title: Recent tax changes may assist treatment of obesity.
abstract: The U.S. Surgeon General's Call to Action on Overweight and Obesity 2001 proposes inclusion of health care providers in prevention efforts and suggests classification of obesity as a disease category for reimbursement coding. Physician counseling on and referral for physical activity is generally recognized as a component of obesity treatment, but data on the effectiveness of these measures remain inconclusive. Recent changes in the federal tax law may influence physicians' and health plans' roles in promoting physical activity.
authors.affiliation: Health Services Research, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, Chicago, Illinois, USA. Karen.Fitzner@bcbsa.com
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fitzner
authors.forename: Nadine
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Caputo
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Trendell
authors.forename: Molly V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: French
authors.forename: Maris A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Bondi
authors.forename: Courtney
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jennings
mesh_terms: D003376:Counseling / Q000191:economics; D035082:Federal Government; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D007349:Insurance, Health, Reimbursement; D008329:Managed Care Programs / Q000191:economics; D009765:Obesity / Q000145:classification / Q000191:economics* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010816:Physician Incentive Plans / Q000191:economics; D013219:State Government; D013660:Taxes / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D014481:United States