|
Press release distributed in partnership with ... 
Bariatric Surgery Patients Make Necessary Lifestyle Changes with Leade Health
New health coaching service screens surgery candidates, lowers insurance provider costs
Ann Arbor, MI (PRWEB) October 25, 2006 -- Thanks to its constant use by celebrities and the ensuing media coverage, Bariatric Surgery has gained the title of America’s newest “quick fix” for individuals with extreme obesity. The number of requests for bariatric surgery doubles each year and has quadrupled since 2000 -- yet many individuals are not equipped to make the necessary lifestyle changes before and after the surgery.
In response, Leade Health has announced a new health coaching service tailored for candidates and patients of bariatric surgery. The program works with individuals before and after the surgery, and identifies which candidates are appropriate – and more importantly, who isn’t appropriate, a distinction which can save employers thousands of dollars per individual. With 9 percent of full-time U.S. workers eligible for the surgery, or 29 percent of the obese workforce, Leade coaches help identify people who are ready to make lifestyle changes with their diet and exercise routines.
To insure that only patients with the right mindset are going under the knife, insurance providers have signed on for the unique program, realizing the need for significant ROI and cost savings. “Bariatric surgery is an effective way to treat people with obesity, but not everyone is a good candidate,” said Theresa Radosevich, Vice President for Leade Health. “Leade’s role is to identify the people who can handle changing the way they eat and maintain a necessary exercise regime.”
Bariatric surgery candidates must lose five to ten percent of their body weight prior to the surgery, and consistently comply with the coaching program’s guidelines. Patients may not miss more than two health coaching phone sessions.
One reason to utilize a bariatric coaching service is the large return on investment. For every dollar spent on the program, a provider can save 30 dollars, Radosevich noted. That one-to-30 ratio is compelling to providers who know that each surgery can cost in the neighborhood of $30,000. With additional costs for those who experience complications during and after surgery, it’s imperative for providers to better screen against those who are likely to fall back into old habits.
The new specialty joins Leade’s pioneer health coaching programs that deal with weight management, stress management, tobacco cessation, and cardiovascular health. Radosevich adds that relatively few companies have Leade’s experience in working with cases of extreme obesity. Of the 10,000 patients who have gone through Leade Health’s iCanChange program, 15 percent were determined to have extreme obesity and six percent of those underwent bariatric surgery.
Leade’s motivational coaching approach screens for this behavior pattern. Understanding what changes a person is ready to make, rather than dictating to them what changes they should make, empowers the individual. Leade coaches allow the member to create their own ideas and goals to address their obesity problem. This gives them ownership and investment into the program, making them more accountable for their actions and results.
“In the old days, a dietician would tell their patients what they need to do. We now know that doesn’t work,” said Radosevich. “We work to understand and uncover what barriers the member has, and give them the confidence to make changes and make those changes stick.” She concluded, “The results are significant and the surgery is quick, but to sustain the effectiveness patients have to commit to significant lifestyle changes.”
For additional information on Leade Health, visit www.leadehealth.com.
About Leade Health
Founded in 1990 and based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Leade Health specializes in Health Coaching in the areas of Weight Management, Stress Management, Tobacco Cessation, and Cardiovascular Health. The health coaching firm has earned a reputation for partnership integrity, product innovation and program impact. Leade Health‘s success rates from its signature Health Coaching model achieve outcome results that exceed national norms.
Media Contacts:
Sherry Ward, Leade Health
734.995.0699, ext. 210
Matt Pitchford
Fisher Vista for Leade Health
317.460.0250
This press release was distributed through eMediawire by Human Resources Marketer (HR Marketer: www.HRmarketer.com) on behalf of the company listed above.
###
Post Comment:
Trackback URL: http://www.prweb.com/pingpr.php/TWFnbi1JbnNlLVRoaXItUHJvZi1JbnNlLVplcm8=
Bookmark -
Del.icio.us |
Furl It |
Technorati |
Ask |
MyWeb |
Propeller |
Live Bookmarks |
Newsvine |
TailRank |
Reddit |
Slashdot |
Digg |
Stumbleupon |
Google Bookmarks |
Sphere |
Blink It |
Spurl
|
