FAQ
Why choose Egea Medical?
When it comes to losing weight, having medical experts who understand that obesity is a chronic medical disease is our difference. At Egea Medical, you are examined and monitored by our highly trained physicians during every visit. Decisions made regarding your care and progress are done so with the expert knowledge of a medical professional. There is no one size fits all dietary approach. We understand that struggling with your weight has much more to do with biology and hormonal influences than was once thought. It is best managed by a physician who understands the medical complexities of this chronic disease.
What will my visits cost me?
Since our program is specifically tailored to each patient, cost will reflect the individual care that is given to you on each visit. Most insurance programs sadly do not cover weight management. Therefore, Egea Medical Weight Loss Center does not participate with insurance plans. We will make every effort to supply you with documentation of your visits, so that you may submit them through your work-related flexible spending accounts, as well as for tax purposes.
What is a BMI?
It is calculated by knowing a person's height and weight. Specifically, it is a reliable measure of body fatness and is currently a screening tool for weight categories that may lead to health problems. Since there are some limitations to basing treatment solely on the BMI measurement, we go the extra step by offering our patients a complete body composition analysis that not only measures BMI but also will measure body fat %, fat mass, fat-free mass and more in a non-intrusive and convenient manner.
What is obesity medicine?
Since obesity is a disease, it makes sense to treat it as one. The medical treatment of obesity and it's associated conditions is called "obesity medicine." Another commonly used term is "bariatric medicine". The term is derived from the greek word, "bari", meaning weight. Bariatric medicine is the art and science of medical weight loss management. As obesity medicine physicians we have achieved advanced clinical training and board certification in this field.
What is a body composition analysis?
Body composition analysis is the clinical assessment of tissue and fluid compartments in the human body. Specific measurements include: body fat percentage, free fat mass, total body water and resting metabolic rate. The method that we use to obtain this information is called electrical bioimpedence. It is a non-invasive and accurate test. It does require the following preparation: no alcohol consumption within 24 hours prior, no exercise, caffeine or food within 4 hours prior to taking the test, and drink 2 to 4 glasses of water 2 hours prior to taking the test.
Is medically-supervised weight loss right for me?
Most patients that come to see us have already tried several failed diets in the past. We offer the tools necessary for long term weight loss. This of course requires consistent behavior, dietary and lifestyle changes on your part for complete success. If you are committed to making the final and necessary steps toward long term weight loss and agree to regular follow-ups, then our medically-supervised program is right for you.
Do I have to use meal replacements?
Absolutely not. In fact many patients are quite successful with a calorie controlled food based plan. We help you formulate a plan that fits your individual needs and goals.
Will my health insurance cover my visits?
While we do not bill insurance companies directly, Egea's staff will provide you with all of the appropriate medical and diagnostic documentation to submit to your insurer for reimbursement. It is important to understand that most insurance companies do not consider obesity as a medical diagnosis and therefore will not always reimburse for these services. Employees with Flexible spending accounts set up through their employer are able to use their card for payment. Most companies will completely cover our services for tax advantaged medical savings accounts.
