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Bariatric Resource Services

We help reduce medical expenses associated with bariatric surgery and provide support for your members, their family members and caregivers.

A life-changing journey

Optum® Bariatric Resource Services provide employee and member support through the entire continuum of care.

Obesity is a serious health concern

Obesity is a growing concern and a serious health problem in the United States. It may be affecting your employees, which results in higher costs for you.

42%

Adults in the U.S. who are considered obese.1

$173 billion

Annual medical cost of obesity in the U.S.2

41%

Higher annual medical costs for obese adults.2

89%

People with diabetes are overweight or obese.3

39%

Lower inpatient hospital readmission rate in at BRS COEs vs. non-COE providers.5

31%

Lower length of stay rate at BRS COEs compared to non-COE providers.6

$3,092

Lower average cost per surgical episode completed at a BRS COE.7

100%

Members in the program who indicated satisfaction with BRS clinical case managers and 82% indicate better health outcomes by working with the program.8

The leading causes of preventable death

Obesity-related conditions include some of the leading causes of preventable death.4

  • Type 2 diabetes 
  • Certain cancers
  • Heart disease
  • Stroke
  • Sleep apnea
  • Hypertension

Consider carving out benefits for complex medical conditions like bariatric surgery with our Bariatric Resource Services.

A multi-disciplinary approach

We are clinically superior compared to most non-COEs performing bariatric surgeries. And we are evaluated annually to ensure highest quality and best value:

  • Annual volume of surgeries
  • Number and experience of surgeons
  • Complications and mortality rate 
  • Certifications
  • Length of program existence 
  • Multidisciplinary team

Support better outcomes:

  • Pre- and post-surgical telephonic clinical case management by dedicated BRS nursing staff
  • Provide education on the benefits of choosing a COE facility 
  • Provide post-surgical follow-up to ensure behavior/lifestyle modification and reduce complications 
  • Specialized bariatric experience

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Product information and resources

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    About Bariatric Resource Services

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Discover how to partner with Optum today

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  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Adult Obesity Facts. Accessed November 2022.
  2.  Ward ZJ, Bleich SN, Long MW, Gortmaker SL. Association of body mass index with health care expenditures in the United States by age and sex. Accessed April 2023. 
  3.  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Diabetes Statistics Report 2020. Accessed November 2022. 
  4. American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Accessed June 2018. 
  5.  Crossman A. UHC Commercial Surgeries (2020). Cost expressed in episodic derived allowed.  
  6.  Tauer J. 2016 Center of Excellence qualification analysis results, analyzed 2017.
  7.  Optum Bariatric Resource Services Value Measurement. UHC commercial population including fully insured and ASO members. January 1, 2018 to December 1, 2020. Analyzed 2021.
  8.  2021 Optum Consumer Net Promoter Score survey results