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Losing weight with GLI reimbursed by your health insurance (under certain conditions)

Losing weight with GLI reimbursed by your health insurance (under certain conditions)

If you are overweight and are looking for help to lose weight, you may qualify for a combined lifestyle intervention. This is called GLI for short.

GLI is a program where you will receive guidance to eat healthier, exercise more and put the bad habits aside. A combined lifestyle intervention is also reimbursed from the basic insurance of your health insurance. At least this is the case if you meet a few conditions. In addition, if you are slightly overweight, you can also consult a weight consultant. This is only reimbursed by your health insurance if you have taken out additional insurance.

What is combined lifestyle intervention?

Combined lifestyle intervention is a program that can help you lose weight. Its main purpose is to lower your health risks. You will be guided during the program. This encourages you to exercise more and eat healthier. The GLI counselors also help you to change some habits. There are various healthcare professionals who offer a combined lifestyle intervention. This includes lifestyle consultants, physiotherapists and nutritionists. You can follow a combined lifestyle intervention program with one specialist, although it is also possible to deploy several specialists during this program. The care providers must, however, meet specific requirements.

What does combined lifestyle intervention look like?

GLI is a two-year program. It consists of two phases. The first part of one lasts six months to a year. Then comes the maintenance phase. During GLI you follow sessions and that can be done individually or in a group. During the first phase, your behaviour, diet and exercise pattern will be looked at. The maintenance phase is actually used to maintain your new habits and that is very important in the long term.

Is GLI reimbursed from the basic insurance of your health care policy?

Since 2019, the basic insurance reimburses a combined lifestyle intervention. However, not everyone can make use of such reimbursement from the health care policy. This is only possible for adults with a health risk caused by being overweight. Unfortunately, other people are not eligible for this. The health insurers look at your BMI and your waist circumference. You must also fall into one of three groups to be eligible for treatment. For example, you must be an adult with a BMI of 30 or higher or an adult with a BMI of 25 to 30 and have an increased risk of type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular disease. Adults with a BMI of 25 to 30 and with a large waist circumference can also receive a reimbursement.

Is the weight consultant also reimbursed?

Do you not have an indication for a combined lifestyle intervention? You can still go to a weight consultant. Only people who are healthy can be treated by a weight loss consultant. So you should not have any conditions or take any medication. In addition, it is also good to know that basic insurance does not cover the costs of a weight consultant. It is possible to take out additional insurance for this, but you must pay close attention to the cover. Taking out supplementary insurance is not always cheaper.

– This article is a partner contribution of Overstappen.nl –