Obesity Rise Having Effect on Medicaid Costs
May 24, 2012 By Byrd Garrett PLLC
As Americans continue to eat more, exercise less, and gain more weight, the rise in obesity is having a widespread effect on everything from gas prices to healthcare costs. Recent studies show exactly how pervasive this effect is and how much more all Americans spend on healthcare because of the rise in obesity rates.
According to researchers at Lehigh University, the average obese man incurs about $1,150 in health-care spending every year (most of it coming from hospitalization) and prescription drug coverage. For uninsured obese people, those costs are even more significant. The average spending for an obese person without healthcare coverage and who is likely covered by Medicaid equaled about $3,270 per year. On the other hand, a non-obese person who is not covered by health insurance only incurs about $512 per year in medical expenses.
The extra costs spent for this coverage are at least partially paid for by the non-obese. Medicaid expenses must be paid for through higher taxes or cutbacks in different programs. For obese people on health insurance, premiums tend to increase for all insurance premium payers, including non-obese people covered by the same insurance policy.
The difference between obese people and those considered morbidly obese are even more significant. While obesity adds about 20% per year in health-care costs, a figure similar to that added by smoking, morbid obesity increases costs by an estimated 50% per year. As obesity rates continue to expand, so too will Medicaid expenditures and insurance premiums.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Geoff Garrett
Experienced estate planning attorneys Seattle WA of the Byrd Garrett PLLC offers estate planning and business planning resources to residents of Seattle WA.
Copyright Byrd Garrett PLLC
More information about Byrd Garrett PLLC
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide legal advice as individual situations will differ and should be discussed with an expert and/or lawyer. For specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics, please contact the author.
The extra costs spent for this coverage are at least partially paid for by the non-obese. Medicaid expenses must be paid for through higher taxes or cutbacks in different programs. For obese people on health insurance, premiums tend to increase for all insurance premium payers, including non-obese people covered by the same insurance policy.
The difference between obese people and those considered morbidly obese are even more significant. While obesity adds about 20% per year in health-care costs, a figure similar to that added by smoking, morbid obesity increases costs by an estimated 50% per year. As obesity rates continue to expand, so too will Medicaid expenditures and insurance premiums.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Geoff Garrett
Experienced estate planning attorneys Seattle WA of the Byrd Garrett PLLC offers estate planning and business planning resources to residents of Seattle WA.
Copyright Byrd Garrett PLLC
More information about Byrd Garrett PLLC
View all articles published by Byrd Garrett PLLC
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide legal advice as individual situations will differ and should be discussed with an expert and/or lawyer. For specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics, please contact the author.
