Towers Watson said the rising tide of obesity is an increasingly global phenomenon, although few countries have embraced bariatric surgery in the same way as the United States. The broker said the procedure presents “a major opportunity for insurers in Europe”, says the global firm, provided, of course, they are aware of the risks involved.

It released details of an industry-funded study on the economic impact of interventions reveals significant cost savings can be expected to start accruing after 25 months for patients undergoing bariatric surgery.

Another study suggests that giving obese workers bariatric surgery could lead to productivity improvements giving annual savings of $506 per person. Towers Watson  said it “anticipates this will have an impact for insurers and reinsurers who underwrite workers’ compensation and employee health programmes”.

Ross Howard, COO Europe of Towers Watson’s reinsurance brokerage, said: “Despite the fact that bariatric surgery appears to provide major benefits for the insurance industry, particularly in terms of cutting medical costs in the mid to long term, insurers have been slow to follow suit.”

According to Towers Watson, the implication for insurers is that the sooner bariatric treatment takes place, the quicker the insurer can start recouping the costs instead of continuing to support long-term care. Like any surgical intervention, however, bariatric surgery carries the risk of potentially major complications that are of concern to health practitioners and insurers. Over the years, the United States has developed a significant pool of bariatric surgery expertise and any insurers looking to develop cover in other markets would be wise to learn from this experience.

Mr Howard said: “With the increasing trend in morbid obesity, specialists are telling us that insurers cannot afford not to fund bariatric surgery. This is an intervention that has a significant return on investment for health plan underwriters and one where the risks are falling in line with growing medical experience and new and improved techniques.

“The fact that such procedures are relatively untouched by insurers outside of the United States offers the potential for competitive differentiation in other markets.”