Comment on CMS Analysis of Bariatric Surgery for Treatment of Diabetes

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Written by Stephanie Wasek

Thursday, 05 June 2008

CMS is conducting a national coverage analysis (NCA) to assess the nature of scientific evidence supporting weight-loss surgery for the treatment of diabetes and whether a national coverage decision is warranted. As part of the NCA, for which a proposed decision is expected to be issued in November, the agency is seeking public comments regarding bariatric surgery and diabetes through June 18.

"Various bariatric surgery procedures, including gastric bypass surgery, have been reported to 'cure diabetes,' possibly by increasing insulin production or altering metabolism in other ways, in patients who are overweight (as contrasted with obese or morbidly obese) or even of normal body-mass index," says CMS on the NCA tracking sheet for surgery for diabetes. "The evidence for improved health outcomes is scant, however, and leaders of the American Diabetes Association and academic institutions have urged caution in attributing a benefit to such procedures in the absence of convincing scientific data."

For more information and talking points about the relationship between diabetes and bariatric surgery, download the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery's recently released diabetes statement (PDF).