Background: This study compared pre- and post-surgical data and outcomes among gastric bypass patients based on the type of insurance (Medicaid, Medicare, or private).
Methods: Data were examined from 2553 consecutive RYGB patients at a rural ASMBS Center of Excellence.
Results: Participants were primarily female (80.5 %), Caucasian (97.1 %), and middle-aged (45.9 years). Medicaid patients' BMI at consultation was significantly higher than the other two groups (p < 0.001). Time to surgery was significantly longer for Medicaid (13.2 %) and Medicare (7.1 %) patients compared with privately insured patients (p < 0.001). Pre-surgical weight loss and post-surgical percent of excess weight loss nadir did not differ among the groups. Type 2 diabetes remission rates were comparable across insurance groups.
Conclusions: Medicaid patients, although demographically different from their privately insured and Medicare counterparts, will benefit from surgery with comparable weight loss results and overall diabetes remission rates.