Optifast/Medifast Covered by anyones insurance?

Hi All. Does anyone know if Optifast or Medifast is covered by insurance.  Its so expensive for me.   Thanks Hugs Betsy

My HMO covered my Optifast pre-op, but that's because the bariatric surgeon wanted me to lose 10% of my weight prior to surgery, so it was deemed "medically necessary."  I didn't even have a copay. If your surgeon specifically says you need to lose weight pre-op, and specifically wants you on one of those programs, it may be covered by insurance.  You'd need to check your own coverage to be sure. Good luck! Kix

OH my god thanks for that information.  Im gonna call the NUT which of course is an MD. Ask her to prescribe that for me.   I dohave to lose 10%, Thanks so much for the information. We shall see what the insurance company will do..... Is optifast medication?  Or meals or how does that work? Thanks betsy

It is not covered by my insurance, nor can I turn it in to flex for reimbursement.  It is considered food, so they didn't cover it.  The flex will cover a fee for a weight loss program, but not the food.  Their justification is that it is replacing something we are already paying for ourselves. Not sure I agree when it is doctor ordered.  I just picked up two weeks worth for my liquid diet.

Before I consider WLS I went thorough the optifast program. I have excellent insurance through BCBS. I don' t mean to discourage you, but they did not pay for any of my protein shakes or protein bars. I think I ended up totaling about two grand in a twelve week period just on the optifast. I wish you the best of luck and hope that your insurance will pay for it. Danielle

My insurance did not cover medifast... but my Dr's office got pretty good deals on it..  But I also got  some real cheap from Ebay (going on ebay is much cheaper the the medifast websites!!) and also purchased some there as well... Rae

Hi Betsy.  I did the Optifast 3 times and all three times insurance paid for the program, but I had to pay for the food.  I hope that helps . . . take care,