Thread: Doctor Won't Treat Anyone Over 200 lbs

Yes but the article was wrong which is why I said that's not what global payments actually are. It's a bit simplified. Global payment systems are extremely complicated.

It's not costing them profit at all to treat you.

I'm completely confused by the reason she gave about someone hurting themself putting out a foot rest for an obese patient. Was the patient sitting on the foot rest at the time? Otherwise, what the heck does their weight have to do with it?

I'm not sure if it's legal, but it sure is crappy. I also have a hard time believing that this is the future of health care. If doctors only treat healthy patients, they are going to lose most of their patients. Don't most people go to the dr because they're sick? LOL

Originally Posted by AlyssaEimers

I do not know if it is legal or not, and I guess I would have to say a doctor can see whom ever they want to, but boy, it is a rotten thing to do.

My doctor is my best motivator to loss weight. I see her every three months to be weighed, talk about how I can eat/exercises better and live healthier to loose weight. Since starting to see her earlier this summer I have lost 19lbs. We are also taking care of some medical problems including a recent diagnosis of PCOS. I have just 5 more lbs to get to that precious 200lb mark. I would be beyond hurt if the doctor had ridiculed me or made me feel like I could not go there because of my weight. I can tell you with certainty I would not have gone somewhere else, and I would not be loosing the weight.

Agreed. I cannot imagine how this is likely to impact those overweight patients that probably are already reluctant to go in to be seen. This is an opportunity for a doctor to connect with their patient... reaching out to HELP them overcome challenges (preferably with compassion.) Those doctors that ridicule, demean, or worse... dismiss... are likely to have an extremely negative impact on these patients' lives (and on their families.) Rather than serving to encourage and inspire healthy lifestyle changes, the patient may instead opt to pull back and not subject themselves to such humiliation again.

While technically legal, it is such a rotten thing to do.

If I found out my doctor had a policy like this, whether it affected me or not, I would stop going to that doctor. It would make me question whether the doctor was able to read the latest research, or whether their phobias were more important than their ability to make scientific judgements.

What a crock of sh*t.

I'm sorry but she is a DOCTOR and should not be able to pick and choose who she cares for. If she is private and someone on the heavier side can afford her services she should treat them! Can you imagine if firemen started saying they wouldn't rescue you from a fire if you weighed over a certain weight?! These people (I thought anyways) go into these professions to help people, not discriminate them!!

xx

Originally Posted by Jessica80

Yes but the article was wrong which is why I said that's not what global payments actually are. It's a bit simplified. Global payment systems are extremely complicated.

It's not costing them profit at all to treat you.

You said they were paid on outcome. If you start off with someone who isn't healthy (don't care what anyone says, obesity means you are not healthy), you are going to have fewer good outcomes (no matter how much work you put into it) than you do if you start off with someone who is at a healthy weight (even if their habits aren't healthy).

Originally Posted by Minx_Kristi

Can you imagine if firemen started saying they wouldn't rescue you from a fire if you weighed over a certain weight?!

Frightening, isn't it?

Originally Posted by wlillie

You said they were paid on outcome. If you start off with someone who isn't healthy (don't care what anyone says, obesity means you are not healthy), you are going to have fewer good outcomes (no matter how much work you put into it) than you do if you start off with someone who is at a healthy weight (even if their habits aren't healthy).

No it is more like....you have obese patient. You encourage them to lose weight. Things like nutrition therapy (which ins. covers), weight watchers (my company reimburses for membership) etc. That is a good outcome.

It doesn't mean oh all your patients are 24-29 and healthy. Not at all

200 is hardly anything IMO, I am 5'4 1/2 and in healthy weight.. but when pregnant got to 178.. that is so close to 200 I imagine someone in my situation easily needing an exam table that can support 200 lbs I think she is full of it and why not ask the client to help out? sounds stupid.

Originally Posted by Rivergallery

200 is hardly anything IMO, I am 5'4 1/2 and in healthy weight.. but when pregnant got to 178.. that is so close to 200 I imagine someone in my situation easily needing an exam table that can support 200 lbs I think she is full of it and why not ask the client to help out? sounds stupid.

Exactly. At 5'8" I'm healthy at 150 pounds. The day I had DD I was 195.

My brother is 6'1" and over 200 pounds. He's a firefighter and is built like a Mack truck. Is he obese or even unhealthy? No way.

I believe this is discriminatory.