# Plain Language Summary: Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2021

This bill makes changes to how Medicare covers weight loss treatments and services. Specifically, it expands Medicare coverage to include intensive behavioral therapy for obesity, allowing Medicare to pay for counseling and support programs designed to help people lose weight and manage their health. The bill also removes a long-standing restriction that prevented Medicare from covering obesity as a condition on its own—previously, Medicare would only pay for obesity-related treatments if the person had another qualifying health condition. Now Medicare can cover obesity treatment directly.

The practical effect is that Medicare beneficiaries (people 65 and older, plus some younger people with disabilities) would have better access to weight loss support without having to jump through extra hoops. If you're on Medicare and struggling with obesity, you could potentially get counseling and behavioral therapy covered by your insurance instead of paying out of pocket. This includes things like nutrition counseling, exercise programs, and ongoing support to help you make lasting lifestyle changes.

The bill also encourages the development and use of evidence-based weight loss programs—meaning programs that have been scientifically proven to work. By making these services more accessible through Medicare coverage, the bill aims to help reduce obesity-related health problems like diabetes, heart disease, and joint problems that often cost Medicare significant money in the long run. Essentially, it's betting that investing in weight loss support now will prevent more expensive health problems down the road.

Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2021

Carper, Thomas R.

Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2021 This bill expands Medicare coverage of intensive behavioral therapy for obesity. Specifically, the bill allows coverage for therapy that is provided by (1) a physician who is not a primary care physician; or&nbsp;(2) other health care providers (e.g., physician assistants and nurse practitioners) and approved counseling programs, if provided upon a referral from, and in coordination with, a physician or primary care practitioner. Currently, such therapy is covered only if provided by a primary care practitioner. The bill also allows coverage under Medicare's prescription drug benefit of drugs used for the treatment of obesity or for weight loss management for individuals who are overweight.