title: Bariatric surgery coverage decision: opportunities and limitations.
abstract: CMS's national coverage decision on bariatric surgery has implications for obese patients, insurers, and the physicians and hospitals that treat those patients. Other insurers may follow Medicare's lead, causing an increase in patient volume. As the number of approved facilities increases, the number of procedures performed will grow, bringing in new revenue.
authors.affiliation: Sacred Heart Health System, Pensacola, Fla, USA.
authors.forename: Buddy L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Elmore
authors.forename: William T
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Phillips
mesh_terms: D050110:Bariatric Surgery / Q000191:economics*; D014487:Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, U.S.; D003657:Decision Making; D006801:Humans; D019458:Insurance Coverage; D007348:Insurance, Health; D014481:United States