“It focuses on treating obesity at the source,” said Nasseri. “In practice, what we do is that we recommend our employers or clients a package that they can include in the benefits that they offer their employees, and that would include coverage for the dieticians, for kinesiologists, for therapists, psychologists, or other mental health professionals that could be of help.”
Desjardins was also the first insurer to include anti-obesity medications in standard care packages, a milestone change that makes it more affordable for people to access drugs that could help them better manage their disease.
According to Atkins, having access to that type of covered care could be a game-changer for those living with obesity.
“It would be great if at least insurance companies could say, ‘Well, hey, if you get to that point, if your doctor is suggesting medication, we are going to cover it’ because there’s so many great benefits. If you’ve kind of done all the work to understand and get to a place where medication is the next step for you, then there’s a lot of great things that can come from being able to manage your weight,” said Atkins. “Obviously, better mental health.
Better physical health and then things like less chronic disease and less chronic disease means that for the company, for the insurers, for society, costs of managing one’s health goes way down.”