With obesity rates in the United States continuing to climb and causing additional chronic health conditions such as diabetes, coronary artery disease, and stroke, health plans and employers are looking to specialty programs to combat obesity. Whether theyre referred to as Disease Management, Weight Management or Wellness programs, their ultimate objective is the same: to trim the fat from healthcare expenses. In this special report, "Disease Management & Obesity: Healthcare Impacts and Initiatives," sponsored by the Healthcare Intelligence Network (HIN), expert speakers weigh in on the key features of obesity management programs, strategies for increasing member participation, and the programs impact on the healthcare bottom line. Youll hear from two leading industry experts, Robin F. Foust, Population/Individual Health and Productivity Management Specialist, Zoe Consulting; and Dr. Eric Berman, Medical Director & Chairman of Health Policy, Horizon BCBS of NJ, on the impact that obesity is having on healthcare organizations. This report is based on the April 28, 2004 audio conference on Disease Management & Obesity during which Foust and Berman described programs they have launched to address obesity. Youll get: -Obesity risks and impacts; -Components for a successful obesity weight management program; criteria for approving gastric bypass surgery; -Building blocks of the weight management program at Horizon BCBS-NJ; -Impacts of the weight management programs at Horizon BCBS-NJ and Medicorp; and -How disease management programs should comply with HIPAA security guidelines.Table of Contents Obesity and Weight Management: An Employer's Perspective -Avoiding Gastric Bypass Surgery -MediCorp Criteria for Approving Gastric Bypass Surgery -MediCorp Program Background -Measuring BMI in Adults -Formulating Surgery Approval Policy -Successfully Avoiding Surgery -Lessons LearnedObesity Initiative: Horizon BCBS-NJ -Obesity Risks and Impacts -Horizon Walks the Walk -Program Implementation -Building Blocks of Weight Management Program -Employee Participation Analysis -Not a Sprint, but a Marathon -Formula for Success -Dieticians a Call Away for HMO MembersObesity Initiative: Health Awareness Begins at Home Office Disease Management and Health Literacy -The High Cost of Low Health LiteracyQ&A: Ask the Experts -Digesting the Effects of the Current Carb Craze -Considering HIPAA Privacy When Setting Guidelines -De-Identifying Protected Health Information Under the Privacy Rule -Surgery: Whos Paying and Whos Succeeding -Bariatric Surgery: Last Resort -Weight Management: Covered or Supplemental? -The PCPs Role in Weight Management -Tracking Program Utilization and Results