Frequently Asked Questions

• Why choose Egea?
• What will my visits cost me?
• What is a BMI?
• What is bariatric medicine?
• What does body composition analysis entail?
• Is medically-supervised weight loss right for me?
• Do I have to use meal replacements?
• Will my health insurance cover my visits?

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Why choose Egea?

When it comes to weight loss, safety is the biggest concern. At Egea, you are examined and monitored by our highly trained physician during every visit.  Decisions made regarding your care and progress are done so with the expert knowledge of a medical professional. We are dedicated to your safety and long term success.

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 do not cover obesity 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 bariatric 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 "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.

What does body composition analysis entail?

Body composition analysis is the clinical assesment 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 instructions: no alcohol consumption within 24 hours prior to your first visit, 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 permanent weight loss. This of course requires permanent behavior, dietary and lifestyle changes on your part for complete success. If you are committed to making the final and necessary steps toward permanent 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 staff will provide you with all of the appropriate medical and diagnostic documentation to submit to your carrier 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.

Please inquire about financing as we plan to use Carecredit in the near future for some of our services.