When the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) endorses a procedure or device, it is making a deliberate, evidence-based determination that the procedure meets defined standards for safety, efficacy, and appropriate use within the continuum of obesity care.
An ASMBS endorsement does not declare a procedure to be “the best” or superior to all others. Instead, it recognizes the procedure as an accepted and legitimate option that may be appropriate for certain patients when performed by trained providers. Endorsement reflects ASMBS’s role in supporting responsible innovation, clinical choice, and patient-centered care.
Supporting Patient Access and Coverage
One of the most essential impacts of ASMBS endorsement is its role in payer advocacy. Endorsement enables ASMBS to formally engage with insurance companies and policymakers to secure coverage for procedures that meet professional society standards. This advocacy directly benefits patients by expanding access to evidence-based treatments that might otherwise be unavailable due to lack of coverage.
Without endorsement, payers often categorize procedures as investigational, regardless of available data or clinical experience. Endorsement helps move procedures into a framework where coverage discussions are possible, informed, and grounded in clinical evidence.
Establishing Education, Training, and Clinical Guidance
Endorsement also enables ASMBS to:
- Develop and offer education and training for members who wish to begin performing the procedure.
- Establish clinical guidelines and best-practice recommendations to promote consistency, safety, and quality of care.
- Support appropriate patient selection, informed consent, and longitudinal follow-up.
This structure benefits both experienced providers and those seeking to add a new tool to their clinical practice responsibly.
A Tool in the Toolbox
Endorsement acknowledges that obesity is a complex, chronic disease and that no single procedure is appropriate for every patient. By endorsing a procedure, ASMBS is stating that it is one of many tools that qualified providers may use to deliver individualized, evidence-based care.
The Society recognizes that thoughtful debate exists within our membership. While the majority of survey respondents supported endorsement, we also respect the strong perspectives of those who raised concerns. Endorsement reflects ASMBS’s responsibility to balance innovation, evidence, patient access, and clinical judgment while continually evaluating emerging data and outcomes.
ASMBS remains committed to supporting its members, advancing safe and effective obesity care, and ensuring that patients have access to appropriate treatment options delivered within accredited, high-quality programs