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Review
. 2023 Sep;12(3):365-370.
doi: 10.1007/s13679-023-00507-2. Epub 2023 Jul 20.

Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery and Medical Insurance Payment in China

Hui Liang  1 , Cong Li  2
Affiliations
Review

Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery and Medical Insurance Payment in China

Hui Liang et al. Curr Obes Rep. 2023 Sep.

Abstract

Purpose of review: This paper briefly introduces the status quo of bariatric and metabolic surgery and medical insurance payment in China.

Recent findings: Along with China's rapid economic growth, the prevalence of obesity and diabetes is increasing quickly. Because of their high body fat percentage and predominance of abdominal obesity, Chinese people experience metabolic disorders more frequently than Caucasians with the same BMI. Treatments are not medical because there is a lack of social understanding of obesity. Furthermore, obesity has not been accepted as a disease in China and so has not been included in the medical insurance payment system. Therefore, weight-loss medications are not covered by medical insurance. In China, bariatric and metabolic surgery have advanced for almost 20 years, and corresponding guidelines have been developed. However, there are regional and cognitive variations in whether medical insurance covers bariatric surgery or not. Recent research on the financial advantages of medical insurance coverage for weight-loss surgery showed that it conserves healthcare system resources. It will be important to raise public awareness regarding obesity in the future, present more evidence of the clinical efficacy of surgery, and work towards a higher percentage of medical insurance reimbursement for obesity treatment and bariatric surgery.

Keywords: Bariatric surgery; China; Diabetes mellitus; Medical insurance; Metabolic surgery; Obesity.

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References

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: •  Of importance •• Of major importance
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