Obesity: A Disease

In this episode of Obesity: A Disease, Dr. Suzanne Cuda, Executive Editor of the Obesity Medicine Association’s Obesity Pillars online journal, interviews Dr. Alaina Vidmar and Dr. Valerie O’Hara about their co-authored article, Using EPSDT to Improve Access to Obesity Pharmacotherapy, published in Obesity Pillars. Together they discuss using the federally mandated Medicated provision, Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) to access coverage for obesity treatment of youth in Medicaid programs. Episode Guests: Alaina Vidmar, MD Valerie O’Hara, DO, FAAP, FOMA, DABOM Episode Host: Suzanne Cuda, MD, FOMA, FAAP Related Resources: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667368126000422  Chapters (00:00:01) - Introduction and guest introductions(00:02:51) - What is EPSDT?(00:03:38) - Motivation for the review and personal experiences(00:06:58) - Navigating state vs federal Medicaid rules(00:10:17) - Why obesity deserves EPSDT-based treatment(00:13:05) - Fighting bias and stigma through EPSDT(00:13:51) - Finding resources and champions in your state(00:17:44) - Practical steps: denials, appeals, and letters of necessity(00:19:35) - Variability and challenges across insurers(00:22:29) - Transition to adulthood and coverage gaps(00:24:26) - Using comorbidities and creative coverage strategies(00:28:10) - Advocacy: crafting effective appeal letters(00:31:39) - Case study: dose escalation denial example(00:34:32) - Systemic barriers and future data collection(00:37:35) - Comparing EPSDT to Bridge and Balance programs(00:39:36) - Closing thoughts and thanks

In this episode, Obesity Medicine Specialist and OMA Clinical Education Director Dr. Nicholas Pennings is joined by Dr. Courtney Younglove to explore OMA’s new Practice Management Algorithm, a practical resource designed to help clinicians navigate the business and operational complexities of obesity medicine practice. The conversation examines the gaps the Practice Management Algorithm was developed to address, how its eight practice management domains can support clinicians across a variety of practice models and career stages, and how the resource can be used to tackle real-world operational and financial challenges. Episode Guest: Courtney Younglove, MD, MSCP, DABOM, FOMA, FACOG, DABOM, Primary Author of the OMA's Practice Management Algorithm Episode Host: Nicholas Pennings, DO, DABOM, MFOMA, FACOFP, FAAFP Chapters (00:00:01) - Obesity a Disease: Practice Management Algorithm(00:01:35) - How to start and grow a medical practice with obesity medicine(00:03:18) - The Practice Management Algorithm for Obesity Medicine(00:06:29) - The Pediatric Outcomes of the ACA(00:07:44) - The role of pediatrics in the health system(00:08:26) - Practice Management Algorithm(00:12:09) - Post-Doctor: The Challenges of Starting a Business(00:13:50) - Obstructive Medicine Practice Management Algorithm(00:22:00) - Obesity a Disease: The Conference Document

In this episode, Obesity Medicine Specialist and OMA Clinical Education Director Dr. Nicholas Pennings is joined by Dr. Tracy Norfleet and Dr. Alicia Shellly to discuss how the rapidly evolving landscape of access, insurance coverage, and health equity is shaping obesity care in 2026. Together, they explore the impact of Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial insurance policies on health equity and discuss strategies to ensure advances in obesity care benefit all patients. Episode Guests: Tracy Norfleet, MD, DABOM Alicia Shelly MD, DABOM Episode Host: Nicholas Pennings, DO, DABOM, MFOMA, FACOFP, FAAFP Chapters (00:00:01) - Obesity a Disease: Medical Coverage(00:01:35) - Two physicians discuss obesity and the treatment of obesity patients(00:02:33) - Obesity medication coverage in 2026(00:05:26) - Obesity Health Care Disparities(00:08:45) - How to address weight bias in healthcare(00:13:05) - Obesity Medications Coverage(00:21:51) - Obesity and medical documentation(00:25:14) - Obesity Medicine: Advocacy for Patients

In this episode, Obesity Medicine Specialist and OMA Clinical Education Director Dr. Nicholas Pennings is joined by Co-Clinical Education Director, Dr. Kirsten Frederiksen, together, they unpack the physiology behind rapid weight regain after stopping obesity medications, explore the most effective dietary and lifestyle strategies for long-term weight maintenance, and discuss how clinicians can reframe the conversation with patients from the very start of treatment. Episode Guest: Kirsten Frederiksen, MD, MSc, FACP, FOMA, DABOM Episode Host: Nicholas Pennings, DO, DABOM, MFOMA, FACOFP, FAAFP Chapters (00:00:01) - Nutrition for Weight Maintenance after medication(00:01:13) - Weight maintenance is a chronic disease(00:10:12) - Weight regain after lapidomycin therapy(00:14:25) - Physical Activity and Weight Maintenance(00:19:07) - Weight Maintenance with obese patients(00:23:49) - Weight maintenance, 3 nutritional principles(00:26:22) - Obesity a Disease

In this episode, Obesity Medicine Specialist and OMA Clinical Education Director Dr. Nicholas Pennings sits down with Dr. Renee Rogers for an insightful discussion on the critical role of muscle preservation during weight loss therapy. Together, they explore the latest evidence surrounding lean mass retention and share practical, evidence-based strategies clinicians can apply to help patients maintain muscle, enhance metabolic health, and achieve more sustainable treatment outcomes. Episode Guest: Renee Rogers, PhD, FACSM, FTOS, and Chair of ACSM’s Strategic Health Initiative (SHI) for Behavior and Chair of ACSM’s International Health & Fitness Summit Episode Host: Nicholas Pennings, DO, DABOM, MFOMA, FACOFP, FAAFP