As we have been repeatedly reminded throughout the COVID-19 pandemic we experienced last year, our health is important. As Americans age, managing our health becomes even more important. Healthy choices, like diets and exercise routines, are easy to ignore after retirement. People often eat less or eat fewer nutrient-packed foods after they retire.
Making healthy choices can be a struggle for everyone. But for someone who is not as active as they were when they were working, it can be particularly difficult. An increase in the number of expanding waistlines have caused health insurance companies and health across the country to emphasize the importance of healthy choices for people who are retired or nearing retirement and promote healthy weight loss.
Medicare has also joined in the fight against obesity and its related diseases by offering a special weight loss program for those who qualify.
Medicare Weight Loss Program
Any Medicare participants who qualify for the obesity screening also qualify for a special weight loss program. With the program, Medicare covers as many as 22 in-person counseling sessions with a primary care physician. The physician must accept Medicare to qualify, and the participant must have a body mass index of at least 30.
With a large percentage of America’s senior population overweight or obese, this is a valuable benefit. Since counseling sessions are personalized to include individual medical history and health status, participants have a more reliable plan to work from than what they could find by simply browsing the Internet.
Having a personalized plan is important for people with existing health issues. Without this valuable resource, there is a far higher risk of making dangerous mistakes in developing their own weight loss plan based on general information found online. It is worth noting that not all diet fads are safe, and what works for one person may not work for another. Even if you personally do not qualify for the Medicare weight loss program, you should always consult a medical professional before making drastic changes to your diet.
What To Do
The first step toward taking advantage of this benefit is to set up an appointment with a primary care doctor. Everyone is entitled to one free preventive or wellness checkup each year. If you have not yet taken advantage of their free visit, there is no time like the present.
Your BMI will be calculated during the visit. This number is calculated based upon a patient’s height-to-weight ratio. If your BMI number is 30 or higher, ask the physician about setting up counseling sessions for weight loss.
While many physicians offer this service in their clinics, some may not. If this is the case, the physician will typically offer a referral to another clinic with the service. Another option, which is highly recommended, is to contact your Medicare insurance agent about utilizing this service. Since not all physicians have information regarding this Medicare weight loss program, it would be wise to contact your insurance agent anyway.
Final Thoughts
Making healthy decisions can help drastically improve your quality of life. Losing weight is not always the focus of living a healthier lifestyle, but it is often a byproduct. With the help of medical professionals through this Medicare program, you can learn the best exercise regimen and get personalized dieting advice to fit your individual needs. If you qualify for this program, take advantage of these Medicare benefits and the resources available to you!
Contact us today to discuss your options with a Medicare insurance agent today.
