higher insurance premiums. It is no different (in terms of how the costs trickle down) than any other health issue; the reason it garners so much attention is because of the prevalence; new numbers estimate that, if including "normal weight" obesity (i.e., those persons who weigh within normal ranges but have body fat percentages exceeding the normal range), only about 1 in 15 persons in the US is at "healthy" weight. Especially given the new attention to "normal weight" obesity, I wouldn't say it's more "fat prejudice" as you put it; however, I am a researcher and partitioner whose primary interests are increasing healthy behaviors for anyone who is interested, not just those who fit in specific demographic categories. I'd be happy to share my references with you if you're interested.
  • ZugTheMegasaurus
    ZugTheMegasaurus Posts: 801 Member
    jklapatch pretty much explains it. Additionally, if you don't look at state involvement, you're looking at private insurance. These are profit-driven companies. They need to turn a certain margin in order to satisfy their investors and shareholders. When many more people are suddenly drawing out on their policies due to an increase in obesity-related illness, those insurance providers have to pay out much more than they are used to. In order to stay profitable, they have to raise rates on everyone. This will also result in increased denials for people they deem too risky due to their weight.

    Also, even when people are entirely uninsured, hospitals are still required to treat them in an emergency under a law called EMTALA. So when someone shows up at the ER in crisis due to obesity, the hospital must treat them until they are stabilized. And since these people are uninsured, they aren't going to be able to pay the hefty medical bills for that treatment. This means that the cost of healthcare itself must go up (not just the insurance premiums) because the hospital needs to recoup their losses somewhere, and that means that people who can pay have to make up for it. This of course is not solely related to obesity, but to any emergency involving an uninsured party; however, obesity-related illnesses tend to be repetitive and increase in severity and frequency over time.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories