After years of looking at bariatric surgery as a cosmetic weight-loss procedure, Indian medical insurance companies seem to have changed their minds. They have begun reimbursing some patients who have undergone bariatric surgery — now classified as a metabolic operation that involves cutting or bypassing parts of the stomach and intestine — to control or even get rid of their diabetes.
While bariatric surgeries essentially lead to weight loss, a welcome side-effect has been the control of diabetes and hypertension. These surgeries were initially recommended for morbidly obese people, but in the last five years they are being offered to diabetic patients who are not obese.
Incidentally, the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) in December declared it would fund bariatric surgeries for current and former government employees. Ramen Goel, a metabolic surgeon from Mumbai, said if CGHS can fund surgeries for its employees, insurance firms should take the cue.
Metabolic surgery for diabetes is still in trial stage, with many medical associations admitting that long-term studies are needed before accepting surgery as a cure for diabetes. Hence, many patients who have undergone metabolic surgeries in the last five years have got reimbursements only after moving consumer courts.
Doctors hope insurance payoffs will become the trend, especially because India has over 60 million diabetes patients. Shah, who has operated on 800 patients for diabetes, said many of them are now approaching insurance firms.
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